Adderall 200 mg
Can You Overdose on Adderall? Dosage, Symptoms, Treatment
It’s possible to overdose on Adderall, especially if you take it with other drugs or medications.
Adderall is the brand name for amphetamine/dextroamphetamine, a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant.
The medication is used to help treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. Many people also misuse Adderall to increase their productivity and memory, although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t approved this usage.
As a CNS stimulant, Adderall can have a wide range of effects on the body. It can also be extremely dangerous if it’s not taken under medical supervision. For this reason, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) considers Adderall a Schedule II controlled substance, which is a drug that can lead to severe dependence.
Children taking Adderall should be monitored very carefully to ensure that they’re taking the correct dose. An overdose can be fatal.
The prescribed amount typically ranges from 2.5 to 60 milligrams (mg) per day. This amount may be split between doses throughout the day.
Your dosage will depend on whether you take tablets (Adderall) or extended-release capsules (Adderall XR).
Adderall is FDA approved to treat ADHD and narcolepsy:
- For children with ADHD who are between 3 and 5 years old and taking Adderall, the prescribed amount may be 2.5 mg per day.
- For people with ADHD who are at least 6 years old, the starting dosage may be 5 mg or 10 mg per day.
- For children with narcolepsy who are between 6 and 12 years old, the starting dosage may be 5 mg per day.
- For people with narcolepsy who are at least 12 years old, the starting dosage may be 10 mg per day.
Adderall XR is only FDA approved to treat ADHD:
- People with ADHD who are between 6 and 17 years old and taking Adderall XR typically start with a dosage of 10 mg per day.
- Adults with ADHD may be prescribed a starting dosage of 20 mg per day.
Your doctor may gradually increase your dosage until you can manage your symptoms.
The amount of Adderall or Adderall XR that could potentially lead to an overdose varies widely from person to person. It depends on how much you’ve ingested and how sensitive you are to stimulants.
A lethal dose results in death. For adults, a lethal dose of amphetamine is reportedly between 20 mg to 25 mg per kilogram (kg) of body weight. For children, it’s 5 mg/kg.
For example, a lethal dose for an adult who weighs 70 kg (154 pounds) is between 1,400 mg and 1,750 mg. This is significantly more than the highest prescribed dose. However, a lethal dose has also been reported from as little as 1.5 mg/kg in an adult.
Never take more than your prescribed dose. If you feel as if your current dose is no longer working, talk with your doctor about your concerns. They can evaluate your current prescription and make adjustments as needed.
It’s possible to overdose on less than the lethal dose of Adderall or Adderall XR if you’re also taking other drugs or medications.
For instance, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) can increase the effects of these medications and increase your risk of overdose. MAOIs are a class of antidepressants.
Common MAOIs include:
- isocarboxazid (Marplan)
- phenelzine (Nardil)
- selegiline (Emsam, Zelapar)
Taking drugs that inhibit the CYP2D6 enzyme — even at a low dose — can also increase your risk of negative side effects. CYP2D6 inhibitors are used to address a range of conditions.
Common CYP2D6 inhibitors include:
- bupropion (Aplenzin, Forfivo XL, Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL)
- cinacalcet (Sensipar)
- fluoxetine (Prozac)
- paroxetine (Paxil, Paxil CR, Pexeva)
- quinidine
- terbinafine
Always talk with a doctor about any medications you’re taking. This includes over-the-counter (OTC) medications, vitamins, and other nutritional supplements.
These discussions will help the doctor choose the right medication and dosage to reduce your risk of drug interaction.
Overdosing on Adderall, Adderall XR, or other amphetamines can cause mild to severe symptoms. In some cases, death is possible.
Your individual symptoms will depend on:
- how much Adderall or Adderall XR you took
- your body chemistry and how sensitive you are to stimulants
- whether you took the medication in conjunction with other drugs or medications
Common side effects
As with most medications, Adderall and Adderall XR can cause mild side effects, even at a low dose.
Common side effects of Adderall, Adderall XR, or both include:
- loss of appetite
- headaches
- dizziness
- nervousness
- insomnia
- stomachache
- weight loss
- diarrhea
- dry mouth
These side effects usually aren’t serious. If you experience these side effects while taking your prescribed dose, it doesn’t mean you’ve overdosed.
