10 best nootropic drugs
In medicine, there are drugs that perform a specific function (for example, kill microbes, lower blood pressure, reduce the secretion of fluid into the intestinal lumen). But there is a whole group of tools that allow you to improve such functions of the body that are difficult to accurately statistics and measurement. We are talking about the so-called higher mental functions. Such concepts as mental activity, ability to learn, the brain's resistance to harmful effects - are multifaceted and complex.
That is why drugs to improve higher nervous activity are so ambiguously evaluated by the world medical community. There is no doubt that a number of these drugs can improve the metabolism of neurons, their absorption of glucose, improve the state of their cell membranes, and reduce their need for oxygen. Nootropic drugs (nootropics) are believed to be able to improve the learning process and memory, give clarity of consciousness and “tenacity to attention”, allow to reduce the exhaustion of the nervous system and increase the time of ability to work actively.
Also, nootropic drugs can increase the activity of attention and thinking, improve speech. In some cases, they activate and have an antidepressant effect, and some of these agents, on the contrary, soothe, reduce irritability, and help reduce the seizure activity of the brain.
Such a multifaceted and wide field of activity for nootropic drugs has allowed them to be prescribed in domestic medicine for a variety of diseases and conditions. These are dementia and parkinsonism, the effects of neuroinfections and traumatic brain injury, a decrease in concentration and fatigue in healthy people during an intense study session, chronic alcoholism and neurosis. Finally, nootropic pills are taken to improve the quality of sleep, and simply for prevention in view of the upcoming active mental stress.
Nootropics are also widely used in pediatric practice. In our country, they are first-line drugs, and are included in the rating of the means with which speech and mental development is delayed, the effects of perinatal trauma, are used in complex therapy in the treatment of cerebral palsy and in the treatment of mild forms of mental retardation.
From the point of view of western, evidence-based medicine, which requires a quantitative calculation of effectiveness, in practice everything is not so simple, but we will tell about this at the end of our rating. And now your attention will be presented the most popular and sold in Russia nootropic drugs, which, mainly, are available in tablets.
Top Nootropic Drugs Rating
| Nomination | a place | Name of product | price |
| Top Nootropic Drugs Rating | 1 | Piracetam (lucetam, nootropil, memotropil) | 270 ₽ |
| 2 | Phenotropil (Fonturacetam, Carphedon) | 519 ₽ | |
| 3 | Encephabol | 988 ₽ | |
| 4 | Glycine | 50 ₽ | |
| 5 | Semax | 391 ₽ | |
| 6 | Cerebrolysin | 1 100 ₽ | |
| 7 | Cortexin | 837 ₽ | |
| 8 | Mexidol (mexiprim) | 290 ₽ | |
| 9 | Cytoflavin | 472 ₽ | |
| 10 | Pantogam | 414 ₽ |
Piracetam (lucetam, nootropil, memotropil)
Rating: 4.9
Opens top pills for improving mental abilities of the most famous of the old nootropics, namely Piracetam. As indicated by the official instructions for use, Piracetam is shown in almost 50 different diagnoses and conditions, ranging from mental retardation and cerebral infarction, and ending just with old age and vascular dementia, such volume in itself is doubtful. By its chemical structure, Piracetam is a derivative of gamma-aminobutyric acid.
It can be considered that Piracetam is used in Russia for almost any problems associated with higher nervous activity, and it is contraindicated only for hypersensitivity, in Huntington chorea, and in children under 3 years of age. The use of intracerebral hemorrhage or a hemorrhagic stroke with a history of anticoagulants and chronic renal failure can be considered a restriction to the use of this nootropic agent.
This nootropic is used in pills inside as well as intramuscularly. Piracetam is produced in capsules of 400 mg, the packaging varies from 10 capsules to 200. At the beginning of treatment, 2 capsules are prescribed 3 times a day before meals, then gradually reduce the dose to one tablet three times a day. It is necessary to focus on the daily dose not exceeding 160 mg per kilogram of body weight. Piracetam produces a very large number of domestic and foreign companies, and the cheapest tablets can be purchased for 30 rubles., 20 capsules
Advantages and disadvantages
The disadvantages of the nootropin Piracetam include the fact (but very important) that after many years of its use in the USA, the FDA has removed it from the list of drugs and lowered its status to biologically active additives, lack of evidence of effectiveness. The advantages of nootropics include good tolerability, convenience of the form of release, low cost, and the presence in almost every Russian pharmacy that does not guarantee anything in terms of effectiveness.
