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Overview: Piracetam is a prescription medication available in some countries. However, it is not approved for any use in the U.S. Although piracetam is sometimes sold online as a nootropic, its benefits are not well understood.  Common side effects include nervousness, uncontrollable or involuntary movements, and weight gain. Serious side effects may include allergic reactions and severe bleeding. Talk to your health care provider before taking piracetam for any reason.

Uses

What is piracetam used for?

Piracetam is sometimes marketed as a nootropic to improve memory and thinking skills. However, its benefits are not well defined.

Note: Piracetam is not approved by the FDA for any use and is not considered a legal dietary ingredient in the U.S. The FDA considers piracetam to be an unapproved drug. Find out more about unapproved drugs here.

How does piracetam work (mechanism of action)?

Piracetam is a drug that is available in some countries as a prescription medicine. In the U.S., piracetam is not approved for any use. It is also not considered a legal dietary ingredient, so it cannot be legally sold in the U.S. in any form. However, some products containing piracetam are still sold online and marketed as dietary supplements.

Since piracetam can have effects in the brain and blood vessels, it is sometimes used to help with memory and thinking problems related to aging and dementia. It can change how brain cells communicate with each other and affect how blood flows and clots. But the benefits of piracetam for most uses are not well defined; it can cause serious side effects if it is taken at the wrong dose or by people with certain health problems. Speak to a health care provider before taking piracetam for any reason.

How should I store piracetam?

You should store piracetam according to the product label. Most drugs should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of piracetam?

The most common side effects of piracetam are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the dose you are taking or the specific product you are using. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Nervousness or anxiety
  • Uncontrollable, involuntary movements 
  • Weight gain
  • Confusion
  • Diarrhea
  • Drowsiness
  • Stomach upset
  • Headache
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Rash or itchy skin
  • Feeling off-balance

There may be other side effects of piracetam that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of piracetam?

While less common, the most serious side effects of piracetam are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Piracetam may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking piracetam and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Bleeding Risk. Piracetam can increase your risk of bleeding, including severe bleeding that can lead to death. This risk may be higher in people who have a history of serious bleeding, stroke, stomach ulcer, or bleeding problems. It may also be higher in people who take medicines that can increase bleeding risk. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following signs of bleeding.

  • Pink, red, or brown urine (pee)
  • Vomit with blood that looks like coffee grounds
  • Red or black stools (looks like tar)
  • Coughing up blood or blood clots 

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use piracetam?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take piracetam.

  • Piracetam
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific piracetam products they stock.

What should I know about piracetam before using it?

The FDA considers piracetam to be an unapproved drug, which means it cannot be legally sold as a dietary supplement. However, piracetam products may still be available for purchase in many places. These products are not regulated and have not been tested to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels.

Keep piracetam out of the reach of children.

Piracetam can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how piracetam affects you.

What should I tell my health care provider before using piracetam?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. Also tell them if you have an upcoming surgery planned. Sharing this information will help your health care provider know if this or other supplements are right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have or have had any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Piracetam may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking piracetam, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. Piracetam may cause harm to a fetus, so it’s not recommended for use during pregnancy. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Do not take piracetam while you are breastfeeding. Piracetam passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does piracetam interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between piracetam and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect piracetam. But drinking alcohol while taking piracetam may increase your risk of drowsiness.

Does piracetam interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking piracetam.

  • A thyroid medicine, such as levothyroxine, which is used to raise thyroid hormone levels
  • A blood thinner, which is a medicine used to treat or prevent blood clots
  • An antiplatelet medicine, such as aspirin/dipyridamole, cilostazol, clopidogrel (Plavix), or ticagrelor (Brilinta), which is a medicine used to prevent blood clots
  • Aspirin, which is in many prescription and OTC products, including those for pain, swelling, and fever

The interactions between piracetam and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with piracetam is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking piracetam with any medicines.

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much piracetam?

If you or someone else has used too much piracetam, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

Piracetam cannot be legally sold as a dietary supplement in the U.S. However, it may still be available for purchase online. Piracetam may cause serious side effects in some people. Speak to a health care provider before taking piracetam for any reason.