However, be sure to tell your doctor about any side effects you’re experiencing. Depending on their severity, your doctor may want to reduce your dosage or switch you to a different medication.
Mild symptoms of overdose
In mild cases, you may experience symptoms, such as:
- headaches
- confusion
- hyperactivity
- nausea
- vomiting
- stomach cramps
- rapid breathing
Severe symptoms of overdose
In severe cases, you may experience symptoms, such as:
- hallucinations
- panic
- aggressiveness
- fever
- tremors
- hypertension
- rhabdomyolysis, or the breakdown of muscles
- convulsions
Death may even occur.
Serotonin syndrome
People who overdose on a combination of Adderall and antidepressants may also experience serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is a serious drug reaction that occurs when too much of the chemical serotonin builds up in the body.
Serotonin syndrome can cause:
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- confusion
- anxiety
- irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia
- changes in blood pressure
- coma
Death may even occur.
If you suspect an Adderall overdose has occurred, seek medical care right away. Don’t wait until your symptoms get more severe.
In the United States, you can contact the National Poison Center at 800-222-1222 and await further instructions.
You can also call your local emergency services. Try to stay calm and keep your body cool while you wait for emergency personnel to arrive.
In the case of an overdose, emergency personnel will transport you to the hospital or emergency room.
They may give you activated charcoal while en route to help absorb the medication and alleviate your symptoms.
When you arrive at the hospital or emergency room, a doctor may pump your stomach to remove any remaining medication. If you’re agitated or hyperactive, they may administer benzodiazepines to sedate you.
If you’re displaying symptoms of serotonin syndrome, they may also administer medication to block serotonin. Intravenous (IV) fluids may also be necessary to replenish essential nutrients and prevent dehydration.
Once your symptoms have subsided and your body is stable, you may be required to stay in the hospital for observation.
Once the excess medication is out of your system, you’ll most likely make a full recovery.
Adderall and Adderall XR should only be taken under medical supervision. To avoid an accidental overdose, never take more than your prescribed dose. Don’t adjust it without your doctor’s approval.
Using Adderall without a prescription or mixing Adderall with other drugs can be extremely dangerous. You can never be sure how it may interact with your individual body chemistry or other medications or drugs you’re taking.
If you do choose to misuse Adderall without a prescription or mix it with other substances, keep a doctor informed. They can help you understand your individual risk of interaction and overdose. They can also watch for any changes to your overall health.
Can You Overdose on Adderall? Dosage, Symptoms, Treatment
It’s possible to overdose on Adderall, especially if you take it with other drugs or medications.
Adderall is the brand name for amphetamine/dextroamphetamine, a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant.
The medication is used to help treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. Many people also misuse Adderall to increase their productivity and memory, although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t approved this usage.
As a CNS stimulant, Adderall can have a wide range of effects on the body. It can also be extremely dangerous if it’s not taken under medical supervision. For this reason, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) considers Adderall a Schedule II controlled substance, which is a drug that can lead to severe dependence.
Children taking Adderall should be monitored very carefully to ensure that they’re taking the correct dose. An overdose can be fatal.
The prescribed amount typically ranges from 2.5 to 60 milligrams (mg) per day. This amount may be split between doses throughout the day.
Your dosage will depend on whether you take tablets (Adderall) or extended-release capsules (Adderall XR).
Adderall is FDA approved to treat ADHD and narcolepsy:
- For children with ADHD who are between 3 and 5 years old and taking Adderall, the prescribed amount may be 2.5 mg per day.
- For people with ADHD who are at least 6 years old, the starting dosage may be 5 mg or 10 mg per day.
- For children with narcolepsy who are between 6 and 12 years old, the starting dosage may be 5 mg per day.
- For people with narcolepsy who are at least 12 years old, the starting dosage may be 10 mg per day.
Adderall XR is only FDA approved to treat ADHD:
- People with ADHD who are between 6 and 17 years old and taking Adderall XR typically start with a dosage of 10 mg per day.
- Adults with ADHD may be prescribed a starting dosage of 20 mg per day.
