Piracetam

Category: nootropic

Aliases: Nootropil, Myocalm

Pharmacological Mechanism

Prototype racetam (Giurgea 1964). Modulates AMPA glutamate receptors, increases membrane fluidity, improves cortical blood flow. Weak cognitive effect in normal subjects; moderate effect in cognitive impairment / post-stroke.

Half-Life (t½)

PO: 5h

Dosing Guidelines

• PO: Typical 2.67 g (Range: 1.6–4.8 g)

Target Organ Systems

• nervous

Interactions

• Alpha-GPC / choline (synergistic): Co-supplementation prevents the racetam-induced headache common in choline-deficient users.

Pathways It Modulates

• AMPA + kainate glutamate receptor modulation (activator) — AMPA (modest allosteric) + cholinergic facilitation

Chemical Identifiers

• PubChem CID: 4843
• Formula: C6H10N2O2
• Molecular weight: 142.16 g/mol
• InChIKey: GMZVRMREEHBGGF-UHFFFAOYSA-N
• SMILES: C1CC(=O)N(C1)CC(=O)N

References

• PMID 16007238
• PMID 41851591