Phenotropil (Fonturacetam, Carphedon)
Rating: 4.8
Phenotropil is also a “record holder” according to indications: the official instruction lists about 60 states and diagnoses. It turns out that this nootropic agent is used for obesity and dementia, for schizophrenia for alcoholism, for depression and for Parkinson's disease, for epilepsy and even for multiple sclerosis, seizures, intracranial injuries and for problems related to adaptation to lifestyle changes. In other words, if the doctor advised you to stop drinking and smoking, then this will already be the indication for Fenotropil's prescription. In itself, this medicine, according to the manufacturer, has anticonvulsant, nootropic, antiasthenic and neuromodulating effects, and it should be taken after eating in a dose of from 100 to 250 mg. Adult and healthy people for prevention - you need 100 or 200 mg in the morning. This tool is not recommended to take after 15:00 due to its activating effect and possible deterioration of sleep. Tablets of 100 mg, produces nootrop domestic company Valenta Pharmaceuticals.
Advantages and disadvantages
Perhaps the advantages of nootropic pills should be attributed to its drawback - a short invigorating effect, but this effect was the reason why Fenotropil was banned by the anti-doping committee. In domestic practice, this nootropic is used relatively widely, but in developed countries of Europe and in the USA it is unknown and not used. Recommendations for its use in the official World Health Organization (WHO) do not exist, as well as a strong evidence base.
Encephabol
Rating: 4.8
Encephabol, or pyritinol, is a kind of nootropic medicine that contains a derivative of vitamin B6.As you know, vitamin B6 itself, or pyridoxine, which is available in the form of hydrochloride, together with thiamine, or vitamin B1, and cyanocobalamin, or vitamin B12, constitute a group of neurotropic vitamins, and are widely used in clinical practice. Encephabol is indicated, according to the manufacturer, for various forms of dementia, mental retardation, impaired memory, attention and orientation, with the consequences of head injuries.
Nootropic medication is available in tablets of 100 mg and as a suspension for oral administration. Adults need to take 2 tablets or 2 teaspoons three times a day, and newborns can be prescribed as early as 3 days after birth, 1 ml per day. According to the manufacturer, therapeutic success is achieved after a month, and the optimal effect - after 3 months. This nootrop is produced by the Austrian company Merck, and this drug costs about 800 rubles. for one package of suspension in 200 ml.
Advantages and disadvantages
The negative side of Encephabol is the lack of evidence for each of the stated indications, or at least a serious study on one of them with a high level of confidence, and, perhaps, individual intolerance. To the positive side of the nootropic - a rare development of this intolerance.
Glycine
Rating: 4.7
Glycine is truly a popularly loved and cheap drug. It is used under the tongue or absorbed before bedtime, it is prescribed to children and adults to improve memory, performance, it is discharged in large quantities to patients after a stroke. From the point of view of biochemistry, glycine, or glycocol, is the simplest amino acid that is part of almost any protein, including the composition of many proteins in our body. Also, glycine is a neurotransmitter, or carrier of certain signals inside the brain.
This popular love (good demand) has pushed so many manufacturers for a combination of glycine in combination with magnesium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and so on. Typically, these tablets are taken to relieve tension, ease sleep, and they are taken sublingually for resorption, in tablets or in powder form after the tablet has been crushed. For adults, it is shown one at a time - two tablets immediately before falling asleep, and for other disorders of the nervous system, the instruction prescribes a certain dosage regimen. The cheapest domestic glycine can be bought starting at 19 rubles. for 50 tablets.
Advantages and disadvantages
The drawback of all nootropics is one, but extremely important: there is no evidence that they are effective. Yes, glycine is a neurotransmitter. But the fact is that the neurotransmitter, in order to regulate the subtle relations in the central nervous system, must in it and be produced as acetylcholine, norepinephrine, serotonin. There will be no benefit if the mediator in large quantities comes from the intestine along with food into the brain in quantities hundreds of times higher than the desired concentration, or absorbed into the hyoid vessels. There is a hematoencephalic barrier, which prohibits to carry into the "holy of holies" of the organism, its command room and control device everything that has been sucked from the stomach without parsing. That is why glycine, which is introduced through the mouth, practically does not enter the central nervous system and, as a mediator, does not work there, and there is no modern evidence-based research on it. In other words, there are biological and chemical effects (in vitro) for glycine, and healing effects are invisible and not proven.
The positive, and certainly worthy of the effect of these pills is sometimes the rapid onset of a quiet, physiological sleep in those impressionable subjects who firmly believe in the healing power of glycine. Therefore, glycine may well be a sort of inexpensive and effective placebo, or pacifier, the whole strength of which is based on the faith of the patient.