Your doctor may gradually increase your dosage until you can manage your symptoms.
The amount of Adderall or Adderall XR that could potentially lead to an overdose varies widely from person to person. It depends on how much you’ve ingested and how sensitive you are to stimulants.
A lethal dose results in death. For adults, a lethal dose of amphetamine is reportedly between 20 mg to 25 mg per kilogram (kg) of body weight. For children, it’s 5 mg/kg.
For example, a lethal dose for an adult who weighs 70 kg (154 pounds) is between 1,400 mg and 1,750 mg. This is significantly more than the highest prescribed dose. However, a lethal dose has also been reported from as little as 1.5 mg/kg in an adult.
Never take more than your prescribed dose. If you feel as if your current dose is no longer working, talk with your doctor about your concerns. They can evaluate your current prescription and make adjustments as needed.
It’s possible to overdose on less than the lethal dose of Adderall or Adderall XR if you’re also taking other drugs or medications.
For instance, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) can increase the effects of these medications and increase your risk of overdose. MAOIs are a class of antidepressants.
Common MAOIs include:
- isocarboxazid (Marplan)
- phenelzine (Nardil)
- selegiline (Emsam, Zelapar)
Taking drugs that inhibit the CYP2D6 enzyme — even at a low dose — can also increase your risk of negative side effects. CYP2D6 inhibitors are used to address a range of conditions.
Common CYP2D6 inhibitors include:
- bupropion (Aplenzin, Forfivo XL, Wellbutrin SR, Wellbutrin XL)
- cinacalcet (Sensipar)
- fluoxetine (Prozac)
- paroxetine (Paxil, Paxil CR, Pexeva)
- quinidine
- terbinafine
Always talk with a doctor about any medications you’re taking. This includes over-the-counter (OTC) medications, vitamins, and other nutritional supplements.
These discussions will help the doctor choose the right medication and dosage to reduce your risk of drug interaction.
Overdosing on Adderall, Adderall XR, or other amphetamines can cause mild to severe symptoms. In some cases, death is possible.
Your individual symptoms will depend on:
- how much Adderall or Adderall XR you took
- your body chemistry and how sensitive you are to stimulants
- whether you took the medication in conjunction with other drugs or medications
Common side effects
As with most medications, Adderall and Adderall XR can cause mild side effects, even at a low dose.
Common side effects of Adderall, Adderall XR, or both include:
- loss of appetite
- headaches
- dizziness
- nervousness
- insomnia
- stomachache
- weight loss
- diarrhea
- dry mouth
These side effects usually aren’t serious. If you experience these side effects while taking your prescribed dose, it doesn’t mean you’ve overdosed.
However, be sure to tell your doctor about any side effects you’re experiencing. Depending on their severity, your doctor may want to reduce your dosage or switch you to a different medication.
Mild symptoms of overdose
In mild cases, you may experience symptoms, such as:
- headaches
- confusion
- hyperactivity
- nausea
- vomiting
- stomach cramps
- rapid breathing
Severe symptoms of overdose
In severe cases, you may experience symptoms, such as:
- hallucinations
- panic
- aggressiveness
- fever
- tremors
- hypertension
- rhabdomyolysis, or the breakdown of muscles
- convulsions
Death may even occur.
Serotonin syndrome
People who overdose on a combination of Adderall and antidepressants may also experience serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is a serious drug reaction that occurs when too much of the chemical serotonin builds up in the body.
Serotonin syndrome can cause:
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- confusion
- anxiety
- irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia
- changes in blood pressure
- coma
Death may even occur.
If you suspect an Adderall overdose has occurred, seek medical care right away. Don’t wait until your symptoms get more severe.
In the United States, you can contact the National Poison Center at 800-222-1222 and await further instructions.
You can also call your local emergency services. Try to stay calm and keep your body cool while you wait for emergency personnel to arrive.
In the case of an overdose, emergency personnel will transport you to the hospital or emergency room.
They may give you activated charcoal while en route to help absorb the medication and alleviate your symptoms.
When you arrive at the hospital or emergency room, a doctor may pump your stomach to remove any remaining medication. If you’re agitated or hyperactive, they may administer benzodiazepines to sedate you.
