The choice of one or another nootropic drug is a very crucial step, which is best left to the attending physician. High tolerance of such medicines does not guarantee the complete absence of unpleasant side symptoms.
Since these nootropics have both common features and differences, they cannot both work well in the same case. It is very advisable to take such funds only as directed by the healthcare provider. After all, nootropic drugs are quite serious medicines, since we are talking about the brain.
In cases of impaired mental development in children, it is better to choose cerebrolysin. It is also best suited for recovery from stroke conditions. To treat a heart attack, you should buy Piracetam. In addition, it should be preferred for heart disease and cerebral palsy. It is also better suited for conditions in which continuous maintenance of cognitive functions is required.
In the modern world, nootropic drugs are very popular among people who experience regular mental stress. This type of drug includes drugs with many pharmacological properties and effects. Such medications can significantly improve brain activity, improve memory and protect this most important organ from the negative effects of environmental factors.
The variety of nootropics can sometimes lead to a dead end. But among them, “Piracetam” and “Cerebrolysin” are especially different. They have established themselves as highly effective agents with a wide spectrum of action. To make the right choice in favor of a particular drug, it is worth knowing what they are, as well as their similarities and differences.
“Piracetam”
Piracetam is a moderately effective and safe nootropics. The active substance of the drug is of the same name. The tool is available in three dosage forms.
- Tablets – 800 and 1200 mg each. A package usually contains 30 or 60 pieces.
- Capsules – in each 400 mg of the active ingredient. In one blister pack of 10, 15 or 20 pieces. Packages are different – from 1 to 10 blisters in one.
- Solution for injection – in one ampoule contains 5 ml of the active substance. Available in 5, 10 and 20 pieces per pack.
The drug in question has a number of pharmacological properties.
It is great for both sick and healthy people.
- It activates asocial processes in the central nervous system (CNS). Piracetam helps to improve mood, strengthen memory. The tool normalizes the ratio of ADP and ATP. It also increases the activity of phospholipase A and stimulates metabolic processes.
- Increases the resistance of cellular structures of the brain to oxygen starvation and toxic effects.
- It blocks platelet aggregation, thereby improving cerebral circulation.
- In the presence of hypoxia, traumatic brain injury or intoxication provides an anticonvulsant effect, providing a neuroprotective effect.
- There is no sedative effect. As a result, depression of the central nervous system is virtually eliminated.
This tool is widely used to treat disorders of a nervous, mental and narcological nature.
The main indications are:
- Diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system.
- Vascular dementia.
- Cerebral palsy.
- Brain injuries.
- Coronary artery disease.
- Atherosclerosis, hypertension and vascular parkinsonism.
- Neuroinfection of a viral nature.
- Intoxication.
- Myocardial infarction.
The medication is strictly prohibited for agitated depression, renal failure in the acute stage, hemorrhagic stroke and Huntington’s disease. It is also undesirable to take Piracetam for pregnant and lactating women. Treatment of children is acceptable after reaching 1 year.
In general, the drug is well tolerated. But sometimes some side effects are possible: drowsiness, dizziness, tremor, dyspeptic symptoms and others.
“Cerebrolysin”
Cerebrozilin, like the previous nootropic drug, belongs to the group of moderately effective and safe. The active substance is a cerebrolysin concentrate (a peptide complex isolated from the porcine brain). Available as an injection. In 1 ml of the drug contains 215.2 mg of the active ingredient. In the package there is 1 contour cell with 5 or 10 ampoules of brown glass. In each of 1, 2, 5, 10 or 20 ml of solution.
This tool has in its composition low molecular weight compounds. They quickly penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB) directly to nerve cells. As a result of this, a multimodal effect on all brain cells is provided.
Pharmacological properties:
- Metabolic – stimulates metabolic processes, which leads to an improvement in cerebral circulation.
- Neuroprotective – protects neurons from the aggressive effects of free radicals.
- Functional neuromodulatory – has a beneficial effect with a negative change in intellectual functions and improves memorization processes.
- Neutrophic – provides neuronal growth under the condition of peripheral administration (this unique quality is characteristic only for this nootropic).
Cerebrolysin is recommended for use in the following conditions:
- Severe functional disorders of the central nervous system.
- Mental retardation and hyperactivity disorder in children.
- Recovery from a stroke.
- Impaired attention.
- Injuries to the spinal cord and brain.
The drug can not be taken individual intolerance, epilepsy, exacerbation of renal failure, pregnancy and during breastfeeding. Tolerance is good, side effects are very rare. Unpleasant symptoms are as follows: jumps in blood pressure, decreased appetite, fatigue, lethargy, and depression.
What is common between drugs
There are many similarities between Pirametam and Cerebrolysin. Firstly, both of the considered drugs belong to the group of moderately effective and safe. This suggests that these nootropics are well tolerated and their side effects are infrequent.
Secondly, both of them have neuroprotective, metabolic and improve cognitive functions in general. Thirdly, both remedies are great for treating brain injuries.
Fourth, they are prohibited during pregnancy and lactation. Also, they can not be taken in chronic renal failure in the acute phase. Fifth, both are dispensed from pharmacies by prescription.
Comparison and differences
Despite its high efficiency, Cerebrolysin is the most effective nootropic drug. Moreover, the course of treatment through it is usually shorter than with Piracetam therapy. The first has a smaller list of contraindications.
Cerebrolysin has a unique property such as neurotrophic. Piracetam does not have it.
The first is better for treating myocardial infarction, and the second for rehabilitation after a stroke. The distinctive features of Piracetam are that it is often prescribed for various narcological and it has several forms of release. While cerebrolysin is sold only in ampoules.
