10 popular nootropic drugs

Means and preparations

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

In medicine, there are drugs that perform a specific function (for example, kill microbes, lower blood pressure, reduce the secretion of fluid into the intestinal lumen). But there is a whole group of tools that allow you to improve the functions of the body that are difficult to accurate statistics and measurement. We are talking about the so-called higher mental functions. Concepts such as mental activity, learning ability, brain resistance to harmful influences are multifaceted and complex.

That is why drugs for improving higher nervous activity are so ambiguously evaluated by the world medical community. There is no doubt that a number of these drugs can improve the metabolism of neurons, their absorption of glucose, improve the state of their cell membranes, and reduce their need for oxygen. It is believed that nootropic drugs (nootropics) can improve the learning process and memory, give clarity of consciousness and 'tenacity to attention', reduce the exhaustion of the nervous system and increase the time of the ability to work actively.

Also, nootropic drugs can increase the activity of attention and thinking, improve speech. In some cases, they activate and have an antidepressant effect, and some of these agents, on the contrary, soothe, reduce irritability, and help reduce the seizure activity of the brain.

Such a multifaceted and wide field of activity for nootropic drugs has made it possible to prescribe them in domestic medicine for a variety of diseases and conditions. These are dementia and parkinsonism, the consequences of neuroinfections and traumatic brain injury, decreased concentration and fatigue in healthy people during a session of intense study, chronic alcoholism and neuroses. Finally, nootropic pills are taken to improve the quality of sleep, and simply for prevention in view of the forthcoming active mental stress.

Nootropics are also widely used in pediatric practice. In our country, they are first-line drugs, and are included in the review of drugs that treat delayed speech and mental development, the consequences of perinatal trauma, are used in complex therapy in the treatment of cerebral palsy and in the treatment of mild forms of mental retardation.

From the point of view of Western, evidence-based medicine, which requires a quantitative calculation of effectiveness, in practice everything is far from so simple, but we will talk about this at the end of our review. And now, the most popular and sold in Russia nootropic medicines, which are mainly produced in tablets, will be presented to your attention.

Review of nootropic drugs

Nomination a place Name of product price
Review of nootropic drugs 1 Piracetam (Lucetam, Nootropil, Memotropil) 270 RUB
2 Phenotropil (Phenylpiracetam, Karphedon) RUB 519
3 Encephabol 988 RUB
4 Glycine RUB 50
5 Semax 391 RUB
6 Cerebrolysin RUB 1,100
7 Cortexin 837 RUB
8 Mexidol (meksiprim) RUB 290
9 Cytoflavin 472 r
10 Pantogam 414 RUB

Piracetam (Lucetam, Nootropil, Memotropil)

Popularity rating: 4.9

Nootropil

The most famous of the old nootropics, namely Piracetam, opens the review of tablets for improving mental abilities. As evidenced by the official instructions for use, Piracetam is indicated for almost 50 different diagnoses and conditions, ranging from mental retardation and cerebral infarction, and ending simply with old age and vascular dementia, such a volume in itself is doubtful. By its chemical structure, Piracetam is a derivative of gamma-aminobutyric acid.

It can be assumed that Piracetam is used in Russia for almost any problems associated with higher nervous activity, and it is contraindicated only for hypersensitivity, with Huntington's chorea, and in children under 3 years of age. A history of intracerebral hemorrhage or hemorrhagic stroke, taking anticoagulants and chronic renal failure can be considered a limitation to the use of this nootropic agent.

This nootropic is used in tablets inside, as well as intramuscularly. Piracetam is produced in capsules of 400 mg, the packaging is very different – from 10 capsules to 200. At the beginning of treatment, 2 capsules are prescribed 3 times a day before meals, then the dose is gradually reduced by half, to one tablet three times a day. You should focus on a daily dose not exceeding 160 mg per kilogram of body weight. Piracetam is produced by a very large number of domestic and foreign companies, and the cheapest tablets can be purchased already for 30 rubles, 20 capsules

Advantages and disadvantages

The disadvantages of the nootropic Piracetam include the fact (but very important) that after many years of its use in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) removed it from the list of drugs and downgraded its status to dietary supplements, for lack of evidence-based effectiveness. The advantages of the nootropic include good tolerance, ease of release form, inexpensive cost, and availability in almost every Russian pharmacy, which does not guarantee anything in terms of effectiveness.