If you’re displaying symptoms of serotonin syndrome, they may also administer medication to block serotonin. Intravenous (IV) fluids may also be necessary to replenish essential nutrients and prevent dehydration.
Once your symptoms have subsided and your body is stable, you may be required to stay in the hospital for observation.
Once the excess medication is out of your system, you’ll most likely make a full recovery.
Adderall and Adderall XR should only be taken under medical supervision. To avoid an accidental overdose, never take more than your prescribed dose. Don’t adjust it without your doctor’s approval.
Using Adderall without a prescription or mixing Adderall with other drugs can be extremely dangerous. You can never be sure how it may interact with your individual body chemistry or other medications or drugs you’re taking.
If you do choose to misuse Adderall without a prescription or mix it with other substances, keep a doctor informed. They can help you understand your individual risk of interaction and overdose. They can also watch for any changes to your overall health.
Why the drug modafinil is becoming more and more popular among office workers in the West - Future on vc.
ruAll available information about the drug that is gaining popularity in the West and banned in Russia.
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Still from the film "Regions of Darkness" Relativity Media
The vc.ru observer has collected all available information about the drug, which is gaining popularity in the West and is banned in Russia, modafinil, which is used to improve performance by military, police and office workers. The material describes the principle of the drug, provides research and opinions of experts on its effectiveness and side effects.
600 milligrams is how much modafinil it took US Air Force pilots to go 40 hours without sleep. At the same time, the speed of their reaction and accuracy remained almost at the same level.
In Maryland, the drug is used by police on long missions to improve concentration, and the Journal of the Canadian Medical Society states that astronauts on the ISS have modafinil in their first aid kit "to optimize performance during fatigue. "
Modafinil is a drug from the class of analeptics. The task of drugs of this class is to influence the centers of the medulla oblongata in order to stimulate the vital functions of respiration and blood circulation. In other words, modafinil invigorates.
Modafinil, as well as Adderall and Ritalin, are most often prescribed for patients with attention deficit disorder and narcolepsy. But in the case of modafinil, it is often used as a cognitive enhancer.
Almost like an allergy
Modafinil increases histamine levels and affects the neurotransmitter system of the brain, improving concentration. A similar effect should be familiar to those who suffer from allergies. In such cases, antihistamines are prescribed, which act exactly the opposite - they lower the level of histamine in the body. For the same reason, allergy sufferers are strictly prohibited from drinking modafinil.
Scientists at the University of Oxford collected all the studies of modafinil and based on them conducted a meta-analysis of its effects. Of the 267 studies, 92 were weeded out because they were tested on animals. Then another 151 due to the fact that there was no test for the placebo effect. Of the 24 remaining studies, 24 gave the same results: the subjects performed better on tests related to the flexibility of thinking, working with information and concentration.
Meta-analysis methodology
One of the researchers, Anna-Katharine Brem, told The Atlantic that another effect was noticed:
The longer and more difficult the task, the better the test subjects who took modafinil showed better results.
Drug or not
The drug is often used by American students during the sessions, as well as by people who want to increase their productivity. In the United States, modafinil is sold in pharmacies, but in Russia it cannot be bought in this way - the drug has not been registered by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation and is illegal.
Scientists and doctors agree that the drug has practically no side effects. University of California psychiatrist James McGough says the effects of overdosing on modafinil are the same as overdosing on coffee—nervousness and stomach pain. According to him, the drug is not addictive. However, he explains:
If you stop taking modafinil, there will be no painful side effects. But having experienced its influence and the absence of side effects, many do not see the point in giving up the drug.
It is impossible to find statistics on those who take the drug for obvious reasons - it is not common for people to admit to taking doping. Even if it's harmless. In 2011, the BBC conducted an anonymous survey asking readers if they were taking cognitive enhancers, specifically modafinil. 38% of the respondents answered "Yes". Of these, 40% said they bought the drug online, and 92% said they would try it again. In total, about a thousand people took part in the survey. Reviews of the drug ranged from neutral to admiring:
I wrote a 22-page paper in one day. I reviewed it a couple of days later and passed it, getting an A (highest grade - ed. note). In a normal situation, I would be able to give birth only to a draft, and then in a week.
