Piracetam is a drug to treat cognitive decline, such as the ability to think, remember, and solve problems, as well as adjunctive therapy for certain movement disorders, such as cortical myoclonus. This medicine should only be used with a doctor's prescription.
Piracetam affects the brain and nervous system by protecting the cerebral cortex from being deprived of oxygen. The cerebral cortex is a part of the brain that has an important role in managing the ability to move the body.
Piracetam trademark: Piracetam, Benocetam, Cervas, Cetoros, Chepamed, Ciclobrain, Cytropil, Dexpira, Fepiram, Galtropil, Gotropil, Gracetam, Latropil, Mersitropil, Neurocet, Neurotam, Notrotam, Noocephal, Nootrisol, Pirabrain, Pratropil, Resibron, Revolan, Sevotam
What is Piracetam?
| group | Nootropic and neurotonic/neurotropic drug groups |
| Category | Prescription drugs |
| Benefit | Improve cognitive function in patients with dementia and improve motor skills in patients with cortical myoclonus |
| Consumed by | Mature |
| Piracetam for pregnant and lactating women | Category B: Studies in animal studies have not shown any risk to the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. Piracetam can be absorbed into breast milk. Therefore, it should not be used during breastfeeding. |
| Drug form | Tablets, capsules, syrups and injections |
Warnings Before Using Piracetam:
- Do not use piracetam if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in this medicine.
- Piracetam should not be used in patients with hemorrhagic stroke, kidney disease, or Huntington's chorea.
- Piracetam should not be used in children under 16 years of age.
- Be careful using piracetam if you have a history of liver disease, blood clotting disorders and bleeding in the digestive tract.
- Tell your doctor if you are on a low-salt diet, because piracetam has sodium in it.
- Tell your doctor if you are on thyroid hormone therapy or if you plan to have surgery, including dental surgery.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
- In case of an allergic reaction to the drug or an overdose, see a doctor immediately.
Dosage and Use of Piracetam
The dose of piracetam depends on the patient's condition. Here's the piracetam dosage based on the condition you're trying to treat:
Tadjunctive treatment of cortical myoclonus
Drug form: drink/inject
Dosage: 7.2 grams per day, divided into 2-3 times a day. The dose can be increased by 4.8 grams every 3-4 days. The maximum dose is 24 grams per day.
Gcognitive impairment
Drug form: drink/inject
Dosage: 2.4 grams per day, divided into 2-3 times a day. In severe conditions, the dose can be increased to 4.8 grams per day.
The dose of piracetam in the form of injection or injection will be given by a doctor at the hospital.
How to Use Piracetam Correctly
Be sure to always read the instructions on the medicine package and follow the doctor's recommendations for taking piracetam.
Take piracetam tablets/capsules with a glass of water. Swallow piracetam capsules/tablets whole without crushing them first. If you have difficulty swallowing piracetam tablets/capsules, tell your doctor to prescribe piracetam in syrup form.
If you forget to take piracetam, do it as soon as you remember if the break with the next consumption schedule is not too close. If it is close, ignore it and do not double the dose.
Piracetam injection should only be given by a doctor or medical officer under the supervision of a doctor.
Do not increase the dose or stop taking the drug without consulting your doctor first. Stopping piracetam suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms or cause a relapse.
While taking this drug, check with your doctor regularly so that your condition can be monitored.
Piracetam Interactions with Other Drugs
Piracetam will increase the effect of anticoagulant drugs, so it can cause side effects of bleeding. Piracetam can also cause sleep disturbances when taken together thyroid extract.
In addition to the above medicines, consult your doctor about using piracetam with the following medicines to avoid unwanted interactions:
- silostazol
- Clopidogrel
- Dipyridamole
- Eptifibatid
- Levothyroxine
- liothyronine
- Prasugrel
- Ticlopidine
- Tirofiban
Piracetam Side Effects and Dangers
People react to a drug differently. Some of the side effects that may arise from the use of piracetam are:
- Worried
- Weight gain
- Easily sleepy or feeling tired
- Stomach ache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Depression
- Bleeding
- Insomnia
- Balance disorders
See a doctor immediately if you experience the above side effects or if you have an allergic reaction to the drug, such as an itchy rash, swelling of the eyelids and lips, and difficulty breathing.