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Other strengths and forms by Square Pharmaceuticals PLC, Pabna
Indications & Uses
Cerebral vascular disorders and reduced cerebral blood flow: for both ischaemic and haemorrhagic acute events, and for long-term effects of these events or of cerebral atherosclerosis. Mental retardation in children: to help restore ease of social contact and interaction, support learning, and improve intellectual performance and school results. Behavioural and psychiatric problems in old age: for memory difficulties (especially with forming and recalling memories), fatigue-related adjustment problems, and disturbed psychomotor responses.
Pharmacology
Piracetam is a "nootropic," meaning it is a psychotropic agent that acts directly on the brain to improve the efficacy of the telencephalon, both in healthy people and in those with some functional deficit. This part of the brain is involved in cognition and also plays a role in learning and memory, in alertness and in consciousness. Piracetam does not produce sedation or stimulation. It can act on the central nervous system in several ways: it modifies neurotransmission within the brain and helps improve the metabolic environment essential for healthy neuronal function. It is also a haemorrheological agent and can improve microcirculation without causing vasodilation. When given as acute or long-term treatment for people with a functional CNS deficit, it heightens alertness and increases cognitive function. This change shows up on an EEG trace as a significant increase in alpha and beta activity, with a reduction in delta activity. Piracetam protects and restores cognitive functional capacity after cerebral trauma, such as hypoxia or intoxication, and after electroshock therapy. It may be given alone or together with other drugs when treating myoclonia due to anoxia, and it reduces the duration of vestibular nystagmus. Piracetam also improves regional oxygen and glucose uptake in the brain in people with dementia following multiple infarcts, or in those with cerebral ischaemia. It inhibits the increased aggregation of activated platelets, and in conditions where red blood cells (RBCs) show abnormal rigidity, it can restore their deformability and their ability to pass through the microvasculature.
Dosage Reference
Reference Information Only
Dosages shown are general references from official sources. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized dosing.
Adults:
Adults: For cerebrocortical insufficiency disorders, the usual dose is 800 mg three times a day. For myoclonic seizures, the dose is 7.2 gm daily, increased by 4.8 gm per day every 3 to 4 days up to a maximum of 20 gm daily, given in 2 or 3 divided doses. Children: the daily dose depends on the child's body weight, at 50 mg/kg given in 3 divided doses. Once the desired results have been achieved, the initial dose should be reduced by half.
Side Effects
Nervousness, agitation, irritability, anxiety and sleep disturbances have been reported with piracetam. These affected under 5% of patients in clinical trials and tended to occur more often in older patients taking more than 2.4 g a day; in most cases, simply lowering the dose was enough to make the symptoms go away. Some people may also experience fatigue or drowsiness, and gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach pain have been noted, though these occurred in 2% or fewer of patients during trials. Less commonly, symptoms such as dizziness, headache, trembling and increased sexual desire have been reported.
Cautions & Contraindications
Contraindications
Piracetam should not be used in patients with severe renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance below 20 ml/min) or hepatic impairment. Because the kidney is the principal route by which Piracetam is eliminated from the body, special care must be taken when treating patients with known renal insufficiency, and monitoring of renal function is recommended in such cases. The increase in half-life is directly related to the decrease in renal function and creatinine clearance, and this also holds true for older patients, in whom creatinine clearance depends on age. When creatinine clearance is below 60 ml/min, or serum creatinine is above 1.25 mg/100 ml, the prescribed dosage should be adjusted as follows. For a creatinine clearance of 60 to 40 ml/min, the dose should be reduced to 1/2 of the normal dose. For a creatinine clearance of 40 to 20 ml/min, the dose should be reduced to 1/4 of the normal dose.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Piracetam is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, and should only be used in these situations if there is no other option, since it is known to cross the placenta.
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Overdose
Piracetam appears to have no toxicity, even at very high doses. Because of this, no specific measures are needed if someone takes an overdose.
⚠️ In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Storage
Keep Piracetam in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30˚C. Keep it away from sunlight, and keep it out of the reach of children.
Drug Interactions
Common questions about Neurolep 500 mg/5 ml
What is Neurolep 500 mg/5 ml Syrup?
Neurolep 500 mg/5 ml Syrup is a medicine that contains Piracetam. It is made by Square Pharmaceuticals PLC, Pabna. It belongs to the Adjunct anti-epileptic drugs group of medicines.
What is Neurolep used for?
Cerebral vascular disorders and reduced cerebral blood flow: for both ischaemic and haemorrhagic acute events, and for long-term effects of these events or of cerebral atherosclerosis. Mental retardation in children: to help restore ease of social contact and interaction, support learning, and improve intellectual performance and school results.
What are the side effects of Neurolep?
Nervousness, agitation, irritability, anxiety and sleep disturbances have been reported with piracetam. These affected under 5% of patients in clinical trials and tended to occur more often in older patients taking more than 2.4 g a day; in most cases, simply lowering the dose was enough to make the symptoms go away.
Can I take Neurolep during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Piracetam is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, and should only be used in these situations if there is no other option, since it is known to cross the placenta. Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
What happens if I take too much Neurolep?
Piracetam appears to have no toxicity, even at very high doses. Because of this, no specific measures are needed if someone takes an overdose. In an emergency call 999 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
How should I store Neurolep?
Keep Piracetam in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30˚C. Keep it away from sunlight, and keep it out of the reach of children.
Can I take other medicines with Neurolep?
Some medicines can interact with Piracetam, for example: Carbamazepine, Clonazepam, Phenobarbitone. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about every medicine you take.
Do I need a prescription for Neurolep?
Neurolep is a prescription (Rx) medicine. Take it as your doctor advises.