Drug Nomenclature
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Aniracetam is a nootropic drug that has been tried in senile dementia. It is given orally in usual doses of 1.5 g daily.
Proprietary Preparations
Argentina: Aniran; Conectol ; Pergamid;
Greece: Memodrin; Referan;
Italy: Ampamet; Draganon .
Drug Nomenclature
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Bifemelane is a nootropic that has been given orally in a usual dose of 150 mg of the hydrochloride daily in divided doses for the treatment of cerebrovascular disorders including some forms of dementia.
Proprietary Preparations
Argentina: Alemelano ; Cordinal; Neurocine; Neurolea.
Drug Nomenclature

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Choline alfoscerate is a precursor of acetylcholine and has been tried in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias (below). The usual oral dose is 0.8 to 1.2 g daily in divided doses; doses of 1 g daily have been given by intramuscular or slow intravenous injection.
Dementia.
Treatment with precursors of acetylcholine is not generally thought to be of benefit in dementia. However, in an analysis of 8 controlled clinical studies the use of choline alfoscerate in patients with dementia of the Alzheimer’s type, vascular dementia, or acute cerebrovascular disease was claimed to be of some benefit. Results of a further 3 uncontrolled studies in the same review suggested that it might favour functional recovery in patients with cerebral stroke.
Proprietary Preparations
Argentina: Gliatilin ;
Czech Republic: Gliatilin ;
Greece: Gliatilin;
Italy: Brezal; Delecit; Gliatilin;
Poland: Gliatilin;
Russia: Cerepro; Gliatilin.
Drug Nomenclature
European Pharmacopoeia, 6th ed., 2008 and Supplements 6.1 and 6.2 (Dihydroergocristine Mesilate). A white or almost white, fine crystalline powder. Slightly soluble in water; soluble in methyl alcohol. A 0.5% solution in water has a pH of 4.0 to 5.0. Protect from light.
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Dihydroergocristine mesilate is a component of codergocrine mesilate (above) and has similar actions. In some countries it has been given orally in doses of 3 to 6 mg daily in divided doses in the symptomatic treatment of mental deterioration associated with cerebrovascular insufficiency and in peripheral vascular disease. It has also been given by intramuscular or intravenous injection.
Preparations
Proprietary Preparations
Austria: Nehydrin;
Brazil: Iskemil; Iskevert ;
Greece: Agiobita; Alfacrist; Beytina; Cristil; Diertina; Ergobel; Ergocrist; Ergofil; Fenitina; Guadal; Memotil; Mentidose ; Normocedon; Thriolan; Tonergon;
Italy: Defluina ; Diertina Difluid ;
Portugal: Diertina;
Spain: Diertine; Ergodavur
Multi-ingredient
Argentina: Cervilane; Cinacris; Micerfin;
Austria: Brinerdin; Defluina;
Brazil: Isketam; Norogil; Vertizine D;
Chile: Cervilane;
Czech Republic: Anavenol; Crystepin; Ersilan; Neocrystepin; Trimecryton ;
France: Iskedyl;
Italy: Brinerdina;
Mexico: Cervilan;
Poland: Anavenol; Normatens; Venacorn;
Portugal: Brinerdine ; Cervilane ;
Russia: Anavenol; Crystepin;
South Africa: Brinerdin;
Spain: Brinerdina Clinadil; Diemil;
Switzerland: Brinerdine;
Thailand: Bedin; Brinerdin; Hyperdine.
Drug Nomenclature
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Dihydroergocryptine mesilate is a component of codergocrine mesilate and has similar actions. It has been given orally in doses of up to 20 mg daily for migraine, and in maintenance doses of up to 60 to 120 mg daily for parkinsonism. It has also been used for age-related dementia and to inhibit lactation. In some countries it has been given with caffeine for cerebrovascular and peripheral vascular disorders.
Preparations
Proprietary Preparations
Czech Republic: Almirid;
Germany; Almirid; Cripar;
Greece: Daverium;
Italy: Daverium;
Mexico: Diamin;
Poland: Almirid;
Portugal: Striatal;
Russia: Vasobral;
Switzerland: Cripar
Multi-ingredient
France: Vasobral;
Hong Kong; Vasobral;
Italy: Vasobral.
Drug Nomenclature
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Idazoxan hydrochloride is an alpha2-adrenoceptor antagonist that has been investigated in neurological disorders including depression, dementia, and parkinsonism.
