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Pharmacological Properties of Piracetam

Rationale for Use in Stroke Patients

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Summary

Piracetam, the standard nootropic drug, is known to improve a whole series of mental activities, particularly higher cortical functions. Recently, this drug has come under investigation as a cerebroprotective agent in ischaemic stroke. In vitro studies showed cerebral metabolism-stimulating effects, which formed the basis for the interpretation of in vivo studies. These studies have demonstrated some benefits under experimental conditions of brain-lesioning influences (e.g. central ischaemia, hypoxia, etc.).

Piracetam has possible neuromodulatory, cerebrovascular and electrophysiological effects, as well as beneficial therapeutic effects on the microcirculation. Its haemorrheological and antithrombotic properties suggest the possible use of piracetam in ischaemic cerebral infarction and as a cerebroprotective agent in stroke.

Published data have shown that the pharmacokinetic properties of piracetam in animals and humans are similar after oral and intravenous administration, resulting in almost complete oral bioavailability.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Society of Clinical Pharmacology, Vienna, Austria

    G. Hitzenberger

  2. Vienna Working Group for Applied Clinical Pharmacology and Therapy, Vienna, Austria

    H. Rameis & C. Manigley

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  1. G. Hitzenberger
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Hitzenberger, G., Rameis, H. & Manigley, C. Pharmacological Properties of Piracetam. Mol Diag Ther 9 (Suppl 1), 19–27 (1998). https://doi.org/10.2165/00023210-199809001-00003

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