Phenylpiracetam

Last updated: May 4, 2025

Phenylpiracetam, also known as Fonturacetam, is a synthetic nootropic compound derived from piracetam, developed in Russia in 1983 primarily for cosmonauts facing high-stress conditions. It acts as a stimulant by inhibiting the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain and also interacts with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, known for enhancing alertness, focus, and cognitive function. Studies, primarily from Russia and animal models, suggest Phenylpiracetam offers cognitive enhancement, neuroprotection, mood improvement, and increased stress tolerance, often showing greater potency than piracetam.

Categories & Effectiveness
Dosage & Side Effects
Benefits by Use Case
Mechanism of Action
Frequently Asked Questions
Summary & Expert Opinion
Research Studies

Back to All Nootropics

Categories & Effectiveness

Cognition

Neuroprotection & Plasticity

4/10

Moderate evidence of effectiveness

Working & Long-term Memory

4/10

Moderate evidence of effectiveness

Energy

Wakefulness / Alertness (Stimulant)

7/10

Strong evidence of effectiveness

Mood

Anxiety / Stress Reduction

4/10

Moderate evidence of effectiveness

Mood Enhancement / Antidepressant Effect

4/10

Moderate evidence of effectiveness

Dosage & Side Effects

Recommended Dosage

The standard available form is 100 mg oral tablets, often used as a starting point for dosage.
While specific threshold and optimal limits require individual assessment, doses typically align with the available tablet strength, sometimes taken once or twice daily.
Its use is primarily documented in specific patient populations in Russia (e.g., cerebrovascular deficiency, post-brain injury) and cosmonauts; data on variations for other groups is limited.

Potential Side Effects

Common side effects can include insomnia or sleep disturbances and psychomotor agitation.
Less common effects may involve flushing, a feeling of warmth, or increased blood pressure, with potential for anorexic effects during extended use.
Individuals with a known intolerance should avoid it, and caution is advised due to its stimulant properties, particularly regarding blood pressure.

Bioavailability & Half-Life

Phenylpiracetam is readily absorbed when taken orally, reaching near 100% bioavailability with effects typically noticeable within an hour. It is unique in that it is not significantly metabolized by liver enzymes like the CYP system. Instead, it's primarily excreted unchanged, with about 40% eliminated through urine and the remaining 60% via bile and sweat, possessing an elimination half-life of approximately 3 to 5 hours in humans.

Interactions & Stacks

While specific synergistic stacks aren't well-documented in clinical research, users often explore combinations typical for racetams or stimulants.
Due to its stimulant nature as a dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, caution should be exercised when combining Phenylpiracetam with other stimulants or medications affecting these neurotransmitter systems.
User reports vary, but the stimulant effect is a consistent theme, suggesting careful consideration before stacking.

Benefits by Use Case

Enhanced Alertness & Focus

Acts as a potent stimulant, increasing wakefulness and concentration significantly. Effects typically last for the duration of its half-life, around 3-5 hours.

Cognitive Boost Under Stress

May improve mental performance, memory, and tolerance to stressors like extreme temperatures or demanding tasks. Developed initially for cosmonauts for this purpose.

Combating Fatigue & Apathy

Its dopamine-enhancing effects can increase motivation and reduce feelings of fatigue or apathy, as seen in Russian clinical use and animal studies. Long-term efficacy requires more research.

Neuroprotection & Recovery Support

Used in Russia to aid recovery from conditions like cerebrovascular deficiency or brain injury, potentially by improving blood flow and brain tissue resistance. Evidence mainly from specific patient groups.

Mechanism of Action

Phenylpiracetam primarily functions as an atypical dopamine reuptake inhibitor (DRI) and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI), particularly through its (R)-enantiomer, leading to increased levels of these stimulating neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft. This action contributes significantly to its effects on alertness, motivation, and focus. Additionally, it binds to α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain cortex, potentially modulating cholinergic activity, and like some other racetams, it may act as a positive modulator of AMPA receptors, which are crucial for learning and memory processes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Phenylpiracetam addictive?

When should I take Phenylpiracetam?

Is Phenylpiracetam legal?

How does Phenylpiracetam compare to Piracetam?

Can healthy people benefit from Phenylpiracetam?

What does Phenylpiracetam feel like?

Does Phenylpiracetam show up on drug tests?

Summary & Expert Opinion

Phenylpiracetam is a potent synthetic nootropic and stimulant, known for enhancing alertness, focus, and stress resilience, primarily through dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibition. Its strengths lie in its noticeable stimulant effects and potential cognitive benefits reported in Russian clinical use and animal studies, often surpassing piracetam in potency. However, limitations include a lack of extensive, high-quality human trials recognized in Western medicine, particularly in healthy populations, and its unapproved status in many countries, including the US. Individuals seeking significant boosts in mental energy, focus, or performance under stress might consider it, especially if other options have been insufficient. Those sensitive to stimulants, with cardiovascular issues (like high blood pressure), or subject to WADA anti-doping rules should avoid Phenylpiracetam.

