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Indications and Usage

Oxiracetam is a potent derivative of the nootropic drug piracetam, developed by the Italian company ICF in 1974 and introduced to the market in 1987. As a Piracetam derivative, Oxiracetam excites the central nervous system, enhances brain metabolism, and notably improves memory retention. It is effective in treating senile memory and mental decline, as well as various brain dysfunctions, psychiatric syndromes, and mental disorders. Specifically, it demonstrates benefits in cases of senile dementia or memory disorders, neural dysfunction, memory disorder, and intelligence disorders resulting from brain damage.

Mechanisms of Action

Oxiracetam’s mechanisms of action are similar to those of Piracetam. It promotes the binding of phosphorylcholine and phosphoethanolamine, increases the ratio of ATP/ADP in the brain, and increases the binding of protein with nucleic acids in the brain, thus improving the memory and learning ability of patients with senile dementia and memory disorder.

Pharmacokinetics

After intake, most of the drug will not accumulate in the body and will be excreted through urine in its original form. It is well-absorbed and well-tolerated.

Clinical Research

Animal trials showed that in all types of behavioral experiments, Oxiracetam can improve memory retention and learning ability, reduce brain shocks’ damage on memory, and prevent the learning abilities of rats suffering from spontaneous hypertensive cerebrovascular injury from decreasing. It can also increase acetylcholine circulation in rats’ skin and hippocampus, thus increasing affinity for choline uptake.

Chemical Properties

Whie Solid

Originator

ISF (Italy)

Uses

Oxiracetam stands out for its high solubility in water, making it suitable for injection. Research indicates that it has higher pharmacological activity and more significant curative effects compared to Piracetam. Structurally analogous to piracetam, Oxiracetam enhances vigilance and memory. Studies have shown its superiority over piracetam, particularly in memory improvement. It has been extensively used for treating dementia, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular dementia (VaD), and mixed forms. However, some studies, like the one by Green et al. (1992) on AD patients, failed to demonstrate a difference from placebo. In contrast, a trial by Maina et al. (1989) involving 289 patients with multi-infarct dementia (MID) found that oxiracetam reduced behavioral symptoms after 12 weeks of treatment.

Brand name

Neuromet

Biochem/physiol Actions

Nootropic agent, improves learning and memory, and prevents impairment of cognitive functions. Its mechanism of action in not yet known, but it is suggested to modulate glutamatergic and cholinergic neurotransmission. Protein kinase C may be involved.

Purification Methods

This nootropic (Alzheimer) drug is purified by recrystallisation from MeOH or aqueous Me2CO and dried in vacuo. [NMR, IR: Pifferi & Pinza Farmaco Ed Sci 32 602 1977, Banfi et al. Farmaco Ed Sci 39 16 1984, Gouilaev & Senning Brain Research Rev 19 180 1994.]