The drug did not help at all. But for fifteen hours I could not sit still and felt alarmed and agitated at the same time.
Some scientists still advise against taking modafinil. The reason is simple: if you do not feel enough energy or vigor in yourself, then why increase their level due to drugs? Modafinil can be compared to taking painkillers - if you have a headache for a week, you will not take pills, but will try to find out the cause of the disease.
Cambridge University professor Barbara Sahakian is more tolerant of the drug. Her team began studying its effects on patients with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, and then conducted several tests on healthy people.
Their study proved that surgeons who were sleep deprived for long periods of time performed better when taking modafinil. Professor Sahakyan recommends the use of the drug for those whose work is stressful or causes stress at a particular moment.
I think we underestimate drugs like modafinil. A study by the Academy of Medical Sciences showed that even a slight improvement in memory by 10% will dramatically increase the ability to consume new information. As a society, we can probably move forward if everyone has access to safe cognitive enhancers.
The representative of the Russian medical holding "Atlas" is more wary.
I will speak from the perspective of a neurosurgeon.
Every drug has indications for use. Non-indicated use (as well as the use of the drug in doses exceeding the recommended ones) is an inappropriate risk in playing with one's own health.
In the 24 studies described, not enough time has elapsed to evaluate the long-term results (to the question of safety).
All stimulants deplete the nervous system, plus their effect varies greatly depending on the type of nervous system and the presence of concomitant diseases.
Conclusion: if you really need it, you can do it once. And on an ongoing basis, we need to look for "legal" energy (I write in quotation marks, because I mean everything that does not "hack" our own "bank" of dopamine and serotonin in the brain) - sex, sports, creativity and so on.
Pavel Likhachev, Sales Director of the Atlas Medical Center, neurosurgeon by education
The price of happiness
Writer and columnist M. J. Hyland described her experiences with the drug in an article in The Guardian. According to her, in the first weeks of use, she felt "happy and constantly in a good mood." However, she attributed this not so much to modafinil as to the placebo effect.
The effect of euphoria stopped after a month, but the concentration and the ability to work without stopping remained. Hyland took 400 milligrams of the drug daily without any effects and believes that he did not make her smarter. But made it more efficient.
In the column, Hyland mentioned that she had been taking the drug for half a year, as it proved to be effective against the symptoms of multiple sclerosis, which she suffers from. The improvement in cognitive skills she calls only a pleasant bonus.
A daily dosage of 400 milligrams is too much. According to Drugs.com, do not exceed the limit of one dose per day. Depending on the manufacturer, one dose equals from 80 to 200 milligrams of the active substance.
Buying modafinil in the US is not a problem. There is even a ModafinilCat website that specializes in selling modafinil in different forms and from different manufacturers. The cost of a daily dose ranges from $1 when buying a drug for a year to $2 when buying a monthly amount. Here you can pay with bitcoins, while receiving a 20% discount.
In Russia, the drug is worth looking for in online stores. Most often, it can be found in sports nutrition stores, where modafinil is positioned as an energy drink. The cost of the drug is almost the same as in the US.
Scientists agree that the drug will become more and more popular. Psychiatrist James McGaugh even suggests that employers will give preference to employees who take cognitive enhancers, thereby showing how important the job is to them. Any leader will want to get a kind of "Hulk" - an employee who can work 16 hours and still not slow down.
Nootropics: pharmacological group
Description
Nootropics (Greek noos - thinking, mind; tropos - direction) - means that have a specific positive effect on the higher integrative functions of the brain. They improve mental activity, stimulate cognitive functions, learning and memory, increase the resistance of the brain to various damaging factors, incl. to extreme loads and hypoxia. In addition, nootropics have the ability to reduce neurological deficits and improve corticosubcortical connections.
The concept of nootropics originated in 1963, when the Belgian pharmacologists S. Giurgea and V. Skondia synthesized and applied in the clinic the first drug of this group - piracetam. Subsequent studies have shown that piracetam facilitates learning processes and improves memory. Like psychostimulants, the drug increased mental performance, but did not have the side effects inherent in them. In 1972, K. Giurgea proposed the term "nootropics" to refer to a class of drugs that positively affect the higher integrative functions of the brain.