Research Studies

[Pharmacological effects of fonturacetam (Actitropil) and prospects

anticonvulsant anxiolytic metabolism regulation +2 more

Findings:

Phenylpiracetam (PP)/Fonturacetam (FR) is described as a nootropic with anxiolytic, antiasthenic, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, and anticonvulsant effects. Analysis of studies suggests potential use in cerebral ischemia, neurodegenerative pathologies, epilepsy, asthenia, mental disorders, and metabolic syndrome, potentially via adaptogenic properties, mitochondrial protection, and effects on neurotransmitter systems and metabolism.

Study Quality Assessment:

Analysis of experimental and clinical studies.

All Effects:

anticonvulsant anxiolytic metabolism regulation neuroprotection nootropic

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Piracetam

acute stroke ineffective neuroprotection

Findings:

Piracetam was found ineffective as a neuroprotective drug for acute stroke in a previous clinical trial. The systematic review's findings are not stated in this snippet.

Participants:

Acute stroke patients (mentioned in context of a previous clinical trial)

Study Quality Assessment:

Systematic review methodology. Mentions a previous clinical trial.

Cognitive effects of piracetam in adults with memory impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activity of DAT inhibitor R-phenylpiracetam in experimental models of inflammation in male mice

anti-inflammatory anticonvulsant cognitive enhancement +4 more

Findings:

Phenylpiracetam (specifically the R-enantiomer) acts as a selective atypical dopamine reuptake inhibitor (DRI) and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NDRI), interacting with α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Used in Russia for various neurological/psychiatric conditions (e.g., cerebrovascular deficiency, depression, memory decline), it reportedly improves cognition, mood, and stress tolerance. Animal studies indicate neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory (in mice, per cited study title), antiamnesic, anticonvulsant effects, reversal of diazepam sedation, increased operant behavior, and increased motivation.

Participants:

Animal models (Sprague-Dawley rats, Wistar rats, male mice); Human use reported in Russian cosmonauts, patients with cerebrovascular deficiency, depression, apathy, attention/memory problems, encephalopathy, brain injury, glioma, epilepsy, stroke, glaucoma; Potential use studied for fatigue in Parkinson's disease/depression. Mention of 'healthy individuals' use is noted as potentially misleading/lacking reliable sources.

Dosage:

Available as 100 mg oral tablets. Animal studies used doses like 100 mg/kg (phenylpiracetam) and up to 200 mg/kg (methylphenylpiracetam) in rats. A derivative (RGPU-95) reportedly used at 10-60 mg based on forum data.

Study Quality Assessment:

Mentions clinical studies/trials (some at named Russian institutions: Serbsky State Scientific Center for Social and Forensic Psychiatry, Moscow Institute of Psychiatry, Russian Center of Vegetative Pathology), animal studies (rats, mice), peer-reviewed research, a European patent, and specific methods (passive avoidance test, radioligand binding assays like [125I] RTI-55 displacement, dopamine uptake assays, functional assays). Explicitly notes multiple issues via Wikipedia tags: potential cleanup needed, misleading implications connecting animal/in vitro data to human effects without reliable sources, reliance on primary sources, need for more reliable medical references, lack of clinical studies supporting use in healthy individuals, unpublished human pharmacokinetics.

All Effects:

anti-inflammatory anticonvulsant cognitive enhancement dopamine reuptake inhibition motivation neuroprotection stimulant

We value your privacy

Categories & Effectiveness

Cognition

Neuroprotection & Plasticity

Working & Long-term Memory

Energy

Wakefulness / Alertness (Stimulant)

Mood

Anxiety / Stress Reduction

Mood Enhancement / Antidepressant Effect

Dosage & Side Effects

Recommended Dosage

Potential Side Effects

Bioavailability & Half-Life

Interactions & Stacks

Benefits by Use Case

Enhanced Alertness & Focus

Cognitive Boost Under Stress

Combating Fatigue & Apathy

Neuroprotection & Recovery Support

Mechanism of Action

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary & Expert Opinion

Research Studies

[Pharmacological effects of fonturacetam (Actitropil) and prospects

Findings:

Study Quality Assessment:

All Effects:

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Piracetam

Findings:

Participants:

Study Quality Assessment:

Cognitive effects of piracetam in adults with memory impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activity of DAT inhibitor R-phenylpiracetam in experimental models of inflammation in male mice

Findings:

Participants:

Dosage:

Study Quality Assessment:

All Effects:

Similar Nootropics

Green Tea

L-Theanine

Bacopa Monnieri

L-Tyrosine