What's the matter?
In modern Russia, there are practically no different activating, stimulating substances available. Previously it was Ladasten, but in the end it stopped being produced, there was Bupropion until 2020, now they generally get jailed for it. There was Modafinil, which in most countries of the world is a medicine or a supplement, but in our country in 2012, suddenly it was a drug, and Mesocarb also disappeared.
Today, the substance phenylpiracetam, also known as phenylpiracetam, also known as Phenotropil, and now also known as Nanotropil Novo, is a more or less normal activating nootropic. He gets so much attention not because of his good life, this is not advertising (advertising as usual here) but because there are no pharmacy analogues. Although some will be further.
Indications for use
Among the indications are neurotic conditions accompanied by:
- excessive lethargy and fatigue;
- deterioration of psychomotor activity;
- decreased memory quality;
- impairment of cognitive functions.
Depressive conditions and pathologies of the central nervous system, characterized by impaired blood supply and metabolism in the brain, are also indications for taking the drug.
The drug is prescribed for diseases characterized by impaired intellectual-mnestic function; if necessary, invert sleep and wakefulness; for convulsive diseases; with schizophrenia in a flaccid course, as well as with nutritional-constitutional obesity.
It is used in the process of prevention in stressful situations, hypoxia, as well as to stimulate physical and mental performance.
The indication for Phenotropil is psychoorganic syndrome, which is accompanied by apathy, lethargy and mental disorders.
The drug is prescribed for chronic alcoholism in order to reduce depression, asthenia, and also to improve intellectual and mnestic functions.
What is inside
So, we’ll leave the name to the conscience of marketers; I can only recommend adding “Nanotropil Novo Forte Limited Edition”. In general, it doesn’t matter what name the candy has, as long as it’s tasty.
There are quite a lot of studies on phenylpiracetam or phenylpiracetam, the active ingredient of Nanotropil, within the country.
This substance may aid in recovery from organic brain damage, as the study writes: “Patients demonstrated increased mobility and daily activities, as well as less discomfort, anxiety, and depression (1).”
Phenylpiracetam reduces asthenia, when a person seems to have no strength, this is in a sample of more than 1000 people, which is not bad (2). Accelerates recovery after stroke, and again it is written that daily activity increases (3).
2 interesting experiments on animals: in both cases, the administration of phenotropil increased the circulating levels of interleukins (these are elements of the immune system), that is, indirectly this substance can support immunity (4, 5). They also write here about strengthening exploratory behavior.
Overall, a quick glance suggests that this is a mild stimulating nootropic, although for some, an extra pill in a day could completely disrupt sleep. Such people would be happy to believe in evidence-based medicine that nootropics do not work, but only sleeping pills help them sleep, and even then not always.
pharmachologic effect
The nootropic Phenotropil has a pronounced anti-amnesic effect. The drug is designed to improve memory, facilitate the learning process, and enhance concentration. The medication improves mood, raises the pain threshold, and increases performance. Once in the stomach orally, the active substance is quickly and easily absorbed, reaching the maximum concentration in plasma after an hour. The active ingredient is excreted unchanged in urine, sweat, and bile after four hours.
It is not metabolized in the body. The drug can be used to improve blood supply to the brain, activate and normalize redox processes. In ischemic areas of the brain, it is able to stimulate regional blood flow and improve blood supply to the lower extremities. The drug does not affect the level of gamma-aminobutyric acid, but increases the level of dopamine, adrenaline, serotonin, norepinephrine, which leads to improved mood and general well-being.
Long-term use of the drug leads to anorecigenic activity. The product can be classified as an immunostimulant; it improves vision. The medicine has no embryostatic effect and does not exhibit carcinogenic or mutagenic properties. The action begins after the first dose of the tablet. The critically lethal dose of Phenotropil for the blood supply is 800 mg.
Nanotropil is phenotropil?
Formally, everything is clear! The active ingredient is the same. Here it is worth paying more attention to the isomers of phenylpiracetam. There is an R-isomer and an S-isomer. This is a very important point that will manifest itself with greater force in the future. While they are scoring on him.
In 2011, there were first mentions of isomers, then motor, antidepressant and nootropic activity was compared. It turned out that R-Phenylpiracetam was approximately 2-5 times more active than S-Phenylpiracetam. The latter showed no nootropic effect at all, unlike R (6, 7). S-Phenylpiracetam is more touted as an appetite suppressant (8).
In April of this year, a study on the effectiveness of the R-Form flashed again (9).