There is a group of “true” nootropic drugs, for which the ability to improve memory functions is the main, and sometimes the only effect, and a group of mixed-action nootropic drugs (“neuroprotectors”), in which the memory effect is supplemented, and often overlapped by others, not less significant manifestations of action. A number of substances belonging to the group of nootropics have a fairly wide range of pharmacological activity, including antihypoxic, anxiolytic, sedative, anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant and other effects.
The nootropic effect of the drug can be either primary (direct effect on the nerve cell) or secondary, due to improved cerebral blood flow and microcirculation, antiplatelet and antihypoxic effects.
There are a number of synonyms for this group of substances: neurodynamic, neuroregulatory, neuroanabolic or eutotrophic agents, neurometabolic cerebroprotectors, neurometabolic stimulants. These terms reflect the general property of drugs - the ability to stimulate metabolic processes in the nervous tissue, especially in various disorders (anoxia, ischemia, intoxication, trauma, etc.), returning them to a normal level.
After the successful introduction of piracetam into medical practice, more than 10 original pyrrolidine nootropic drugs have been synthesized, currently in phase III clinical trials or already registered in several countries: oxiracetam, aniracetam, etiracetam, pramiracetam, dupracetam, rolziracetam, cebracetam, nefiracetam , isacetam, detiracetam, etc. These nootropic drugs, based on their chemical structure, are called "racetams". Following them, other groups of nootropic drugs began to form, including cholinergic, GABAergic, glutamatergic, peptidergic; in addition, nootropic activity has been identified in some previously known substances.
Existing nootropics can be classified as follows:
1. Pyrrolidine (racetam) derivatives: piracetam, etiracetam, aniracetam, oxiracetam, pramiracetam, dupracetam, rolziracetam, etc. , meclofenoxate.
3. Pyridoxine derivatives: pyritinol, Biotredin.
4. GABA derivatives and analogs: gamma-aminobutyric acid (Aminalon), nicotinoyl-GABA (Pikamilon), gamma-amino-beta-phenylbutyric acid hydrochloride (Fenibut), hopantenic acid, pantogam, calcium gamma-hydroxybutyrate.
5. Cerebrovascular agents: ginkgo biloba.
6. Neuropeptides and their analogues: Semax.
7. Amino acids and substances that affect the system of excitatory amino acids: glycine, Biotredin.
8. 2-mercantobenzimidazole derivatives: ethylthiobenzimidazole hydrobromide (Bemitil).
9. Vitamin-like agents: idebenone.
10. Polypeptides and organic composites: Cortexin, Cerebrolysin, Cerebramin.
11. Substances of other pharmacological groups with a nootropic action component:
- correctors of cerebral circulation disorders: nicergoline, vinpocetine, xanthinol nicotinate, vincamine, naftidrofuryl, cinnarizine;
- general tonic and adaptogens: acetylaminosuccinic acid, ginseng extract, melatonin, lecithin.
- Psychostimulants: salbutiamine;
- antihypoxants and antioxidants: ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate (Mexidol).
Signs of nootropic activity are present in the pharmacodynamics of glutamic acid, memantine and levocarnitine.
In addition, the experiment showed the nootropic effect of a number of neuropeptides and their synthetic analogues (ACTH and its fragments, somatostatin, vasopressin, oxytocin, thyroliberin, melanostatin, cholecystokinin, neuropeptide Y, substance P, angiotensin II, cholecystokinin-8, piracetam peptide analogues and etc. ).
Currently, the main mechanisms of action of nootropic drugs are considered to be the influence on metabolic and bioenergetic processes in the nerve cell and interaction with the neurotransmitter systems of the brain. Neurometabolic stimulants improve penetration through the BBB and utilization of glucose (especially in the cerebral cortex, subcortical ganglia, hypothalamus and cerebellum), improve the exchange of nucleic acids, activate the synthesis of ATP, protein and RNA. The effect of a number of nootropic drugs is mediated through the neurotransmitter systems of the brain, among which the most important are: monoaminergic (piracetam causes an increase in the content of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, some other nootropics - serotonin), cholinergic (piracetam and meclofenoxate increase the content of acetylcholine in synaptic endings and the density of cholinergic receptors, choline alfoscerate, pyridoxine and pyrrolidine derivatives improve cholinergic transmission to the CNS), glutamatergic (memantine and glycine act through the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subtype).