Semax
Rating: 4.7
Semax is no longer a single amino acid, but as many as 7 amino acid residues synthesized into one short chain. Produce the drug in the form of nasal drops, in a concentration of 0, 1, or 1%. This synthetic protein sequence repeats one of the fragments of adrenocorticotropic hormone, but without this hormonal activity. According to the manufacturer, this drug also has nootropic, antioxidant, and cerebroprotective effects, and due to the original suction mechanism can be used in ophthalmology, after 4 minutes the agent penetrates into the structures of the central nervous system, and the therapeutic effect lasts a day even after a single injection. Manufacturers have established a different dosage regimen. Thus, if an optic nerve is damaged, the means are instilled with three drops in each nasal passage three times a day, and for the prevention of stress, one drop in each nasal passage twice a day.
Manufacturers recommend to use drops with the entire spectrum of cognitive disorders, the effects of stroke, encephalopathy, for the prevention of mental fatigue, enhance adaptive capacity. Contraindications include individual intolerance, pregnancy and lactation, psychosis and seizures, as well as age up to 5 years. This nootropic drug is produced by domestic company Peptogen, and it is expensive - at a dosage of 0.1% from 350 rubles; and at a dosage of 1% - for 3 ml you will have to give 1750 rubles already.
Advantages and disadvantages
The disadvantage of Semax is the absence of a distinct mechanism of action typical of all nootropics, randomized clinical trials, and its complete obscurity in Western Europe and the USA, and silence about the Semax of the World Health Organization (WHO). Against this background, the price of almost 2,000 rubles is quite doubtful. for a large dosage, but somewhat reassured by the fact that Semax has almost no symptoms of overdose and drug interactions, and it is unlikely to harm.
Cerebrolysin
Rating: 4.7
Nootrop Cerebrolysin is a biological drug, that is, a whole complex of protein-like peptides that are obtained from the brain of pigs. In general, the belief that nootropic preparations from the brain of animals help the human brain is analogous to the ancient beliefs that a strong adversary eaten by you will make you as strong. In domestic practice, Cerebrolysin is also prescribed for various types of cerebral circulatory disorders, for the consequences of a stroke, for mental retardation, dementia, for the consequences of head injuries.
Cerebrolysin is produced in ampoules, the most popular dosage is 5 ml, there are five ampoules in one pack. Cerebrolysin in some cases produces foreign companies, but on the order of a Russian manufacturer and for the domestic market. The cost of one package of Cerebrolysin starts from 915 rubles.
A little about the price of the issue: the manufacturer recommends the optimal course of introducing nootropic drug in the form of daily injections or infusions, and the course duration is usually on average 2 weeks. At the same time, single doses that are recommended for intramuscular administration should not exceed 5 ml, when administered intravenously with a bolus, that is, immediately - 10 ml, and by setting intravenous infusion slowly drip up to 50 ml per day, for example with a stroke, and with the consequences brain injury. Thus, the patient every day, even after a slight concussion of the brain, no one will forbid the patient to take the drug for 1,800 rubles, if you take the maximum daily dose (with the price of one ampoule in 5 ml at least 180 rubles). Thus, for a course of treatment for two weeks, daily droppers can be paid 27,000 rubles.
Advantages and disadvantages
As usual, Cerebrolysin does not have high-quality clinical studies with a high level of evidence that are used to administer drugs in Western countries. Nevertheless, he is appointed and successfully advertised everywhere in our country. In general, all biological products derived from other creatures, which are administered, including intravenously, in developed countries, or are generally prohibited from being imported into the country or explicitly prohibited to use, because they can carry prion infections. But even without this, in 2010 it was proved that Cerebrolysin is ineffective even in high doses for the treatment of stroke. Whether the prescription of this nootropic drug is literally beneficial for the prescribing physician remains open in this case. But it is safe to say that in our country such cases are not uncommon.
Cortexin
Rating: 4.6
In particular, there is nothing to say about Cortexin, except for extracts from pig brains Cerebrolysin was also added a fraction from cattle, and expanded with indications for children (up to 20 kg mass, that is, practically from birth). The manufacturer gives this nootropic drug the ability to improve brain function, protect neurons from damage, increase their survival and resistance to stress, activate their function, and many other beneficial properties. In the testimony Cortexin is recommended for use in complex therapy, that is, together with any other means. The manufacturer apparently has reason not to trust his nootropic drug, because in monotherapy, that is, if it is the only one used, there is a big risk that the effect may not be, and it will be immediately apparent.
