Lucetam 1200mg

Indications

Cerebral vascular accidents and insufficiencies: Ischaemic or even hemorrhagic acute accidents, chronic symptoms of the aforementioned accidents or cerebral atherosclerosis.

Resumption of individual interaction, sociability, and learning, better intellectual achievements, and school outcomes in children with mental impairment.

Problems with behavior and psychosis in old age: Memory impairments, especially fixation and evocation asthenia adaptation difficulties, disrupted psychomotor responses. Patients suffering from cortical myoclonus.

Pharmacology

The mechanism of action of piracetam is not entirely known. Without acting as a sedative or stimulant, the medication impacts neuronal and vascular processes as well as cognitive performance. Piracetam is an AMPA receptor positive allosteric modulator. It is thought to operate on ion channels or ion carriers, increasing neuron excitability. Piracetam has no effect on GABA brain metabolism or GABA receptors.

It has been discovered to increase blood flow and oxygen consumption in some areas of the brain, however this may be a side effect of increased brain activity rather than a fundamental impact or mechanism of action for the medication.

Piracetam enhances the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine by acting on muscarinic cholinergic (ACh) receptors, which are involved in memory functions. Piracetam may also have an effect on NMDA glutamate receptors, which are important in learning and memory processes. Piracetam is considered to enhance the permeability of cell membranes. Piracetam's worldwide influence on brain neurotransmission may be mediated through regulation of ion channels (e.g., Na+, K+). It has been discovered to enhance oxygen consumption in the brain, which appears to be related to ATP metabolism, as well as the activity of adenylate kinase in rat brains.Piracetam appears to enhance the production of cytochrome b5, which is a component of the electron transport system in mitochondria, while in the brain. However, it also enhances the permeability of the mitochondria of some Krebs cycle intermediates in the brain.

Dosage & Administration

Oral: Adults:
 

In cerebro-cortical insufficiency disorders, usual dose is one tablet (800 mg) 3 times a day.

In myoclonic seizures, a dose of 7.2 gm daily, increasing by 4.8 gm per day every 3 to 4 days up to maximum of 20 gm daily, given in 2 or 3 divided doses.

Oral: Children: The daily dosage depends on the weight of the child, 50 mg/kg of body weight in 3 divided doses. Once the desired results has been obtained, reduce the initial dose by half.

Parenteral formulations: When parenteral administration is needed (e.g. swallowing difficulties, unconsciousness) Piracetam can be administered intravenously. When treating severe symptoms, 12 g daily may need to be administered as an intravenous infusion.

Interaction

Confusion, irritability, and sleep disturbances were observed in a single case when thyroid extract was used concurrently. Based on a small number of trials, no interaction has been reported with the following anti-epileptic drugs: clonazepam, carbamazepine, phenyton, phenobarbitone, and sodium valporate.

Contraindications

Piracetam is not recommended for individuals who have significant renal insufficiency (creatinine clearance less than 20 ml/min) or hepatic impairment. Because the kidney is the primary route of elimination for Piracetam, extra precautions must be taken while treating individuals who have renal insufficiency. In such instances, renal function should be monitored. The reduction in renal function and creatinine clearance is directly connected to the rise in half-life. This is also true for the elderly patient, whose creatinine clearance is age-dependent. When the creatinine clearance is greater than 60 ml/min or the serum creatinine level is greater than 1.25 mg/100 ml, the dose should be calculated as follows:

CrCl 60-40 ml/min: Dosage should be 1/2 of normal dose
CrCl 40-20 ml/min: Dosage should be 1/4 of normal dose

Side Effects

Nervousness, agitation, irritability, anxiety, and sleep problems have all been described as adverse effects. During clinical studies, the incidence of these was ( 5% ), and they were more common in elderly individuals consuming more than 2.4 gm daily. In the vast majority of instances, a dosage decrease was sufficient to alleviate these effects. Some individuals may experience weariness or sleepiness; gastrointestinal issues, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomachache, have also been recorded; however, their occurrence during clinical trials was only 2%. Other symptoms such as dizziness, headache, trembling, and sexual excitement have been recorded on occasion.

Pregnancy & Lactation

Except in extraordinary situations, piracetam should not be administered during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Piracetam can pass the placenta.

Storage Conditions

Keep away from direct sunlight and store in a cool, dry area with a temperature of less than 30 degrees Celsius. Keep out of children's reach.