Supplements Dietary Supplements What Is Aniracetam? This non-prescription drug is believed to boost memory and cognition By Cathy Wong Cathy Wong Facebook Twitter Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. Learn about our editorial process Updated on August 05, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD Medically reviewed by Nicholas R. Metrus, MD LinkedIn Nicholas R. Metrus, MD, is a board-certified neurologist and neuro-oncologist. He currently serves at the Glasser Brain Tumor Center in Summit, New Jersey. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak Table of Contents View All Table of Contents How Nootropics Work What Is Aniracetam Is Used For? Possible Side Effects Dosage and Preparation What to Look For Aniracetam (N-anisoyl-2-pyrrolidinone) is a nootropic drug, meaning it's believed to improve: MemoryCreativityMotivationMental sharpness It's available by prescription in Europe and sold in the U.S. as a dietary supplement. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn't approved it for any use. This article will look at how aniracetam works, what research says about its possible health benefits, side effects, dosages, and what to look for when buying it. Common Brand Names AmpametDraganonMemodrinReferanSarpul How Nootropics Work Nootropics are often called "smart drugs" and some healthy people use them as brain boosters. Most health experts point out that there's not enough support for this. The category includes: Caffeine, which provides short-term bursts of mental clarity Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drugs like Ritalin (methylphenidate) and Provigil (modafinil) Many less-well understood drugs like aniracetam Other Nootropics Nootropics that are closely related to aniracetam include: Piracetam Fasoracetam Phenylpiracetam Adrafinil What Is Aniracetam Is Used For? Aniracetam has been around since the 1970s. It works on part of a brain cell (neuron) called an AMPA receptor. AMPA stands for αlpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid. AMPA receptors help signals move quickly between neurons. By stimulating receptors, aniracetam may improve memory, concentration, and alertness. Parts of a Neuron Some manufacturers say aniracetam can treat: Clinical depression Alzheimer's disease ADHD Sleep disorders Motion sickness However, these claims aren't supported by research. To date, little clinical evidence backs aniracetam for treating any medical condition. Cognitive Function and Mood Research on aniracetam for cognitive function and mood has mixed results. On the positive side: Researchers involved in a large study said taking aniracetam for a year improved mood and cognitive function in elderly people. They say it worked better and had fewer side effects than standard Alzheimer's drugs. A 2018 analysis of studies said aniracetam and similar drugs were effective for cognitive dysfunction in young adults with vascular dementia. And a 2016 review said aniracetam and similar drugs showed promise for depression. On the negative side: Several studies have shown no mental benefit in mice or pigeons. Animal studies are usually considered less valuable than human trials. However, they tend to have better controls and measures when it comes to functional memory. Also, the large human study is often criticized as being poor quality and possibly biased, which casts doubt on its conclusions. Recap Nootropics are touted as "brain-boosters." While there are studies that provide some evidence that aniracetam can improve cognitive function and mood, on the whole, research isn't strong enough to support its use for these purposes. Mild Cognitive Impairment vs. Alzheimer's Disease Possible Side Effects Little is known about the long-term safety of aniracetam. Studies suggest it's well-tolerated up to one year. Side effects are mild and include: InsomniaHeadachesAnxietyIrritabilityVertigoNauseaDiarrhea Aniracetam can interact with some medications. In most cases, it amplifies the other drug's effects. Known interactions include: Anticoagulants: Coumadin (warfarin) Anticonvulsants: Neurontin (gabapentin), Lyrica (pregabalin) Antidepressants: like Wellbutrin (bupropion) Antihistamines: Zyrtec (cetirizine), Claritin (loratadine) Antipsychotics: Zyprexa (olanzapine) Anesthetics: Diprivan (propofol) Benzodiazepines: Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam) HIV drugs: Sustiva (efavirenz) Opiates: OxyContin (oxycodone), Vicodin (hydrocodone-acetaminophen) Sedatives: Ambien (zolpidem) If you take any of these drugs, talk to your healthcare provider about whether aniracetam is safe. Don't start a supplement or stop a prescription drug without your healthcare provider's OK. This drug's safety in childhood, pregnancy, or breastfeeding hasn't been established. Dosage and Preparation Aniracetam is often sold as a 750-milligram (mg) capsule, in powder form, or as part of "brain-boosting" multi-supplements. Clinical studies have used up to 1,500 mg daily with no notable side effects. Never exceed the recommended dose on a supplement's label. That can increase the side effect risk, and higher doses often don't mean more benefits. Before starting aniracetam, talk to your healthcare provider about any medical concerns you have and whether aniracetam may be a reasonable option for you. Trying to self-treat a medical condition involving memory loss or cognition can delay proper diagnosis and treatment. What to Look For In the U.S., aniracetam is widely available online and in some supplement shops. In general, avoid dietary supplements that make health claims, which tend to be unsupported or exaggerated. Remember that supplements do not go through the same strict testing as prescription drugs and making such claims is not permitted. Nootropics manufacturers have come under fire for false advertising. In 2019, the FDA and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) both issued warnings about marketing scams and false health claims. Supplements vary between brands. Look for independent certifications by: U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP)NSF InternationalConsumerLab Certification means the product contains the ingredients on the label and nothing else. Protect Yourself From Medical Scams Summary Aniracetam is a purported brain-boosting product sold as a supplement in the U.S. Evidence for its effectiveness is weak despite a nearly 50-year history. If you take aniracetam, be on alert for side effects and interactions with other drugs you take. Be sure to involve your healthcare provider in the decision to take aniracetam. A Word From Verywell If you want a cognitive boost due to illness or just to be smarter, don't be taken in by false claims. Ask your healthcare provider and pharmacists for help finding treatments that are proven safe and effective. Mood and Brain-Boosting Supplements Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 8 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School. Don't buy into brain health supplements. Koliaki CC, Messini C, Tsolaki M. Clinical efficacy of aniracetam, either as monotherapy or combined with cholinesterase inhibitors, in patients with cognitive impairment: A comparative open study. CNS Neurosci Ther. 2012;18(4):302-12. doi:10.1111/j.1755-5949.2010.00244.x Perng CH, Chang YC, Tzang RF. The treatment of cognitive dysfunction in dementia: a multiple treatments meta-analysis. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2018;235(5):1571-1580. doi:10.1007/s00213-018-4867-y Deutschenbaur L, Beck J, Kiyhankhadiv A, et al. Role of calcium, glutamate and NMDA in major depression and therapeutic application. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry. 2016;64:325-333. doi:10.1016/j.pnpbp.2015.02.015 Reynolds CD, Jefferson TS, Volquardsen M, et al. Oral aniracetam treatment in C57BL/6J mice without pre-existing cognitive dysfunction reveals no changes in learning, memory, anxiety or stereotypy. F1000Res. 2017;6:1452. doi:10.12688/f1000research.11023.3 Phillips H, McDowell A, Mielby BS, et al. Aniracetam does not improve working memory in neurologically healthy pigeons. PLoS One. 2019;14(4):e0215612. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0215612 Canadian Institutes of Health. Aniracetam. U.S. Federal Trade Commission. FTC and FDA send warning letters to companies selling dietary supplements claiming to treat Alzheimer's disease and remediate or cure other serious illnesses such as Parkinson's, heart disease, and cancer.