Pramiracetam – what does the “forgotten” compound from the racetam group hide?

The last decades of the 20th century were a period of intensive research on compounds belonging to the racetam group. Scientists realised that such substances might have enormous nootropic potential. Pramiracetam, among others, was one of the relatively wide ranges of compounds studied. Unfortunately, this compound ended up like many other substances, as the scientists stopped their research. As a result, only a few completed trials may hold some clues to the properties and effects of pramiracetam. So what exactly do we know about this compound, and is it worth supplementing today?

How was pramiracetam developed?

The beginning of pramiracetam’s history dates back to the late 1970s. It was then that scientists employed by Parke-Davis&Company succeeded in synthesising a new compound from the racetam group. It was identified as pramiracetam, and its creators obtained a patent for the development of its discovery. Initially, pramiracetam was to be used as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. However, the results of the research were mixed, so interest in the compound began to decline.

However, the Italian company Menarini became interested in pramiracetam and launched a preparation containing this compound. This was a drug sold under the name Pramistar. The pramiracetam contained in it was supposed to help people suffering from cognitive impairment resulting from neurodegradative diseases. Later, new studies were also initiated on the effect of pramiracetam on the recovery of mental abilities after trauma. The patients included mainly young men who had suffered various head injuries. The experiment was a success, as the researchers showed that taking pramiracetam improved the patients’ memory.

Unfortunately, a small number of scientific studies curtailed the further development of pramiracetam. As a result, pramiracetam eventually lost its drug status, and it seemed that it would disappear from the market altogether. However, the reality turned out to be quite different.

Pramiracetam as a supplement with nootropic effect

Pramiracetam was not the only compound from the racetam group to be “abandoned” at the clinical trials stage. This was primarily due to other manufacturer expectations. Here it should be recalled that the manufacturers of racetams were mainly pharmaceutical corporations. Such entities are focused on selling drugs, which sometimes may even be granted reimbursement status. Therefore, the mixed results of studies on the properties of racetams led to their further development being abandoned. Fortunately, the knowledge already gained has not disappeared…

This, by the way, brought racetams to the attention of dietary supplement companies shortly. In addition, it was a time when the world began to pay more and more attention to preparations with nootropic effects. This meant that manufacturers of such products found themselves in a very comfortable position.

Pramiracetam – what does the “forgotten” compound from the racetam group hide?

The last decades of the 20th century were a period of intensive research on compounds belonging to the racetam group. Scientists realised that such substances might have enormous nootropic potential. Pramiracetam, among others, was one of the relatively wide ranges of compounds studied. Unfortunately, this compound ended up like many other substances, as the scientists stopped their research. As a result, only a few completed trials may hold some clues to the properties and effects of pramiracetam. So what exactly do we know about this compound, and is it worth supplementing today?

How was pramiracetam developed?

The beginning of pramiracetam’s history dates back to the late 1970s. It was then that scientists employed by Parke-Davis&Company succeeded in synthesising a new compound from the racetam group. It was identified as pramiracetam, and its creators obtained a patent for the development of its discovery. Initially, pramiracetam was to be used as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. However, the results of the research were mixed, so interest in the compound began to decline.

However, the Italian company Menarini became interested in pramiracetam and launched a preparation containing this compound. This was a drug sold under the name Pramistar. The pramiracetam contained in it was supposed to help people suffering from cognitive impairment resulting from neurodegradative diseases. Later, new studies were also initiated on the effect of pramiracetam on the recovery of mental abilities after trauma. The patients included mainly young men who had suffered various head injuries. The experiment was a success, as the researchers showed that taking pramiracetam improved the patients’ memory.

Unfortunately, a small number of scientific studies curtailed the further development of pramiracetam. As a result, pramiracetam eventually lost its drug status, and it seemed that it would disappear from the market altogether. However, the reality turned out to be quite different.

Pramiracetam as a supplement with nootropic effect

Pramiracetam was not the only compound from the racetam group to be “abandoned” at the clinical trials stage. This was primarily due to other manufacturer expectations. Here it should be recalled that the manufacturers of racetams were mainly pharmaceutical corporations. Such entities are focused on selling drugs, which sometimes may even be granted reimbursement status. Therefore, the mixed results of studies on the properties of racetams led to their further development being abandoned. Fortunately, the knowledge already gained has not disappeared…

This, by the way, brought racetams to the attention of dietary supplement companies shortly. In addition, it was a time when the world began to pay more and more attention to preparations with nootropic effects. This meant that manufacturers of such products found themselves in a very comfortable position.
Pramiracetam was already a relatively well-known compound. The results of studies showed that it accelerated the recovery of cognitive abilities in people who had suffered extensive head injuries. In this respect, the most noticeable effect was memory improvement. This, in turn, could mean that pramiracetam’s properties would also benefit healthy people. This is why some manufacturers have taken the bold decision to market pramiracetam-containing supplements-nootropics.

Action and dosage of pramiracetam – how should it be taken?

Since pramiracetam was introduced to the nootropic market, plenty of people have tested its effects. Indeed, the most frequently reported effects have been specifically about memory improvement. Currently, researchers believe that this is a result of the positive impact of pramiracetam on acetylcholine synthesis. Thanks to such supplementation, more choline would get directly to the neurons where acetylcholine synthesis takes place. This, in turn, would explain the perceived improvement of memory because acetylcholine is critical in this respect.

The effect on other cognitive abilities is essentially an individual matter. Some people taking pramiracetam also reported positive results on, e.g. concentration. However, at this point, it would be not easy to draw clear conclusions describing the exact mode of action of pramiracetam.

Increased synthesis of acetylcholine may result in a simultaneous decrease in the level of its precursor – choline. Therefore, all people using this form of supplementation are recommended to take preparations with choline in parallel. Here, the best choice will undoubtedly be supplemented containing Alpha-GPC.

The dosage of pramiracetam has not been clearly defined. Scientists used doses ranging from several hundred to even 3-4 thousand milligrams during clinical trials. However, it is worth recalling the golden rule of supplementation, i.e. starting with the lowest possible doses. Therefore, the beginning of pramiracetam treatment should assume the intake of 400-500 milligrams at a time (2-3 times a day). If, after time, the effect becomes weaker, the dose may be gradually increased.

Summary

The current state of knowledge about pramiracetam does not differ significantly from the information gathered about other nootropics. Initially, pramiracetam was used as a drug, and even today, one can find results of clinical trials conducted with its participation. However, pramiracetam is currently only available as a dietary supplement.

As far as its effects are concerned, it was found that it mainly improves memory during these clinical studies. This effect is also reported, especially by people taking pramiracetam in supplement form. In addition, a few reports also mention improvements in other cognitive abilities as a result of pramiracetam. As for the supplementation itself, the compound should be taken 2-3 times a day in doses of around 500 mg. Importantly, choline-containing preparations are worth taking alongside pramiracetam to prevent choline levels from falling.