Experience of using Phenotropil in clinical practice

Phenotropil: analogues

05.11.2019 18:23
Fig 1. - Phenotropil USA from the manufacturer SNS Smart Powders

Author: Neurologist Oleg Olegovich Torsky

Phenotropil is considered to be the most popular drug from the group of nootropics, developed by leading pharmaceutical workers. Due to its main active components, the process of blood supply to the brain improves, and the level of concentration and thinking also increases.

The drug Phenotropil is prescribed to people experiencing strong emotional stress, the consequences of which are fatigue, drowsiness, and mental stress.

pharmachologic effect

Manufacturer: JSC VALENTA PHARMACEUTIKA (Russia)
Release form: tablets

Active ingredient: phenotropil

Analogs: Phenibut, Nootropil, Piracetam

Phenotropil is a medicine that stimulates metabolic processes and blood circulation in the brain. Under the influence of the drug, memory improves, concentration increases, and the learning process is facilitated.

The drug increases the resistance of brain tissue to oxygen starvation and the effects of toxic substances, reduces the threshold of central nervous system excitability and increases resistance to stress.

What to replace it with?

Unfortunately, the nootropic drug Carphedon (phenotropil) has not been produced since 2017. As a result, the question arose among consumers about whether there was a replacement for it. This is due to the fact that many people who have been using this drug for a long period of time have already decided on the required dosage, course of treatment, and breaks. That is why it will be quite difficult for them to get used to another drug, which is a derivative of phenylpiracetam.

Among the analogues of Phenylpiracetam, the following should be highlighted:

1. "Braviton" is available exclusively by prescription in the form of tablets. Helps improve blood circulation, reduce platelet aggregation, provide reliable brain protection during hypoxia;
2. Vinpocetine improves memory and increases concentration. Indications for use include: traumatic brain injury, encephalopathy, senile dementia;
3. "Escotropil" - produced on the basis of piracetam, is aimed at stimulating cognitive processes. The effect on the central nervous system is to change the speed of impulses to the brain, stimulating the metabolic process of nerve cells.

Such drugs belong to the group of psychostimulant drugs. By the way, many people are misled by such names as Phenylpiracetam, Carphedon. It is worth noting that these are just synonyms for modified piracetam.

Piracetam

Manufacturer: ORGANICS (Russia)
Release form: tablets, capsules, solution in ampoules

Active ingredient: piracetam

Piracetam is an over-the-counter analogue of Phenotropil, classified as a nootropic, which stimulates the metabolic processes of the central nervous system and blood circulation in the cerebral vessels. Due to the action of the drug, blood flow and microcirculation inside the ischemic area improves. For cerebral dysfunction of various origins, the medication stimulates memory processes and mental performance, concentration and the ability to analyze.

Therapy with Phenotropil analogs in patients with various diseases of the central nervous system significantly improves brain activity, restoring it after brain injuries, vascular lesions and functional disorders of the central nervous system.

By composition and action

Phenotropil is a drug classified as a mental stimulant. It is worth noting that due to its pronounced stimulating effect, the drug is prohibited for use among athletes before upcoming competitions, since it is considered a type of doping. The main component is the active substance of the same name in an amount of 100 milligrams, which acts as a new generation stimulant, the main task of which is to increase brain activity. In addition to nootropic, it also has the following types of effects:

• anti-anxiety;
• antiamnestic;
• antiepileptic;
• antiasthenic;
• neuromodulatory.

However, the most pronounced effect of Phenotropil is considered to be an improvement in the quality of memory, the learning process, and concentration. By regulating biological rhythms in the brain, increasing the content of aminobutyric acid, dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, the drug helps optimize well-being and improve mood. It is worth noting that the release of the drug ceased in 2021, people are looking for its analogues.

Among the wide variety of nootropic agents that have the same composition as Phenotropil, the following should be highlighted:

• "Entrop";
• "Nootropil" (infusion solution);
• "Slim Stories Prof."
• "Kombitropil";
• "Phenylpiracetam";
• "NooCam."

As for the action, it is worth noting the following analogues of Phenylpiracetam:

• "Ginkgo biloba";
• "Korsavin Forte";
• "Cavinton solution";
• "Picamilon";
• "Aminalon";
• "Glycine";
• "Phenibut";
• "Bilobil Forte";
• "Ginkum".

Cost of medicines

Prices for similar Phenotropil preparations depend on the country of their manufacture. Foreign generics may cost even more, but domestic analogues are 2-3 times cheaper than the original. Do not forget that nootropic medications are not intended for self-medication, and only a doctor knows what to replace Phenotropil with.

According to active substance

It is worth noting that the main active ingredient of the medicinal nootropic drug is Phenotropil. Among the main analogues of the drug, which have similar components in their composition, the following should be highlighted:

• "Vinpotsetin";
• Acefen;
• "Kavinton"
• "Lutsetam";
• "Vinpotropil";
• "Pirates"
• "Tserakson."

The attending physician, when choosing a phenotropil substitute, must take into account not only the pharmaceutical properties, active substance, indications and contraindications, but also the general health of the patient. The tendency to an allergic reaction, side effects, etc. is also taken into account.

For memory and performance

Phenotropil is famous for the fact that it has a positive effect on brain cells, thereby stimulating its blood supply. This, in turn, increases concentration, improves memory and significantly increases performance.