Phenotropil (Phenylpiracetam, Karphedon)

Popularity rating: 4.8

Phenotropil

Phenotropil is also a 'record holder' for indications: the official instruction lists about 60 conditions and diagnoses. It turns out that this nootropic agent is used for obesity and dementia, schizophrenia with alcoholism, depression and Parkinson's disease, epilepsy and even multiple sclerosis, seizures, intracranial injuries and in connection with problems associated with adaptation to lifestyle changes. In other words, if the doctor advised you to quit drinking and smoking, then this will already be an indication for the appointment of Phenotropil. By itself, this medicine, according to the manufacturer, has an anticonvulsant, nootropic, antiasthenic and neuromodulatory effect, and it should be taken after meals in a dose of 100 to 250 mg. Adults and healthy people, for prevention purposes, need 100 or 200 mg in the morning. This remedy is not recommended to be taken after 15:00 due to its energizing effect and possible sleep impairment. Tablets of 100 mg, produced by the nootropic domestic company Valenta Pharmaceuticals.

Advantages and disadvantages

Perhaps the advantages of nootropic pills include its disadvantage – a short-term invigorating effect, but this effect is precisely the reason that Phenotropil is banned by the anti-doping committee. In domestic practice, this nootropic is used relatively widely, but in the developed countries of Europe and the United States, it is unknown and not used. The official world health organization (WHO) does not have recommendations for its use, as well as a serious evidence base.

Encephabol

Popularity rating: 4.8

Encephabol

Encephabol, or pyritinol, is a kind of nootropic drug that contains a vitamin B6 derivative. As you know, vitamin B6 itself, or pyridoxine, which is produced in the form of hydrochloride, together with thiamine, or vitamin B1, and cyanocobalamin, or vitamin B12, constitute a group of neurotropic vitamins, and are widely used in clinical practice. Encephabol is indicated, according to the manufacturer, for various forms of dementia, mental retardation, impaired memory, attention and orientation, with the consequences of traumatic brain injury.

The nootropic drug is available in 100 mg tablets and a suspension for oral administration. Adults need to take 2 tablets or 2 teaspoons three times a day, and newborns can be prescribed it already from the 3rd day after birth, 1 ml per day. According to the manufacturer, therapeutic success is achieved after a month, and the optimal effect is achieved after 3 months. This nootropic is produced by the Austrian company Merck, and this drug costs about 800 rubles. for one package of suspension in 200 ml.

Advantages and disadvantages

The negative aspects of Encephabol include the lack of an evidence base for each of the stated indications, or at least a serious study on one of them with a high level of reliability, and, perhaps, individual intolerance. On the positive side of the nootropic is the rare development of this intolerance.

Glycine

Popularity rating: 4.7

Glycine

Glycine is truly a popular and cheap drug. It is used under the tongue or dissolves before bedtime, it is prescribed for children and adults to improve memory, performance, it is prescribed in large quantities to patients after a stroke. From the point of view of biochemistry, glycine, or glycocol, is the simplest amino acid that is part of almost any protein, including many proteins in our body. Also, glycine is a neurotransmitter, or a carrier of certain signals inside the brain.

This popular love (good demand) pushed so many manufacturers to combine glycine with magnesium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and so on. These tablets are usually taken to relieve tension, ease sleep, and are taken sublingually for sucking, in tablets or as a powder after the tablet has been crushed. For adults, it is shown one to two tablets immediately before falling asleep, and for other disorders of the nervous system, the instruction prescribes a specific dosage regimen. The cheapest domestic glycine can be bought starting from 19 rubles. for 50 tablets.

Advantages and disadvantages

All nootropics have one drawback, but extremely important: there is no evidence that they are effective. Yes, glycine is a neurotransmitter. But the fact is that a neurotransmitter, in order to regulate delicate relationships in the central nervous system, must be produced in it, like acetylcholine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. There will be no benefit if the neurotransmitter in large quantities comes from the intestines along with food to the brain in quantities hundreds of times higher than the required concentration, or is absorbed into the sublingual vessels. There is a blood-brain barrier, which prohibits bringing into the 'holy of holies' of the organism, its command room and control apparatus everything that is indiscriminately absorbed from the stomach. That is why glycine, which is administered through the mouth, practically does not enter the central nervous system and does not work there as a mediator, and there are no modern evidence-based studies on it. In other words, there are biological and chemical (in vitro) effects from glycine, but therapeutic ones are invisible and not proven.

A positive, and, of course, worthy effect of these pills is sometimes a rapid onset of calm, physiological sleep in those impressionable subjects who firmly believe in the healing power of glycine. Therefore, glycine may well be such an inexpensive and effective placebo, or a dummy, the whole power of which is based on the patient's faith.