In one patent for the R-isomer, several tests were performed to determine the level of motivation, typically involving rats and lever pressing. Well, for example, ordinary food was offered, easy to access and tasty, but you had to work hard to get it. And in three different tests, the level of motivation was higher than that of amphetamine and methylphenidate. Plus, the same patent says that R-Phenylpiracetam is stronger than S- (10). The patent, by the way, is held by a German pharmaceutical company with a billion euro revenue (Merz Pharma GmbH & Co. KGaA), but they stopped development after 2015.
Olainfarm, known for its Latvian phenibut (11), is now active with the same isomer; they also indicate in detail the details of the synthesis of this molecule. A pure R-isomer may appear within a few years.
Nanotropil rushing?
According to documents, Nanotropil and Phenotropil always had a mixture of R and S isomers (12). At the same time, the active, “psychostimulating” part is R-, the effects are variable, but how much? What is the probability that Nanotropil will work perfectly? If taken without a doctor's indication, of course)
Data from our survey on Nanotropil: this is not medicine, but the sample turned out to be large. If we discard the answers of those who have not used this substance (79%), it turns out that 28-29% notice a pronounced effect and the same number believe that it is a placebo, the rest, about 43-44%, say that the effect is definitely present, not too strong, but not a dummy either. There are a lot of interesting reviews from real people in the comments; if you want to read them, click here.
It turns out that 71-74% of respondents out of more than 1,500 people speak about more or less strong effects of Nanotropil. When you hear that R-Phenylpiracetam has appeared, then there is a chance that the effectiveness will increase to 90-95%.
According to the instructions, Nanotropil is taken in doses of up to 700 mg per day, more often 100-300 mg after meals. From practice, it was noticed that the effect is stronger if taken in the morning on an empty stomach, 60 minutes before meals with strong insoluble coffee or good green tea.
Features of medicines
There is no ideal medication that can be used to get rid of both the symptoms and the cause of this condition. All medications for vegetative vascular dystonia are conventionally divided into the following groups:
- Sedatives.
- Vasodilators.
- Antidepressants for VSD.
- Tranquilizers for VSD.
It is possible to answer the question of how to treat the pathology only after examination and identification of the root cause. In some cases, the emphasis is on the use of antidepressants, in others the patient is prescribed nootropics for VSD.
You cannot “diagnose” the problem yourself and drink strong medications uncontrollably. Otherwise, vegetative vascular dystonia will be even more severe.
The patient is prescribed the following sedatives for VSD:
- Novopassit
- Motherwort
- Persen
- Sedafiton
- Dormiplant
- Valerian
- Gerbion
- Cardiplant
- Green drops
- Sodium bromide
- Anthonycin
- Corvalol
- Bromcamphor
- Validol
Also, for the treatment of vegetative vascular dystonia in women and men, sedative medications with extracts of Baikal skullcap, astragalus, and wild rosemary are prescribed.
Sometimes dystonia is treated with powerful medications, which are a combination of barbiturates with herbal ingredients. Medicines such as Corvalol, Barboval, Valocordin are prescribed.
The following vasodilator drugs are prescribed for vegetative vascular dystonia:
- Vinpocetine.
- Asparkam.
- Panangin.
- Alpha adrenergic blockers.
- Sympatholytics.
The best alpha-blocker is Atenolol.
The patient is prescribed medications for vegetative-vascular dystonia, such as:
- Sertarlin.
- Coaxil.
- Paroxetine.
- Sydnofen.
- Amitriptyline.
These drugs for VSD help fight depressive and subdepressive symptoms.
Vegetative vascular dystonia can be treated with medications such as:
- Pantogam
- Noofen
- Lutsetam
- Piracetam
- Glycine
Such tablets for vegetative-vascular dystonia help restore attention, improve memory and concentration. With their help, you can cope with such unpleasant conditions as dizziness during VSD, as well as weakness and fatigue. Aspirin will help cope with mild dizziness. Betagistine is also prescribed
The following tablets are prescribed for vegetative-vascular dystonia:
- Pentoxifylline.
- Oxybral.
- Stugeron.
- Cavinton.
These drugs are prescribed to improve blood circulation in the brain. They are designed to cope with headaches. These are very effective remedies for VSD. They are used simultaneously with the main methods of treating pathology. Aspirin will help relieve a mild headache.
Treatment of vegetative vascular dystonia in women involves taking a medication such as Vinoxin. It has a beneficial effect on vascular walls and relieves headaches.
Normalization of blood pressure
With elevated blood pressure, autonomic dystonia involves taking medications such as Anaprilin and Metoprolol. When blood pressure drops, Mezaton and Rhodiola rosea are recommended. Both infusions and drops are prescribed.
To relieve chest pain, Mildronate is prescribed for VSD. Riboxin also helps a lot.
Sometimes the attending physician has to prescribe the following drugs for VSD:
- Propranol.
- Anaprilin
- Mexidol
- Riboxin.
- Actovegin.
