Quick Facts
| CAS Number | 7491-74-9 |
|---|---|
| Molecular Formula | C6H10N2O2 |
| Molecular Weight | 142.158 |
| Pharmacopoeia | EP/BP |
| Packaging | 25 KG/DRUM |
Product Overview
Piracetam was synthesized in 1964 by the Romanian-born neuroscientist Corneliu E. Giurgea at UCB Pharma in Belgium, marking the birth of an entirely new class of drugs: the nootropics. Giurgea himself coined the term "nootropic" from the Greek words nous (mind) and trepein (to bend) and defined five criteria a compound must meet: enhance learning and memory, facilitate interhemispheric information transfer, protect the brain against physical or chemical injury, increase cortical/subcortical control and lack sedation or stimulation. Piracetam was the first compound to meet all five and the racetam family that followed — aniracetam, oxiracetam, pramiracetam and levetiracetam — all trace their pharmacophore lineage to this original molecule.
Structurally, piracetam is a cyclic derivative of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) — specifically, it is 2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine acetamide. Despite this structural relationship, piracetam does not act at GABA receptors. Its primary mechanism involves positive allosteric modulation of AMPA-type glutamate receptors, which enhances excitatory neurotransmission in the hippocampus and cortex — regions critical for memory formation and learning. Additionally, piracetam improves membrane fluidity in aging neurons, increases cerebral blood flow and oxygen consumption and enhances cholinergic neurotransmission possibly through modulation of high-affinity choline uptake. This multi-target pharmacology distinguishes piracetam from single-receptor-targeted cognitive drugs.
Clinically, piracetam's strongest evidence base is in cortical myoclonus, where it is recommended as a first-line treatment by the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society, with doses of 7.2-24 g daily. For cognitive indications (age-related cognitive decline, post-stroke cognitive impairment, dementia), meta-analyses show modest but statistically significant benefits at doses of 2.4-4.8 g daily. In pediatric neurology, piracetam is used as an adjunct in dyslexia and for breath-holding spells. The combination of piracetam with cinnarizine (marketed as a fixed-dose combination in many countries) is widely prescribed for vertigo of peripheral and central origin.
As of mid-2026, piracetam's global market reflects a unique regulatory paradox: it is available as a prescription drug in most of Europe, Asia and Latin America, but classified as a dietary supplement in the United States where the FDA has not approved it as a drug. This creates a complex global supply chain where API destined for regulated pharmaceutical markets must meet EP/BP monograph standards with full GMP documentation, while supplement-grade material follows a different regulatory path. China and India dominate global piracetam API production and the product remains one of the highest-volume nootropic APIs traded internationally. KingWish supplies pharmaceutical-grade piracetam meeting EP/BP specifications under ICH Q7 GMP conditions.
Quality Specifications
| Purity (Titration) | ≥ 98.0% (dried basis), per EP/BP monograph |
|---|---|
| Related Substances | Individual impurity ≤ 0.1%, total impurities ≤ 0.3% (EP/BP) |
| 2-Pyrrolidone | ≤ 0.1% (key process impurity, EP test) |
| Residual Solvents | Compliant with ICH Q3C |
| Heavy Metals | ≤ 10 ppm |
| GMP Status | Manufactured under ICH Q7 GMP conditions |
Clinical Applications
Oral Tablets & Capsules
400 mg, 800 mg and 1200 mg tablets/capsules. Maintenance dose: 2.4-4.8 g daily in divided doses for cognitive disorders. High-dose: 7.2-24 g daily for cortical myoclonus.
Injectable & Oral Solution
1 g/5 mL and 3 g/15 mL injectable solutions for acute stroke and parenteral administration. 20% oral solution for pediatric use and patients with swallowing difficulties.
Therapeutic Areas
- Cortical myoclonus: First-line treatment per MDS guidelines. High-dose 7.2-24g daily. Improves myoclonus rating scores and functional disability.
- Cognitive impairment: Age-related cognitive decline, vascular dementia, post-stroke cognitive rehabilitation. Dose: 2.4-4.8g daily.
- Vertigo: Often combined with cinnarizine or betahistine for peripheral and central vestibular disorders.
- Pediatric indications: Adjunctive therapy in dyslexia, breath-holding spells and sickle cell disease-related cognitive effects.
Sourcing Piracetam API: Key Checks
Documentation
Request CoA with titration assay and HPLC impurity data (including 2-pyrrolidone content), residual solvent statement (ICH Q3C), heavy metals report and GMP certificate. For EU markets, EP compliance is essential; verify that the supplier's CoA explicitly references the current EP monograph.
Red Flags
Elevated 2-pyrrolidone above 0.1% (process impurity), missing EP-specific impurity tests (some suppliers only test to USP, which may lack piracetam-specific impurity controls) and prices significantly below market range may indicate non-pharmaceutical grade material.
Packaging & Logistics
Standard: 25 KG/DRUM with PE liner. Store at room temperature (15-30 deg C), protect from moisture. Piracetam is hygroscopic — ensure packaging integrity for sea freight shipments to humid destinations. Standard lead time 4-6 weeks.
Market Context
Piracetam is one of the highest-volume nootropic APIs traded globally. Regulatory status varies dramatically: prescription drug in EU/Asia/Latin America, dietary supplement in the US. This regulatory split creates distinct quality tiers. Pharmaceutical manufacturers must verify GMP compliance and EP/BP specification conformance regardless of destination market.