Racetams

Last updated: May 4, 2025

Racetams are a class of synthetic compounds, with Piracetam being the original and most well-known, developed in the 1960s. They are thought to work by influencing neurotransmitters like acetylcholine and glutamate, and are often explored for their potential cognitive-enhancing effects. Studies have investigated their use in specific conditions, showing potential benefits in areas like pediatric breath-holding spells and as an adjunct therapy in autism, though effectiveness can vary depending on the specific racetam and the condition being studied.

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

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Categories & Effectiveness

No categories available for this nootropic.

Dosage & Side Effects

Recommended Dosage

Dosages used in clinical research vary significantly depending on the condition and population; for instance, studies have used 40mg/kg/day in children for breath-holding spells and up to 800 mg/day in children with autism as an add-on therapy.
Optimal dosing for general cognitive enhancement in adults is often cited anecdotally, but clinical evidence supporting specific ranges for this purpose is limited; threshold and upper safety limits require more research.
Dosage adjustments are crucial for specific populations like children, where weight-based dosing (e.g., mg/kg) is often employed under medical supervision.

Potential Side Effects

In studies involving children with breath-holding spells, Piracetam showed no significant difference in side effects compared to placebo.
While generally considered well-tolerated in specific research contexts, potential side effects like irritability could occur, although severe risks appear low based on the provided study data.
Consider potential interactions when used alongside other medications, such as the synergistic effects observed when combined with risperidone in autism treatment.

Interactions & Stacks

Piracetam may work synergistically with medications like risperidone for managing symptoms in autistic disorder, as suggested by clinical research.
No specific cautionary combinations were highlighted in the provided study abstracts, but caution is always advised when combining supplements or medications.
Research indicates potential benefits when stacked appropriately for specific conditions like autism, enhancing the effects of primary treatments.

Benefits by Use Case

Managing Pediatric Breath-Holding Spells

Significantly prevents and controls the frequency of breath-holding spells in children compared to placebo. Studied effectively at 40mg/kg/day.

Adjunct Therapy for Autism Symptoms

May improve behavioral symptoms when added to risperidone treatment in children with autism. Effectiveness as a standalone treatment is less clear.

Peripheral Vertigo Management

Investigated as an alternative oral treatment for peripheral vertigo in outpatients. Comparative effectiveness versus standard treatments like betahistine requires further study.

Mechanism of Action

Piracetam's precise mechanisms are still being explored, but some research suggests involvement with the GABAergic system. Specifically, studies point towards the participation of the GABA-benzodiazepine receptor complex potentially contributing to effects like anxiety reduction, indicating modulation of inhibitory neurotransmission pathways. Further research is needed to fully elucidate its actions on neurotransmitters, neuronal membrane fluidity, and cerebrovascular blood flow which are often hypothesized pathways for racetams.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Piracetam safe for children?

Can Piracetam help with autism?

Does Piracetam improve memory or learning?

When should I take Piracetam?

Is Piracetam effective for vertigo?

Are there side effects with Piracetam?

Summary & Expert Opinion

Piracetam shows notable promise in specific, well-researched applications, particularly within pediatric populations.
Its strengths lie in demonstrated efficacy for conditions like breath-holding spells and potential synergistic benefits in autism treatment, though evidence for broad cognitive enhancement remains limited based on the provided studies.
It may be considered under medical guidance for children experiencing severe breath-holding spells or as an adjunct therapy in specific cases of autism.
Individuals seeking general cognitive enhancement or those with conditions like Down Syndrome (based on one study suggesting lack of cognitive benefit) might explore other options, and use in children should always involve healthcare professional consultation.

Research Studies

Oral piracetam vs betahistine in outpatient management of peripheral vertigo; a randomized clinical trial. (2019)

Authors:

Arhami Dolatabadi A, Larimi SR, Safaie A

Participants:

Outpatients with peripheral vertigo presenting to the emergency department

Study Quality Assessment:

Randomized clinical trial performed at 4 teaching centers/hospitals.