Since the drug was discontinued back in 2021, people are constantly looking for suitable substitutes. Among the most popular phenotropil analogues, it is worth noting the following:

• "Nootropil"
• "Biotredin";
• "Calcium hopantenate";
• "Neurobutal";
• "Glycine" and others.

All of the above phenylpiracetam analogues act as the best nootropic mental simulators. They are taken to optimize the processes of blood supply to the brain, improve cognitive functions, that is, for vigor and energy. After a person has taken a specific dose of Phenotropil, his endurance increases under strong emotional stress, tension, and frequent mood swings.

Phenotropil or Nootropil - which is better?

Manufacturer: UCB PHARMA (Belgium)
Release form: tablets, capsules, solution in ampoules IV and IM

Active ingredient: piracetam

Phenotropil and its foreign analogue Nootropil have a stimulating effect on the central nervous system, improving cerebral blood flow, metabolic processes and cognitive function of the brain.

If there is a violation of the psychosomatic status, Nootropil will be the best, since the drug additionally acts as an antidepressant and psychostimulant.

For weight loss

When no methods help to lose weight, including exercise and a balanced diet, women decide to opt for medical weight loss. The drugs include Phenotropil.

Since it has long been discontinued, many are starting to look for substitutes for weight loss. Among them it is worth highlighting such analogues as:

• "Pantogam";
• "Cerebrolysin";
• "Encephabol";
• "Neurodar".

All of the above analogues of phenotropil have properties that accelerate metabolic processes. Experts have found that these drugs eliminate all the symptoms that accompany the feeling of hunger, including:

• increased fatigue and irritability;
• loss of energy;
• significant decrease in performance.

Indications for use of Phenotropil

The medicine is used for the following diseases:

• neuroses and asthenic conditions, accompanied by memory impairment, irritability, and increased fatigue;
• pathology of the central nervous system of a vascular nature;
• some forms of schizophrenia;
• chronic alcoholism, mental disorders;
• encephalopathy of various origins;
• nutritional obesity grade 3–4.

The use of Phenotropil is effective in stressful situations, physical and mental stress associated with professional activities or studies.

In tablets

Phenotropil is a drug from the nootropic group, which is aimed at improving blood supply to the brain and optimizing cognitive functions. The drug is available exclusively in cylindrical tablets in white color. The active substance is a chemical compound called phenyloxopyrrolidinylacetamide (synonymous with the word Phenotropil), the amount of which can vary from 50 to 100 milligrams.

The main substance of the drug Cordafen is quickly absorbed into the gastrointestinal tract. The maximum concentration in blood plasma is observed one hour after administration. Inside, the phenylpiracetam component is not transformed and does not create individual metabolites. The drug is eliminated through the kidneys and intestines. The half-life is about four hours.

The cheapest similar products

Phenotropil is in a high price segment, so many patients prefer to be treated with cheap, similar means of this medication.

Piracetam

Piracetam is produced in several forms - in tablets, in a solution for injections and droppers, and in capsules with the active ingredient - piracetam. Piracetam has nootropic properties, which allows the drug to improve blood supply to brain cells and improve brain functionality.

Piracetam is prescribed for the following pathologies:

• impairments in intellectual abilities, concentration and memory;
• sclerosis of cerebral arteries;
• impaired blood flow in the organ;
• alcoholism;
• dementia and schizophrenia;
• neurological and mental disorders in the chronic stage and in the acute phase.

Children are prescribed for the following disorders:

• myoclonus of cortical origin;
• dyslexia from 8 years of age;
• sickle cell type anemia (after 3 years).

Piracetam is not prescribed for treatment with:

• kidney dysfunction;
• cerebral hemorrhage;
• allergies to ingredients in Piracetam;
• pregnancy, breastfeeding and children under one year of age.

Treatment of cognitive disorders - daily dosage of 4.8 g for a week. Maintenance therapy 2.4 g. The daily dosage should be divided into 2 or 3 doses. The course of myoclonus is the initial dosage of 24 g for 3-4 days. If necessary, the course of treatment can be continued for up to 7 days. A repeat course must be carried out after 6 months. In old age, dosage adjustment is necessary.

Imported

Today, there are a large number of imported drugs that act as analogues of phenotropil. Among them are:

• "Piracetam";
• "Acefen";
• "Cogitum";
• "Vinpotropil";
• "Bravinton".

The above analogues have the same properties as the domestic drug called Phenotropil. The only disadvantage of medicines produced by a foreign manufacturer is the high cost of the drug.

The best

Sometimes there is a need to replace Phenotropil with a more effective option. Today, this is due to the fact that this drug is simply not available on the pharmacy window. Among the most powerful drugs that are analogues of phenotropil, it should be noted:

• "Cavinton";
• "Nootropil";
• "Lutsetam" and others.

It is worth noting that even the best analogue cannot completely replace the original medicine, since the main component can be supplemented with several additional substances.

When will it go on sale?

For many people, especially the elderly, this nootropic was vital. They would like the drug to return to pharmacy shelves and ask the question: when will phenotropil be on sale again?

According to the copyright holders, phenotropil with a new, improved formula will be produced. It will begin to be sold after it goes through all stages of registration procedures.

This drug exists in all registries. It is expected to appear in pharmacies at the end of 2021.