Memopil®

Piracetam

Prescribing Details



Description
Memopil ® is a preparation of Piracetam BP. It acts on the CNS and has been described as a 'nootropic'. Piracetam has therapeutic value in patients suffering from cognitive deficits, especially when hypoxia may be a factor in the deficits. Piracetam is said to protect the cerebral cortex against hypoxia and is reported to be an intelligence booster and CNS stimulant. Piracetam modulated neurotransmission and offers neuroprotection. Piracetam also inhibit platelet aggregation and reduce blood viscosity at high doses.

Uses
No Data

Indications
Memopil ® is indicated in -
  • Cerebral vascular accidents like stroke, head injuries and other acute cases.
  • Aging disorders such as reduced cerebral functioning evidenced by memory loss, intellectual decay, character disorders, psychomotor disorders etc
  • Adjunctive treatment of cortical myoclonus
  • Mental retardation in children

Dosage and administration
Adult
Cerebral vascular accidents: 3 gm piracetam every 6 hours in IV or IM route.
Aging disorders: 2.4 gm to 4.8 gm per day in divided dosage.
Cortical myoclonus: 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.

Children
Mental retardation in children: 50 mg/kg body weight in 3 divided doses.
Maintenance dose may be half of the initial dose when desired result has been obtained. Dosage should be reduced in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment.

Use in pregnancy & lactation
In animal studies piracetam was not teratogenic and had no effect on fertility at maximal tested dose. Piracetam readily crosses placental barrier, and very probably passes into the mother's milk. Since the safety of use in human pregnancy is not established, piracetam is to be avoided during pregnancy and lactation.

Geriatric use
No Data

Precautions
Patients suffering from renal disorders should take piracetam with caution and lower doses.

Side effects
Piracetam is reported to produce insomnia or somnolence, weight gain, hyperkinesia, nervousness, and depression. Diarrhea and rashes may occur at a lower frequency.

Contraindications
Piracetam is contraindicated in patients with severe renal insufficiency (renal creatinine clearance <20 ml/min), hepatic impairment.

Drug interactions
In a single case, confusion, irritability and sleep disorders were reported in concomitant use with thyroid extract (T3+T4). To date there are no known interactions with other drugs.

Overdose
No specific measure is indicated in case of overdose as piracetam appears to be devoid of toxicity even at very high doses. Close attention should be given to keeping the patient well hydrated and monitoring the urine flow.

Warnings
Abrupt discontinuation of treatment should be avoided as this may induce myoclonic or generalized seizures in some myoclonic patients.

Preparation
No Data

Pharmaceutical precautions
Store in a cool and dry place. Protect from light.

Presentation
Memopil ® 800 tablet : Each tablet contains Piracetam BP 800 mg.
Memopil ® 1200 tablet : Each tablet contains Piracetam BP 1200 mg.
Memopil ® syrup : Each 5 ml contains Piracetam BP 500 mg.

Package quantitie
Memopil ® 800 mg tablet : Carton of 50 tablets in blister.
Memopil ® 1200 mg tablet : Carton of 30 tablets in blister.
Memopil ® syrup : Bottle of 100 ml.