This nootropic drug is contraindicated only in case of individual intolerance, as well as during pregnancy and lactation. The manufacturer refers to the lack of data from clinical studies for pregnant and lactating. But, apparently, they are not needed: Cortexin is already in demand.
The manufacturer of Cortexin is the domestic company Geropharm, and the minimum dosage of 5 mg per bottle will cost you 540 rubles. for 10 bottles. In this case, a single dose, for example, with a stroke, is 2 bottles 2 times a day for 10 days, or 4 packs.
Advantages and disadvantages
The big drawback of this nootrop is the reluctance of drug manufacturers to subject it to pharmacokinetic research, which is routine, but it turns out that the manufacturer knows perfectly well how this drug acts - this is a significant advantage. Here are two quotes from the official instructions: "the composition of the drug does not allow for the usual pharmacokinetic analysis of individual components." And the second quote: “The mechanism of action of the drug Cortexin® is due to the activation of peptides of neurons and neurotrophic factors of the brain; optimization of the metabolism balance of excitatory and inhibitory amino acids, dopamine, serotonin; GABA-ergic impact ... .. ". Question: if the manufacturer can not determine which components are in the nootropic drug, how could they conclude its excellent effectiveness? And how the rest of the world is not yet ready to put this miracle into practice?
Mexidol (mexiprim)
Rating: 4.6
This nootropic drug contains ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate, that is, the only chemical that belongs to the group of antioxidants. As well as other nootropics, this drug is indicated for use with overload and mental overstrain, with anxiety and cognitive impairment, with neurosis, with chronic alcoholism and toxic encephalopathy, with lesions of cerebral vessels, including the elderly, and also with cranial - brain injury and its consequences.
Each tablet of Mexidol contains 125 mg of the active substance, and it should be applied 1 to 2 tablets three times a day, a maximum of 6 tablets can be applied, and the treatment course averages 3-4 weeks. In the case of relief of alcohol withdrawal, 7 days is enough. Mexidol is produced by Zio-Zdorov’s national company, and one package of 50 tablets will cost 360 rubles.
Advantages and disadvantages
The disadvantage is the same, namely, no serious data from the standpoint of evidence-based medicine. This, of course, does not mean that there was no research at all. Of course, they were, but there were always few patients, there were many errors in the studies, no randomization and blindness. Blinding is a necessary condition for objectivity of a study: a blind test is when a patient does not know whether the medication being tested or a placebo is given to him is a “dummy” for comparison. Double-blind - this is when even the doctor does not know whether he prescribes a pacifier or a drug that is declared to the study. Any correct research costs money, including patient insurance, and as a result, the accuracy and value of these studies on Mexidol is highly questionable. As for other data, the nootropic drug may affect the ability to drive vehicles, and during the treatment period it is better to refuse to drive a motor vehicle, and with an overdose or at the maximum dose, drowsiness may develop.
Cytoflavin
Rating: 4.5
Cytoflavin is a complex nootropic drug that contains inosine, vitamins - nicotinamide and riboflavin, and succinic acid. Pharmacological it refers to a combination of metabolic drugs, and is indicated for the consequences of a stroke, for atherosclerosis, neurasthenia, and cerebrovascular disease. At the same time, succinic acid helps to optimize energy metabolism in the cell, nicotinamide and riboflavin are necessary for cellular respiration and stimulation of ATP synthesis, and inosine is the precursor of the high-energy compound - ATP, which is the donor of intracellular energy.
Take nootropic drug should be 2 tablets twice a day, morning and evening, but not later than six in the evening, the duration of the course - 25 days. Cases of overdose have not been established, side effects may manifest in the form of a headache, or mild discomfort in the abdomen, as well as in the form of allergic reactions. The drug is contraindicated in pregnant women and nursing mothers due to insufficient research. The Russian company Polisan produces Tsitoflavin, and a 50-tablet package will cost 360 rubles.
Advantages and disadvantages
Among the disadvantages of the nootropic drug, it should be noted that in essence, it is not a nootropic, since it is a combined remedy of vitamins and energy metabolites. Cytoflavin is a fairly well-tolerated drug, as with other nootropics, it also has no reliable evidence base, but subjectively, many patients, especially the elderly, note an improvement after parenteral administration of cytoflavin. Whether this relates to the effect of self-hypnosis, or does it really help the nootropic drug - is still unknown.
