Monograph: |
Piracetam
Adverse Effects and Precautions
Piracetam is reported to produce insomnia or somnolence.
weight gain, nervousness, and depression. Diarrhoea and
rashes may occur at a lower frequency. Piracetam should not
be given to patients with hepatic dysfunction or severe renal
impairment: dosage reductions are recommended for patients
with lesser degrees of renal impairment. Therapy with pira-
cetam should not be withdrawn abruptly.
Interactions
Anticoagulants. Prothrombin time was increased in a pa-
tient stabilised on warfarin when treatment with piracetam
was started.
Uses and Administration
Piracetam acts on the CNS and has been described as a βnoo-
Tropicβ and is said to protect the cerebral cortex against hy-
poxia. It is used as an adjunct in the treatment of myoclonus
of cortical origin. It has also been used in dementia. Other so-
called cerebro-cortical insufficiency disorders or states in
which it has been tried include after trauma or surgery, alco-
holism, vertigo, cerebrovascular accidents, and behavioural
disorders in children.
Piracetam has been given for cerebro-cortical insufficiency
disorders in doses of 800 to 1000 mg three times daily by
mouth. In severe disorders it has been given by intramuscular
or intravenous injection. In myoclonus, piracetam is given in
doses of 7.2 g daily increasing by 4.8 g per day every 3 to 4
days up to a maximum of 20 g daily. It is given by mouth in 2
or 3 divided doses. Once the optimal dose of piracetam has
been established, attempts should be made to reduce the dose
of concurrent therapy.
Piracetam is reported to inhibit platelet aggregation and re-
duce blood viscosity at high doses.
Neurological disorders. DEMENTIA. Although piracetam
has been used in the treatment of senile dementia and Aizhe-
imer's disease there is little convincing evidence of
efficacy.
MYOCLONUS. In a review' of case reports (62), open studies
(3), and double-blind studies (2). the authors concluded that
piracetam is beneficial in the treatment of disabling myo-
clonus either as adjunctive treatment or as monotherapy.
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