Piracetam

People commonly use piracetam for breath-holding attacks, epilepsy , dizziness, dyslexia, surgery to improve blood flow to the heart , and a movement disorder often caused by antipsychotic drugs (tardive dyskinesia ). It is also used for Alzheimer disease , autism, dementia , depression , memory, schizophrenia, sickle cell disease , and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Breath-holding attacks . Taking piracetam by mouth reduces breath-holding attacks in young children. Surgery to improve blood flow to the heart (CABG surgery) . Taking piracetam by mouth or by IV around the time of CABG surgery helps with memory and thinking skills after surgery. IV products can only be given by a healthcare provider. A learning disorder marked by difficulty reading (dyslexia) . Taking piracetam by mouth improves some reading skills in children with dyslexia. Seizure disorder (epilepsy) . Taking piracetam by mouth reduces some symptoms of epilepsy in some patients who are also taking antiseizure drugs. A movement disorder often caused by antipsychotic drugs (tardive dyskinesia) . Taking piracetam by mouth can reduce some symptoms of tardive dyskinesia. Cocaine use disorder : Piracetam seems to increase cocaine use in people who are addicted to cocaine and are trying to quit. Until more is known, do not use piracetam if you have cocaine use disorder. Epilepsy : Stopping piracetam or decreasing the dose of piracetam might increase the number of seizures in people with epilepsy. If you have epilepsy, only use piracetam under the care of a healthcare provider. Huntington disease : Piracetam seems to increase symptoms in people with Huntington disease. Until more is known, do not use piracetam if you have Huntington disease. Kidney problems : Piracetam is removed from the body by the kidneys. Talk to a healthcare provider before using piracetam if you have kidney problems. Surgery : Piracetam might slow blood clotting. This might result in too much bleeding if it is used before surgery. Stop taking piracetam at least 2 weeks before surgery. Piracetam might slow blood clotting. Taking piracetam along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding. May BH, Yang AW, Zhang AL, et al. Chinese herbal medicine for mild cognitive impairment and age associated memory impairment: a review of randomised controlled trials. Biogerontology 2009;10(2):109-23. Malykh AG, Sadaie MR. Piracetam and piracetam-like drugs: from basic science to novel clinical applications to CNS disorders. Drugs 2010;70(3):287-312. Lobaugh NJ, Karaskov V, Rombough V, et al. Piracetam therapy does not enhance cognitive functioning in children with down syndrome. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2001;155(4):442-8. Koskiniemi M, Van Vleymen B, Hakamies L, et al. Piracetam relieves symptoms in progressive myoclonus epilepsy: a multicentre, randomised, double blind, crossover study comparing the efficacy and safety of three dosages of oral piracetam with placebo. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1998;64(3):344-8. Winblad B. Piracetam: a review of pharmacological properties and clinical uses. CNS Drug Rev. 2005;11(2):169-82. Winnicka K, Tomasiak M, Bielawska A. Piracetam--an old drug with novel properties? Acta Pol Pharm. 2005;62(5):405-9. Neznamov GG, Teleshova ES. Comparative studies of Noopept and piracetam in the treatment of patients with mild cognitive disorders in organic brain diseases of vascular and traumatic origin. Neurosci Behav Physiol. 2009;39(3):311-21. Ricci S, Celani MG, Cantisani TA, Righetti E. Piracetam for acute ischaemic stroke. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012 Sep 12;(9):CD000419. Psillas G, Pavlidis P, Karvelis I, et al. Potential efficacy of early treatment of acute acoustic trauma with steroids and piracetam after gunshot noise. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2008;265(12):1465-9. Chen SY, Liu JW, Wang YH, et al. The conditions under which piracetam is used and the