Development of a simple chromatographic method for the determination of piracetam in human plasma and its pharmacokinetic evaluation. (2014)

Authors:

Ahmad M, Barkat K, Minhas MU, et al.

Participants:

Human (implied by 'Human Plasma')

Study Quality Assessment:

Method development (Simple Chromatographic Method), Pharmacokinetic Evaluation

Effects of piracetam on pediatric breath holding spells: a randomized double blind controlled trial. (2012)

breath-holding spells pediatric side effects +1 more

Authors:

Abbaskhanian A, Ehteshami S, Rezai MS, Sajjadi S

Findings:

Piracetam (40mg/kg/day) significantly prevented and controlled breath-holding spells (BHS) compared to placebo. At the end of the study, 91% of patients taking piracetam showed control of spells versus 16% in the placebo group. No significant difference in side effects was detected between groups.

Participants:

150 children with severe BHS, mean age 17 months (range, 6 to 24 months), 86 boys.

Dosage:

40mg/kg/day piracetam, administered twice daily.

Study Quality Assessment:

Randomized double blind clinical trial study, placebo-controlled, N=150. Patients were followed monthly for three months. Outcome measured was the number of attacks/month.

All Effects:

breath-holding spells pediatric side effects treatment efficacy

A double-blind placebo controlled trial of piracetam added to risperidone in patients with autistic disorder. (2008)

autism symptoms behavior improvement synergistic effect

Authors:

Akhondzadeh S, Mohammadi MR, Tajdar H, et al.

Findings:

Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community (ABC-C) Rating Scale scores improved significantly more in the group receiving piracetam added to risperidone compared to the placebo plus risperidone group over 10 weeks. The results suggest potential synergistic effects when combining piracetam with an atypical antipsychotic for treating autism.

Participants:

About 40 children between the ages three and 11 years (inclusive) with a DSM IV clinical diagnosis of autism.

Dosage:

Risperidone titrated up to 2 mg/day (10-40 kg) or 3 mg/day (>40 kg); Piracetam titrated up to 800 mg/day.

Study Quality Assessment:

Double-blind, placebo-controlled trial; N=40 children; randomly allocated; 10-week duration; outcome measured using Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community (ABC-C) Rating Scale; funding source mentioned (Tehran University of Medical Sciences).

A trial of piracetam in two subgroups of students with dyslexia enrolled in summer tutoring. (1991)

Authors:

Ackerman PT, Dykman RA, Holloway C, et al.

Participants:

Students with Dyslexia Enrolled in Summer Tutoring (divided into two subgroups)

Study Quality Assessment:

A trial was conducted.

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Categories & Effectiveness

Dosage & Side Effects

Recommended Dosage

Potential Side Effects

Interactions & Stacks

Benefits by Use Case

Managing Pediatric Breath-Holding Spells

Adjunct Therapy for Autism Symptoms

Peripheral Vertigo Management

Mechanism of Action

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary & Expert Opinion

Research Studies

Oral piracetam vs betahistine in outpatient management of peripheral vertigo; a randomized clinical trial. (2019)

Authors:

Participants:

Study Quality Assessment:

Development of a simple chromatographic method for the determination of piracetam in human plasma and its pharmacokinetic evaluation. (2014)

Authors:

Participants:

Study Quality Assessment:

Effects of piracetam on pediatric breath holding spells: a randomized double blind controlled trial. (2012)

Authors:

Findings:

Participants:

Dosage:

Study Quality Assessment:

All Effects:

A double-blind placebo controlled trial of piracetam added to risperidone in patients with autistic disorder. (2008)

Authors:

Findings:

Participants:

Dosage:

Study Quality Assessment:

A trial of piracetam in two subgroups of students with dyslexia enrolled in summer tutoring. (1991)

Authors:

Participants:

Study Quality Assessment:

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