Drug Nomenclature
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Idebenone has been used in the treatment of mental impairment associated with cerebrovascular disorders. A dose of 90 mg daily has been given orally in 2 divided doses after food. Idebenone has also been tried in Alzheimer’s disease. It has also been investigated for the management of various clinical manifestations of Friedreich’s ataxia and is used orally in a dose of 5 mg/kg daily in 3 divided doses for cardiomyopathy in this disease.
Idebenone is also available as a 1 % cream for the cosmetic treatment of wrinkles.
Dementia.
Idebenone was found to be safe and effective in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease when followed for up to 2 years. In a further study, its safety and efficacy were comparable to tacrine. However, another study found no clinically significant slowing of cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer’s disease treated with idebenone.
Friedreich’s ataxia.
Preliminary studies of idebenone in the treatment of Friedreich’s ataxia.
Preparations
Proprietary Preparations
Argentina: Esanic; Geniceral; Idesole; Nemocebral; Pavertrin; Sicoplus; Ulcourona ;
Italy: Daruma ; Mnesis;
Mexico: Lucebanol;
Portugal: Amizal; Cerestabon; Idecortex;
Russia: Noben;
Switzerland: Mnesis;
United States of America (US and USA): Prevage.
Multi-ingredient
Argentina: Idesole Plus; Nemocebral Plus.
Drug Nomenclature
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Nefiracetam acts on the CNS and has been described as a nootropic. It has been investigated in some cerebrovascular disorders and for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Drug Nomenclature
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Nizofenone has been investigated as a nootropic and cerebral vasodilator. It has been used parenterally as the fumarate.
Drug Nomenclature
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Oxiracetam has been used as a nootropic in organic brain syndromes and senile dementia.
Dementia.
Clinical benefit has been reported in patients with dementia given oxiracetam, but in the USA it was withdrawn from phase II clinical studies in patients with Alzheimer’s disease due to lack of efficacy.
Drug Nomenclature
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4-Phenylpiracetam is a nootropic and has been used in the management of various cerebrovascular disorders. It has also been abused in sport.
Proprietary Preparations
Russia: Phenotropil.
Drug Nomenclature
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Posatirelin is an analogue of protirelin. It is claimed to have beneficial effects on CNS function, and has been investigated in the management of dementia of various causes.
Drug Nomenclature
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Pramiracetam sulfate has been used in age-related memory impairment and senile dementia. It has also been tried, without much success, as an adjunct to ECT in severe depression.
Proprietary Preparations
Italy: Neupramir.
Drug Nomenclature
Pharmacopoeias. In China and Poland
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Pyritinol hydrochloride has been described as a nootropic that promotes the uptake of glucose by the brain. It has been used in the treatment of various cerebrovascular and mental function disorders. It has been given in a usual oral dose of 600 mg daily in 3 divided doses. Pyritinol hydrochloride has also been given as an alternative to penicillamine in rheumatoid arthritis. It is also an ingredient of various preparations promoted as tonics.
Preparations
Proprietary Preparations
Argentina: Epocan ;
Austria: Encephabol;
Chile: Encefabol;
Czech Republic: Encephabol; Enerbol;
Germany: Ardeyceryl P; Encephabol;
Hong Kong: Encephabol
Hungary: Enerbol ;
India: Encephabol;
Indonesia: Encepan; Encephabol; Enerbol;
Malaysia: Encephabol ; Fyritil;
Mexico: Bonifen ; Encephabol;
Philippines: Encephabol;
Portugal: Bonifen ; Cerbon;
Russia: Encephabol; Enerbol;
South Africa: Encephabol;
Singapore: Encephabol ;
Thailand: Encephabol; Memonol; Fyritil;
Venezuela: Aeon; Boniten; Bonitrop; Fitina; Garan.
Multi-ingredient
Argentina: Gabimex Plus;
Spain: Retulgin; Viadetres.
Drug Nomenclature
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Sabeluzole is a benzothiazole derivative with anticonvulsant and antihypoxic properties. It has been investigated in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and of sleep apnoea.
Drug Nomenclature
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Xanomeline is a selective muscarinic M: agonist. Xanomeline tartrate has been studied in the management of Alzheimer’s disease but drugs of this type have not generally produced benefit.
He knows everything about medications – to which pharmacological group the drug belongs, what components are included in its composition, how it differs from its analogs, what indications, contraindications, and side effects remedy has. John is a real pro in his field, so he knows all these subtleties and wants to tell you about them.