Semax

Popularity rating: 4.7

Semax

Semax is no longer one amino acid, but as many as 7 amino acid residues, synthesized into one short chain. The medicine is produced in the form of nasal drops, at a concentration of 0, 1, or 1%. This synthetic protein sequence repeats one of the fragments of adrenocorticotropic hormone, but lacks hormonal activity. According to the manufacturer, this drug also has a nootropic, antioxidant, and cerebroprotective effect, and due to the original absorption mechanism can be used in ophthalmology, while after 4 minutes the agent penetrates into the structures of the central nervous system, and the therapeutic effect even with a single administration lasts a day. Manufacturers have established different dosage regimen. So, with damage to the optic nerve, the funds are instilled into each nasal passage three times a day, and for the prevention of stress – one drop in each nasal passage twice a day.

Manufacturers recommend using drops for the entire spectrum of cognitive disorders, the consequences of stroke, encephalopathy, for the prevention of mental fatigue, and for enhancing adaptive capabilities. Contraindications include individual intolerance, pregnancy and lactation, psychosis and seizures, as well as age up to 5 years. This nootropic drug is produced by the domestic ZAO Peptogen, and is not cheap – in a dosage of 0.1% from 350 rubles; and at a dosage of 1% – 1750 rubles will have to be paid for 3 ml.

Advantages and disadvantages

The disadvantage of Semax is the lack of a clear mechanism of action inherent in all nootropics, randomized clinical trials, and its complete unknown in Western Europe and the United States, and the silence about Semax by the World Health Organization (WHO). Against this background, the price of almost 2000 rubles is rather doubtful. for a large dosage, but the fact that Semax has practically no symptoms of overdose and drug interaction is somewhat reassuring, and he is unlikely to be able to harm.

Cerebrolysin

Popularity rating: 4.7

Cerebrolysin

Nootropic Cerebrolysin is a biological drug, that is, a whole complex of protein-like peptides that are obtained from the brain of pigs. In general, the belief that nootropic drugs from the brain of animals help the human brain is analogous to the ancient beliefs that a strong enemy you eat will make you just as strong. In domestic practice, Cerebrolysin is also prescribed for various types of cerebral circulation disorders, with the consequences of a stroke, with mental retardation, dementia, with the consequences of traumatic brain injuries.

Cerebrolysin is produced in ampoules, the most popular dosage is 5 ml, five ampoules in one package. Cerebrolysin is produced in some cases by foreign companies, but by order of a Russian manufacturer and for the domestic market. The cost of one package of Cerebrolysin starts at 915 rubles.

A little about the price of the issue: the manufacturer recommends the optimal course of administration of the nootropic drug in the form of daily injections or infusions, and the course duration is usually 2 weeks on average. In this case, single doses, which are recommended, for intramuscular administration should not exceed 5 ml, for intravenous bolus administration, that is, immediately – 10 ml, and by setting an intravenous infusion slowly drip – up to 50 ml per day, for example, with a stroke, and with consequences brain injury. Thus, even after a slight concussion of the brain, no one will forbid the patient to drip the drug for 1800 rubles every day, if we take the maximum daily dose (at the price of one ampoule of 5 ml, at least 180 rubles). Thus, for a course of treatment within two weeks of daily droppers, you can pay 27,000 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

As usual, Cerebrolysin does not have high quality clinical trials with a high level of evidence that are accepted for drug administration in Western countries. Nevertheless, he is appointed and successfully advertised throughout our country. In general, all biological preparations obtained from other creatures that are administered, including intravenously, in developed countries are either generally prohibited for import into the country or are explicitly prohibited for use, since they can carry prion infections. Even without this, it was proven in 2010 that Cerebrolysin is ineffective even in high doses for treating stroke. Whether the prescribing of this nootropic is literally beneficial to the prescribing physician remains open in this case. But we can say with confidence that such cases are not uncommon in our country.

Cortexin

Popularity rating: 4.6

Cortexin

There is nothing special to say about Cortexin, except for an extract from pig brains, a fraction from cattle was added to Cerebrolysin, and the indications for children were expanded (up to 20 kg of weight, that is, practically from birth). The manufacturer endows this nootropic drug with the ability to improve brain function, protect neurons from damage, increase their survival and resistance to stress, activate their function, and many other useful properties. In the indications, Cortexin is recommended for use in complex therapy, that is, together with any other means. The manufacturer, apparently, has reason not to trust his nootropic drug, since in monotherapy, that is, if it is used only once, there is a high risk that the effect may not be, and this will be immediately visible.