The drugs most commonly prescribed are beta blockers. Also, the doctor who has identified the symptoms and treatment may prescribe adaptogens.
Beta blockers work well with enzyme supplements. At the same time, vitamins are prescribed for VSD.
What to take? Doctors recommend treating vegetative vascular dystonia at home with vitamins B and C.
Sleeping pills help treat sleep disorders with VSD. If signs of insomnia appear in adults, they are recommended to drink:
- Dormikum.
- Donormil.
- Zolpidem.
If the patient has a mild degree of sleep disturbance, then he is prescribed Barboval drops.
These are quite good drugs that have a powerful sedative effect. But you should be careful with some prescribed medications. They belong to tranquilizers and neuroleptics. You can’t take them for a long time if you have VSD.
Homeopathy for VSD helps to get rid of the root cause of the pathology. When making the appropriate decision, the attending physician undertakes to take into account the possibility of adjusting the consequences in adults. In rare cases, homeopathy for VSD contributes to the occurrence of side effects. The best homeopathic remedies are:
- Neurohel;
- Pumpan;
- Cardio Gran.
Taking medications depends on how severe the VSD is. It also takes into account which symptoms the person complains about most.
Adaptol
Sometimes tranquilizers are prescribed for the treatment of vegetative vascular dystonia in men and women. According to some doctors, Adaptol is the best drug in this group.
Its use helps to enhance serotonin levels in brain tissue. Adaptol for VSD has a beneficial effect on the central nervous system. No peripheral parts are affected. The result of its impact is almost similar to the effect of antidepressants.
This medicine for VSD has a specific taste. The instructions for use state that it should be combined with those drugs that give a sedative and psychotropic effect. You should not take these tablets at the same time as alcoholic beverages.
It is best to take this medicine that helps with VSD at the initial stage of the pathology. In case of exacerbation, it helps little.
Actovegin
This remedy for vegetative-vascular dystonia combines fatty acids with minerals. It has a powerful antioxidant effect and helps stop metabolic abnormalities in the functioning of the brain. Prevents the development of vascular pathology.
To treat this pathology, injections are prescribed. They are placed in the muscle.
Andipal
To enhance the hypotensive effect of beta-blockers and slow calcium channel blockers, the patient may be prescribed Andipal.
For adults, the drug is prescribed orally. The maximum permissible dosage is 1 tablet, twice or thrice/24 hours. The duration of the therapeutic course is 15-20 days.
It is not recommended to take Andipal for people suffering from decompensated chronic heart failure. In case of overdose, side effects such as drowsiness and decreased speed of psychomotor reactions appear.
Amitriptyline
One of the most powerful tricyclic antidepressants is Amitriptyline. This medicine is taken only with a prescription from your doctor. Amitriptyline for VSD helps reduce anxiety. This remedy also has a good effect on the general condition.
Askorutin
When the body lacks vitamins C or P, ascorutin is prescribed. It strengthens the immune system and reduces the risk of ascorbic acid destruction.
As the instructions for use say, Ascorutin is taken orally. It is not prescribed for the treatment of the main symptoms of VSD.
Ascorutin has a beneficial effect on the condition of cerebral vessels during VSD. Not prescribed during pregnancy. Sometimes Ascorutin contributes to headaches.
Andipal
If blood pressure rises against the background of VSD, then the best remedy for VSD is Andipal. The use of this medicine is especially effective in stage 1 arterial hypertension. At high blood pressure, Andipal has a mild sedative and hypotensive effect. It contains papaverine and dibazole. They have not only a symptomatic effect.
With elevated blood pressure, Andipal is taken not occasionally, but systematically. These tablets for VSD help restore the tone of the vascular walls and reduce the risk of developing hypertension.
Andipal is contraindicated for children under 14 years of age. They are recommended its analogues - Papazol and Drotaverine.
Afobazole
What should I take to prevent anxiety conditions that usually occur with autonomic disorder? According to reviews, the best remedy is Afobazol.
It enhances the anti-anxiety effect of Diazepam.
Afobazole for VSD gives an effect for about 21-30 days. Not recommended for children and pregnant women.
Betaserk
One of the effective histamine analogues is Betaserc. It acts on the H1-H2 receptors of the inner ear and vestibular nuclei of the central nervous system.
Betaserc helps with headaches due to VSD. Another indication is vestibular vertigo. Betaserc helps improve microcirculation and capillary permeability.
According to the instructions for use, this medicine is taken before meals. Betaserc is not recommended for persons with sensitivity to its components.
Bisoprolol
Sometimes treatment of VSD involves the use of beta-blockers. Such a drug is Bisoprolol. Its action is based on blocking some receptors that are located in the heart. Taking this medicine for VSD helps stop excessive stimulation of the heart. This leads to a decrease in blood pressure.
