Racetam

Pramiracetam

N-[2-(Diisopropylamino)ethyl]-2-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)acetamide

Evidence TierCWADA NOT PROHIBITED

tuneTypical Dose

600–1200 mg per day in 2–3 divided doses

watchEffect Window

Acute (1–2 hours) for focus. Days/weeks for long-term memory potentiation.

check_circleCompliance

WADA NOT PROHIBITED

Overview

Clinical Summary

Pramiracetam is a synthetic racetam investigated for memory and attention, including post-injury cognitive deficits. It is used for cognitive enhancement claims, but high-quality modern evidence is limited.

The only direct human efficacy signal comes from a small older study in males with head injury or anoxia, with proposed cholinergic mechanisms. Preclinical work indicates neuroprotective effects. Claims of improved focus in healthy adults remain anecdotal and are not supported by robust randomized evidence.

Powerfully increases high-affinity choline uptake (HACU) in the hippocampus, accelerating acetylcholine synthesis and turnover. Secondary modulation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in cerebral cortex.

Outcomes

What This Is Expected To Influence

Primary Outcomes

  • Improves memory and cognitive deficits following traumatic brain injury

Secondary Outcomes

  • Anecdotally regarded as the most potent racetam for intense focus and memory formation in healthy users

Safety

Contraindications and Interactions

Contraindications

  • Severe renal impairment
  • Pregnancy
  • Lactation

Side effects

  • Headache (choline-demand mechanism)
  • GI upset

Interactions

  • May potentiate anticoagulants

Avoid if

  • Severe renal impairment
  • Concurrent multiple stimulating nootropics without titrating

Evidence

Study-level References

pramiracetam-SRC-001RCT
Sourceopen_in_new

McLean A, Cardenas DD, Burgess D, Gamzu E. Placebo-controlled study of pramiracetam in young males with memory and cognitive problems resulting from head injury and anoxia. Brain Inj. 1991;5(4):375-80. doi:10.3109/02699059109008110. PMID:1786500.

Population: Young males with memory and cognitive problems resulting from head injury and anoxia

Dose protocol: 400 mg pramiracetam sulphate three times daily (1,200 mg/day total)

Key findings: Pramiracetam 400 mg three times daily improved delayed recall and other memory measures versus placebo in young males with head injury or anoxia. Gains persisted during an 18-month open-label extension and a 1-month post-treatment follow-up.

Paper content

In this double-blind placebo-controlled trial, pramiracetam sulphate 400 mg TID produced clinically significant improvements in memory measures, especially delayed recall, in males with brain injury-related cognitive problems. Improvements were maintained during an 18-month open-trial period and persisted during a 1-month follow-up after discontinuation of the drug.

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