Cerebral vascular accidents & cerebral insufficiencies, mental retardation in children, behaviour & psychotic problems in old age, memory deficits.
Piracetam is a 'nootrope', that is to say, it is a psychotropic agent which acts directly on the brain to improve the efficacy of the telencephalon in both normal subjects and those suffering from some functional deficit. This area of the brain is involved in cognition and also has a role to play in learning and memory, in alertness and in consciousness. Piracetam does not produce either sedation or stimulation. Piracetam can act on the central nervous system in a variety of ways. It will modify neurotransmission within the brain, and can help to improve the metabolic environment essential for good neuronal function. It is also a haemorrheological agent and can improve microcirculation without producing vasodialation. When given as acute or long term treatment for patients' suffering from a functional CNS deficit, it will heighten alertness and increase cognitive function. This changes can seen as a significant increase in the a-and b-activity, with a reduction in d-activity on an EEG trace. Piracetam will protect and restore cognitive functional capacity for cerebral trauma, e.g. hypoxia or intoxication, and after electroshock therapy. Piracetam may be given alone or together with other drugs when treating myoclonia due to anoxia. It will reduce the duration of vestibular nystagamus. Piracetam will also improve regional oxygen and glucose uptake in the brain in patients suffering from dementia subsequent to multiple infarcts, or in those with cerebral ischaemia. Piracetam will inhibit the increased aggregation of activated platelets and, in conditions where there is abnormal rigidity of the RBC, it can restore deformability and the ability to pass through the microvasculature.
Adults: One tablet (800 mg) 3 times a day. Children: 50 mg/kg of body weight in 3 divided doses.
In a single case, confusion, irritability and sleep disorders were reported in concomitant use with thyroid extract. At present, no interaction has been observed with the following anti-epileptic drugs, clonazepam, carbamazepine, phenyton, phenobarbitone and sodium valporate, based on a small number of studies.
Severe renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance < 20 ml/min), hepatic impairment & those under 16 years of age.
Nervousness, agitation, irritability, anxiety & sleep disturbances. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea & stomachache, vertigo, headache, trembling & sexual stimulation have occasionally been reported.
Drug levels in the newborn are approximately 70% to 90% of maternal levels. Piracetam should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary, when benefit exceeds the risks and the clinical condition of the pregnant mother requires treatment with piracetam. Piracetam is excreted in human breast milk.
Store in a cool and dry place at a temperature below 30˚C, Keep away from sunlight. Keep out of the reach of children.
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