This nootropic is contraindicated only in case of individual intolerance, as well as during pregnancy and lactation. The manufacturer refers to the lack of data from clinical studies for pregnant and lactating women. But, apparently, they are not needed: Cortexin is already in demand.

The manufacturer of Cortexin is the domestic company Geropharm, and the minimum dosage of 5 mg in a bottle will cost you 540 rubles. for 10 bottles. In this case, a single dose, for example, in case of a stroke, is 2 bottles 2 times a day for 10 days, or 4 packs.

Advantages and disadvantages

The big drawback of this nootrop is the reluctance of the drug manufacturers to subject it to pharmacokinetic research, which is routine, but it turns out that the manufacturer knows perfectly well how this drug works – this is a significant advantage. Here are two quotes from the official instructions: 'the composition of the drug does not allow for the usual pharmacokinetic analysis of individual components'. And the second quote: 'The mechanism of action of Cortexin® is due to the activation of neuronal peptides and neurotrophic factors of the brain; optimization of the balance of metabolism of excitatory and inhibitory amino acids, dopamine, serotonin; GABA-ergic effects … .. '. Question: if the manufacturer cannot determine which components are in the nootropic drug, how could they conclude about its excellent effectiveness? And how is the rest of the world not yet ready to put this miracle into practice?

Mexidol (meksiprim)

Popularity rating: 4.6

Mexidol

This nootropic drug contains ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate, which is the only chemical that belongs to the group of antioxidants. As well as other nootropics, this drug is indicated for use in case of overload and mental strain, with anxiety and cognitive impairment, with neuroses, with chronic alcoholism and toxic encephalopathy, with lesions of the cerebral vessels, including in the elderly, as well as in cranial – brain injury and its consequences.

Each Mexidol tablet contains 125 mg of the active ingredient, and it should be used 1 – 2 tablets three times a day, the maximum can be used no more than 6 tablets, and the course of treatment is on average 3-4 weeks. In the case of relief of alcohol withdrawal syndrome, 7 days is quite enough. Mexidol is produced by the domestic company ZiO-Health, and one pack of 50 tablets will cost 360 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The disadvantage is the same, namely, no serious data from the standpoint of evidence-based medicine. This, of course, does not mean at all that there was no research at all. Of course, they were, but there were always few patients, there were many errors in the research, no randomization and blinding. Blindness is a prerequisite for research objectivity: Blind research is when the patient does not know if he is being given the study drug or a placebo, a dummy for comparison. Double blind is when even the doctor does not know whether he is prescribing a dummy or a drug declared in the study. Any proper research costs money, including patient insurance, and as a result, the validity and value of these Mexidol studies are highly questionable. As for other data, the nootropic drug can affect the ability to drive vehicles, and during the period of treatment it is better to refuse to drive vehicles, and in case of an overdose or at the maximum dose, drowsiness may develop.

Cytoflavin

Popularity rating: 4.5

Cytoflavin

Cytoflavin is a complex nootropic drug that contains inosine, vitamins – nicotinamide and riboflavin, and succinic acid. Pharmacological it refers to a combination of metabolic drugs, and is indicated for the effects of stroke, atherosclerosis, neurasthenia, cerebrovascular pathology. At the same time, succinic acid helps to optimize energy metabolism in the cell, nicotinamide and riboflavin are necessary for cellular respiration and stimulation of ATP synthesis, and inosine is a precursor of a high-energy compound – ATP, which is a donor of intracellular energy.

The nootropic drug should be taken 2 tablets twice a day in the morning and in the evening, but not later than 6 pm, the duration of the course is 25 days. No cases of overdose have been established, side effects can manifest themselves in the form of headache, or mild abdominal discomfort, as well as allergic reactions. The drug is contraindicated in pregnant and lactating mothers due to insufficient research. Cytoflavin is produced by the domestic company Polisan, and a package of 50 tablets will cost 360 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

Of the disadvantages of a nootropic drug, it should be noted that in essence, it is not a nootropic, since it is a combined remedy of vitamins and energy metabolites. Cytoflavin is a fairly well tolerated drug, like other nootropics, it also does not have a reliable evidence base, but subjectively, many patients, especially elderly patients, notice an improvement after parenteral administration of Cytoflavin. Whether this refers to the self-hypnosis effect, or whether the nootropic drug really helps is still unknown.

Pantogam

Popularity rating: 4.5

Pantogam

Pantogam, or hopantenic acid, according to the international classification, refers to psychostimulants and nootropic drugs. It should be used, according to the manufacturer, for very many indications, in addition to standard mental and neurological diagnoses, this acid even in the indications has 'activity limitations caused by a decrease in working capacity'. Such a too broad interpretation of indications for use (and, of course, in favor of the remedy) cannot but cause surprise.