Pantogam
Rating: 4.5
Pantogam, or hopantenic acid, according to the international classification, refers to psychostimulants, and to nootropic drugs. According to the manufacturer, it should be applied according to very many indications, besides the standard mental and neurological diagnoses, even in the testimony of this acid, there are “activity limitations caused by a decrease in working ability”. Such a too broad interpretation of the indications for use (and, of course, in favor of the means) cannot but surprise.
Each tablet contains 250 mg of calcium gopantenate, and it is recommended that adults take no more than 3 g, or 6 tablets per day, children also no more than 3G per day.In some cases, the duration of the course of treatment may be 6 months, and after a break of 6 months it is possible to repeat such a course. We will not list in this rating all the detailed dosages of Pantogam, let us say only that, in addition to tablets 250 and 500 mg, the drug is produced in a syrup that contains 100 mg of the active substance per ml. This medicine is produced by Peak Pharma, a domestic company. You can buy a bottle of syrup weighing 100 milligrams for 340 rubles, and a pill package of the maximum dosage of 0.5 g for an amount of 50 pieces for 470 rubles.
Advantages and disadvantages
It was already mentioned above that the lack of evidence base at least is the lack of all nootropics. That is why they are not used in the developed countries of Europe, in Israel and in the USA. But the situation with the nootropic drug Pantogam is much worse. This drug was banned in Japan as early as the early 1990s, because it was proven that it was reception of hopantenic acid that led to a number of fatal complications that occurred with the so-called Ray syndrome (encephalopathy and liver damage in children and adolescents, usually after administering acetylsalicylic acid ).
Conclusion, or the happy fate of nootropics in Russia
One could cite a whole series of pills, and describe in detail in the ranking such drugs as Picamilon, Phenibut, Fezam, Gliatilin, Aminalon, Cavinton, Ceraxon, which are positioned as a means with nootropic action. But we will not do this, because we will begin to repeat.
Thus, Picamilon, also in the United States of America, was not only recognized as a falsified nootropic drug, but was even excluded from the list of dietary supplements. The FDA researchers simply analyzed the tablets, in which the active substance was in different quantities, and in one of the tablets it was not found at all. Such falsifications are very strictly punishable by law abroad, but what composition of tablets in the Russian Federation and what machines are used in pharmaceutical factories to ensure a uniform content of the active substance in each tablet, we do not know this information, and do not even think about it.
This information, which allows the reader to think about it, is not at all a “fly in the ointment”. It is not by chance that the list, or the nootropics rating, is entitled not the “best” drugs, but “popular” drugs. And that is a big difference. If there is a better nootropic drug, then this means that there is a worse one, that is, there is an effect from one medicine, and another effect the least, this can be proved by the laws of mathematics and medical statistics, because efficiency is the measure.
As for nootropic drugs, they have an extremely large list of indications, which sometimes occupy dozens of diagnoses. Truly, you can catch a lot of fish in muddy water. If we compare it with serious drugs, for example, for lowering cholesterol or lowering blood pressure, you will see that one or two indications for use, for example, hypertension and heart failure, are enough. As was shown in the rating, manufacturers even attract such diagnoses behind the ears that are not indicators of the disease of the body, for example, “adaptation disorder during lifestyle changes”.
Countries that are world leaders are trying to get rid of those drugs whose action can not be proved, as well as from dishonestly acquired and "laundered" money. The wealthy rich Russians go to Germany, Switzerland, Israel and the USA for treatment. And none of them are worried about the fact that Cortexin, Cerebrolysin, or Picamilon will not be prescribed for them there. In the United States of America, for example, there is not a single medication approved by international recommendations for improving intellectually mnestic or cognitive functions, both in sick and healthy people.In developed countries, nootropic drugs are not registered anywhere as drugs at all, since they have not been tested by evidence.
Of course, it is best to give the nootropic drug to the patient, as a magical means to stimulate the brain, than to tell him boring and boring advice about how a healthy lifestyle, normalizing weight, stopping smoking and alcohol, healthy sleep, and sport will make it healthy. People understand and feel that such non-drug methods are effective, and, most importantly, proven in numerous international studies, not only for prevention, but also for the treatment of many neurological diseases. But the person is designed so that he wants everything at once, with a minimum expenditure of his strength. Therefore, before you listen to the advice of a domestic specialist and run to buy Cortexin, Piracetam or Phenibut, think a few times if your health needs it. Remember that a wealthy Englishman or an American will never do this, and a German doctor or specialist from the USA, where the profession of a doctor is prestigious and highly paid, will never prescribe a nootropic to the patient, since they are clinically ineffective.
Attention! This rating is subjective, is not advertising and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you should consult with a specialist.
