Skip to main content
Menu

Nootropil

The original racetam nootropic. Prescription/pharmacy medicine in Europe (not sold in the US), approved for cortical myoclonus and used for cognitive impairment. Evidence for boosting cognition in healthy people is weak; strongest data are in specific clinical conditions.

Medically Reviewed by
Lauren Phillips, MD
Fact Checked
Updated at
Our Editor Rating:4.0

Rating Methodology

Advertising Disclosure: We, BrainPower.org, the owner of this e-commerce website, fully intend to comply with the rules of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding the use of endorsements, testimonials, and general advertising and marketing content. As a visitor to Health Insiders, you should be aware that we may receive a fee for any products or services sold through this site.

Health Insiders participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.

The content may contain all or some of the following – product information, overviews, product specifications, and buying guides. All content is presented as a nominative product overview and registered trademarks, trademarks, and service-marks that appear on Health Insiders belong solely to their respective owners. If you see any content that you deem to be factually inaccurate, we ask that you contact us so we can remedy the situation. By doing so, we can continue to provide information that our readers can rely on for truth and accuracy.

FTC Disclosure of Material Connection: Products shown in the section titled ‘Alternatives’ are those that we promote as the owner and/ or reseller and do not represent all products currently on the market or companies manufacturing such products. In order to comply fully with FTC guidelines (This information is disclosed in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials”). We would like to make it clear that any and all links featured in this section are sales links; whenever a purchase is made via one of these links we will receive compensation. Health Insiders is an independently owned website and all opinions expressed on the site are our own or those of our contributors. Regardless of product sponsor relations, all editorial content found on our site is written and presented without bias or prejudice.

Nootropil

Nootropil is a trade name for a nootropic drug more popularly called Piracetam (especially in many European countries). It had been developed in the laboratories of a pharmaceutical company in Belgium called UCB (Union Chimique Belge). During its initial tests, scientists were surprised that not only was Piracetam considered a safe drug, but it also did many wonders when it comes to enhancing certain brain functions, even if the person was actually healthy.

What is Nootropil?

Nootropil is actually used to diminish certain kinds of movement disorders which are caused by brain diseases. This medication is often used to control, if not totally eradicate, the presence of sudden spasms of the muscles. However, the drug has been categorized as a nootropic as it is able to enhance certain brain functions such as in the areas of memory, learning ability, attention and the efficiency of the brain.

*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.

Nootropil Benefits

Most Nootropil users are actually Alzheimer’s and senile dementia patients who want to diminish their memory problems, mood changes and behavior disorders and dizziness. Alcoholics experiencing withdrawal symptoms use the drug for treatment as well. Emotional sphere disorders and speech disturbances have also been alleviated with the use of the nootropic.

Nootropil Side Effects

Even in the early stages of developing the drug, Nootropil was found to be a very safe drug, even when it is used on healthy patients. Most reported cases of users showing side effects have all been the mild and transient types. This includes general excitability – insomnia, headache, agitation and tremors – but these are only occasionally reported. Headache is also a common side effect when taking Nootropil.

As an additional warning, pregnant women and mothers who are breast-feeding must not use Nootropil. Elderly people and those with decreased kidney functions must use the drug with care.

*All individuals are unique. Your results can and will vary.

How Does Nootropil Help Brain Function?

Various experiments, which are also well supported by the testimonial of Nootropil users, have proven the many benefits that the drug can bring about. For example, it is able to treat the impairment in one’s cognitive abilities due to alcoholism. Initial studies have also found that it does the same to Alzheimer’s and senile dementia patients although this has to be fully explored yet.

Compared to its effect in improving the memory, Nootropil is said to effectively help in lowering feelings of depression and anxiety as well.

If you would like to know which supplements outperformed Nootropil in our survey, then take a look at our product review page!

Top Products for 2026

  • 1
    Editor's Choice
    Constant Focus

    A kitchen-sink herbal focus supplement combining many cognitive-support botanicals and nutrients. Some individual ingredients (Bacopa, huperzine A) have supporting data, but the proprietary blend itself is not clinically validated.

    5.0 of 5
    BUY IT NOWRead Review
  • 2
    Focus Factor

    One of America's best-known brain supplements for ~20 years. Essentially a multivitamin blended with common nootropic add-ins (DMAE, bacopa, ginkgo, phosphatidylserine). Popular and inexpensive, but the cognitive ingredients are under-dosed and clinical evidence for measurable benefit is thin.

    4.5 of 5767 reviews
    BUY IT NOWRead Review
  • 3
    HGH Factor

    An oral 'HGH releaser' built on amino acids (arginine, glutamine, ornithine) claimed to prompt natural growth-hormone production as a safer alternative to injections. Evidence is weak: amino-acid secretagogues need very high doses to affect HGH, and no rigorous data support this product's claims.

    4.5 of 5
    BUY IT NOWRead Review
  • 4
    Neuro Clarity

    An inexpensive OTC herbal-and-amino-acid nootropic blend built around St. John's Wort, DMAE and botanical extracts. Affordable and widely sold, but relies on a modest proprietary blend with limited clinical backing at the doses used. St. John's Wort also carries notable drug-interaction risk.

    4.5 of 5
    BUY IT NOWRead Review
  • 5
    Adderall

    A prescription central-nervous-system stimulant of mixed amphetamine salts approved for ADHD and narcolepsy. Strongly evidence-backed for its indications but carries abuse, dependence and cardiovascular risks; not a supplement.

    4.0 of 5
    BUY IT NOWRead Review

2026 © BrainPower.org, All rights reserved.