Bisoprolol is prescribed for:
- Angina pectoris.
- Arrhythmias.
- Heart failure.
Bisoprolol helps improve the electrical stability of the myocardium. This gives an antiarrhythmic effect. If vegetative-vascular dystonia is combined with heart failure, then this medicine can be taken only if the pathology is at a stable stage.
According to the instructions, Bisoprolol is contraindicated in persons with bradycardia.
All medications recommended for VSD are included in the following list:
- Adaptol.
- Actovegin.
- Amitriptyline.
- Anaprilin.
- Andipal.
- Ascorutin.
- Atarax.
- Atenolol.
- Afobazol.
- Betahistine.
- Betaserk.
- Bisoprolol.
- Vaso collected.
- Valemidin.
- Valerian.
- Validol.
- Valocordin.
- Valoserdin.
- Westinorm.
- Vinoxin.
- Vinpocetine.
- Ginkgo biloba.
- Glycine.
- Grandaxin.
- Darsonval.
- Ginseng.
- Zoloft.
- Cavinton.
- Drops of greenery.
- Clonazepam.
- Combilipen.
- Concor.
- Corvalol.
- Cortexin.
- Lutsetam.
- Magnesia.
- Magnesium.
- Mexidol.
- Mexiprim.
- Meldonium.
- Mydocalm.
- Mildronate.
- Milgamma.
- Peony tincture.
- A nicotinic acid.
- Novopassit.
- Noopept.
- Nootropil.
- Noshpa.
- Panangin.
- Pantogam.
- Papazol.
- Persen.
- Picamilon.
- Piracetam.
- Motherwort.
- Riboxin.
- Spasmalgon.
- Strezam.
- Stugeron.
- Tanakan.
- Tenoten.
- Teraligen.
- Troxevasin.
- Phezam.
- Phenazepam.
- Phenibut.
- Phenotropil.
- Fluoxetine.
- Ceraxon.
- Cinnarizine.
- Cipralex.
- Cytoflavin.
- Citramon.
- Cigapan.
- Evalar.
- Eglonil.
- Elastin.
- Eleutherococcus.
- Eltacin.
- Eltsin.
- Antonycin.
- Eufillin.
- Succinic acid.
Phenotropil's analogs
There is a chance that another Phenylpiracetam will soon appear, in addition to Nanotropil from, at least there is a registration dated June 19 of a certain Actitropil. Sales are planned in 50 mg and 100 mg doses in the 1st table (13).
It's kind of a murky story with the manufacturers in general. The inventor and patent holder for Phenotropil, Valentina Akhapkina, sought to further develop this medicine and introduce it into children's practice, but in 2017, disagreements arose with the manufacturer, Phenotropil disappeared (14). The rights to it were transferred to the inventors Valentina and Roman Akhapkin and it seems like they wanted to start production, but have not started yet. Nanotropil circumvented Phenotropil's patent by adding one component to the composition, less than 1% of the total mass, which is insignificant (15).
And the manufacturer of Actitropil is now suing the inventors against the exclusive right to Phenotropil (16).
Well, and a little more strangeness, in an article from 2013, Valentina Akhapkina calls it vulgar that phenotropil is called phenylpiracetam, although this is written in the register of medicines (17), and she also reports there that the Ukrainian analogue of phenotropil, Entrop, differs in composition.
In short, everything is confusing, I don’t think there is any right or wrong here! Sales of phenotropil for 2020 were around 1 billion rubles (18), here everyone wants to be a monopolist!
Summary: there is already Nanotropil, soon there may be Actitropil in pharmacies and, if the inventors Akhapkiny start, there will be a third option, quite possibly with the name Phenotropil (for now there are scammers working from the company Vira Innfarm).
special instructions
With psycho-emotional exhaustion, overwork, and systematic stress, the body’s need to take the drug for sleep may increase. In such situations, it is recommended to use the drug on weekends.
The drug should be prescribed with extreme caution in case of atherosclerosis, a history of panic attacks, pathologies of the kidneys, liver, or during acute psychotic conditions.
Before using the medicine, you should read the instructions for Phenotropil.
Replacing Phenotropil
Since Nanotropil has a psychostimulant bias, but is still not a pure stimulant like DMAA or Yohimbine, there are not many alternatives. Again, not scientific, but the effects are similar to Enerion, Caffeine and Modafinil, the latter only if it is legal in your country.
According to the mechanism of action, there are overlaps with Sibutramine. This is already a serious substance, closer to an activating antidepressant with a strong appetite suppressant effect, since the reuptake of Serotonin and Norepinephrine is blocked, it is sold by prescription for the treatment of obesity, but in fact it is a pure antidepressant from the SSRI group.