Each tablet contains 250 mg of calcium hopantenate, and it is recommended for adults to take no more than 3 g, or 6 tablets per day, for children also no more than 3G per day. In some cases, the duration of the course of treatment may be 6 months, and after a break of 6 months, such a course may be repeated. We will not list all the detailed dosages of Pantogam in this review, we will only say that in addition to tablets of 250 and 500 mg, the drug is available in a syrup that contains 100 mg of active ingredient per 1 ml. This medicine is produced by the domestic company Peak Pharma. You can buy a bottle of syrup weighing 100 milligrams for 340 rubles, and a package of tablets with a maximum dosage of 0.5 g in an amount of 50 pieces for 470 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

It has already been said above that the disadvantage of all nootropics is at least the lack of an evidence base, which is why they are not used in developed countries of Europe, in Israel and in the USA. But the situation with the nootropic drug Pantogam is much worse. This drug was banned in Japan in the early 1990s, since it was proven that it was the intake of hopantenic acid that led to a number of fatal complications that occurred with the so-called Reye's syndrome (encephalopathy and liver damage in children and adolescents, usually after the appointment of acetylsalicylic acid ). In order not to be unfounded, we provide links to scientific works (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2063999 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3826551 https: // www .ncbi.nlm.nih.gov / pubmed / 3379435).

Conclusion, or the lucky fate of nootropics in Russia

nootropic drugs

It would be possible to cite a number of pills, and describe in detail in the rating such drugs as Picamilon, Phenibut, Phezam, Gliatilin, Aminalon, Cavinton, Ceraxon, which are positioned as a means with nootropic action. But we will not do this, because we will start repeating ourselves.

So, Picamilon also in the United States of America was not only recognized as a falsified nootropic drug, but even excluded from the list of dietary supplements. Researchers from the FDA simply analyzed tablets in which the active ingredient was in different quantities, and in one of the tablets it was not found at all. Such counterfeits are very strictly punishable by law abroad, but what is the composition of the tablets in the Russian Federation, and what machines are used at pharmaceutical factories to ensure a uniform content of the active substance in each tablet, we do not know this information, and do not even think about it.

This information that allows the reader to think about it is not at all a 'fly in the ointment'. It is no coincidence that the list of nootropics is entitled not “best” drugs, but “popular” drugs. And that's a big difference. If there is a better nootropic drug, then this means that there is a worse one, that is, there is an effect from one drug, and the least effect of another, this can be proved by the laws of mathematics and medical statistics, because the measure is efficiency.

As for nootropic drugs, they have an extremely large list of indications, which sometimes take dozens of diagnoses. Truly, many fish can be caught in troubled waters. If we compare this with serious drugs, for example for lowering cholesterol or lowering blood pressure, you will see that one or two indications for use, for example, hypertension and heart failure, are quite enough. As shown in the review, manufacturers are pulling even such diagnoses that are not indicators of a disease in the body, for example, 'adaptation disorder when changing lifestyle'.

Countries that are world leaders are trying to get rid of those drugs that cannot be proven, as well as from dishonestly acquired and 'laundered' money. Wealthy wealthy Russians go to Germany, Switzerland, Israel and the United States for treatment. And none of them with alarm thinks that there they will not be prescribed Cortexin, Cerebrolysin, or Picamilon. In the United States of America, for example, there is not a single drug approved by international recommendations to improve intellectual mnestic, or cognitive functions, both in sick and healthy people. In developed countries, nootropics are generally not registered as medicines anywhere, since they have not been tested for evidence-based efficacy.

Of course, it is better to give a nootropic drug to a patient as a magical means to stimulate the brain than to tell him boring and boring advice on how a healthy lifestyle, weight control, quitting smoking and alcohol, healthy sleep, and sports will make him healthy. People perfectly understand and feel that it is precisely such non-medicinal methods that are effective, and, most importantly, proven in numerous international studies, not only for prevention, but also for the treatment of many neurological diseases. But a person is designed in such a way that he wants everything at once, with the minimum expenditure of his forces. Therefore, before listening to the advice of a domestic specialist and running to buy Cortexin, Piracetam or Phenibut, think several times whether your health needs it. Remember that a wealthy Englishman or American will never do this, and a German doctor or specialist from the United States, where the profession of a doctor is prestigious and highly paid, will never prescribe nootropics to a patient, since they are clinically ineffective.

The popularity rating is based on the analysis of demand data from the wordstat.yandex.ru service.


Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

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