Nootropil

Nootropil will reduce the duration of vestibular nystagmus. Nootropil will improve regional oxygen and glucose uptake in the brain in patients suffering from dementia subsequent to multiple infarcts. Nootropil will inhibit the increased aggregation of activated platelets and, in conditions where there is abnormal rigidity of the red blood cell, it can restore deformability and the ability to pass through the microvasculature.

Nootropil is a “nootrope “ that is to say it is a psychotropic agent which acts directly on the brain to improve the efficacy of the telencephalon in both normal subjects and those suffering from some functional deficit. This area of the brain is involved in cognition and also has a role to play in teaming and memory, in alertness and in consciousness. Nootropil does not produce either sedation or stimulation. Nootropil can act on the Central Nervous System in a variety of ways. It will modify neurotransmission within the brain, and can help to improve the metabolic environ­ment essential for good neuronal function. It is also a ha emorrheo logical agent and can improve microcirculation without producing vasodilation. When given as acute or long term treatment for patients suffering from a tunctional CNS deficit, or after cerebral trauma such as hypoxia or intoxi­cation, and after electroshock therapy, it will heighten alertness and increase cognitive function. These changes are seen as a significant increase in the alpha and beta activity, with a reduction in delta activity on an EEG trace.

Hypersensitivity to Nootropil or other pyrrolidone derivatives or any of the excipients. Nootropil is contra-indicated in patients with cerebral haemorrhage. Nootropil is contra-indicated in End Stage Renal Disease patients.

Due to the effect of Nootropil on platelet aggregation, caution is recommended in patients with underlying disorders of haemostasis, major surgery or severe haemorrhage. As Nootropil is almost exclusively eliminated by the kidney, precautions should be taken when treating patients suffering from renal insufficiency, and in whom it is wise to check the renal function. The half-life time is increased in direct proportion to the loss of renal function and the creatinine clearance; this is equally true in elderly patients, in whom the excretion of creatinine is dependant on age. For this reason, the dosage will be changed according to the table below:

The side effects reported in connection with Nootropil include nervousness, agitation, irritability, anxiety and sleep disturbances. The incidence of these during clinical trials was 5% or less and they were more often noted in the older patients taking more than 2.4 g daily. In the majority of cases a dose reduction sufficed to make these symptoms disappeared. Some patients may complain of fati­gue or drowsiness. Gastro-intestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and stomacha­che have also been reported, but their Incidence during clinical trials was 2% or less. Other symptoms, such as vertigo, headaches, trembling and sexual stimulation have occasionally been reported.

Nootropil should not be prescribed during pregnancy or when breastfeeding.