Clinical and animal studies have also identified a number of additional mechanisms that contribute to the nootropic activity of neurometabolic stimulants. Nootropics have a membrane-stabilizing (regulation of the synthesis of phospholipids and proteins in nerve cells, stabilization and normalization of the structure of cell membranes), antioxidant (inhibition of the formation of free radicals and lipid peroxidation of cell membranes), antihypoxic (reducing the need for neurons in oxygen under hypoxic conditions) and neuroprotective action ( increasing the resistance of nerve cells to the effects of adverse factors of various origins). An important role is played by the improvement of microcirculation in the brain by optimizing the passage of erythrocytes through the vessels of the microvasculature and inhibition of platelet aggregation.
The result of the complex effect of nootropic drugs is an improvement in the bioelectrical activity and integrative activity of the brain, which is manifested by characteristic changes in electrophysiological patterns (facilitation of the passage of information between the hemispheres, an increase in the level of wakefulness, an increase in the absolute and relative power of the EEG spectrum of the cortex and hippocampus, an increase in the dominant peak). An increase in corticosubcortical control, an improvement in information exchange in the brain, a positive effect on the formation and reproduction of a memory trace lead to an improvement in memory, perception, attention, thinking, an increase in learning ability, and activation of intellectual functions. The ability to improve cognitive (cognitive) functions gave reason to designate nootropic drugs as “cognition stimulants”.
In the spectrum of pharmacological activity of nootropics (neurometabolic stimulants), the following main effects are distinguished:
1. Nootropic action (influence on impaired higher cortical functions, level of judgments and critical abilities, improvement of cortical control of subcortical activity, thinking, attention, speech).
2. Mnemotropic action (impact on memory, learning).
3. Increasing the level of wakefulness, clarity of consciousness (influence on the state of oppressed and clouded consciousness).
4. Adaptogenic effect (increasing the overall resistance of the organism to the action of extreme factors).
5. Anti-asthenic action (decrease in the severity of weakness, lethargy, exhaustion, mental and physical asthenia).
6. Psychostimulating effect (influence on apathy, hypobulia, spontaneity, poverty of motives, mental inertia, psychomotor retardation).
7. Antidepressant action.
8. Sedative/tranquilizing effect, reduction of irritability and emotional excitability.
In addition, nootropics affect the autonomic nervous system, contribute to the correction of disorders in parkinsonism and epilepsy.
Of the above pharmacodynamic properties, some are common to all nootropics, while others are unique to some of them.
The stimulating effect of nootropics on mental activity is not accompanied by speech and motor excitation, depletion of the body's functional capabilities, development of addiction and addiction. However, in some cases, they can cause anxiety and sleep disturbance. A positive feature of nootropics is their low toxicity, good compatibility with drugs of other pharmacological groups and the virtual absence of side effects and complications. It should be noted that the effects of this group develop gradually (usually after several weeks of use), which makes it necessary to prescribe them for a long time.
Initially, nootropics were used mainly in the treatment of brain dysfunction in elderly patients with organic brain syndrome. In recent years, they have become widely used in various fields of medicine, including geriatric, obstetric and pediatric practice, neurology, psychiatry and narcology.
Nootropic drugs are used for dementia of various origins (vascular, senile, Alzheimer's disease), chronic cerebrovascular insufficiency, psychoorganic syndrome, consequences of cerebrovascular accident, traumatic brain injury, intoxication, neuroinfection, intellectual-mnestic disorders (impaired memory, concentration of attention , thinking), asthenic, astheno-depressive and depressive syndrome, neurotic and neurosis-like disorder, vegetovascular dystonia, chronic alcoholism (encephalopathy, psychoorganic syndrome, abstinence), to improve mental performance. In children's practice, indications for the appointment of nootropics are delayed mental and speech development, mental retardation, the consequences of perinatal CNS damage, cerebral palsy, attention deficit disorder. In acute conditions in the neurological clinic (acute ischemic stroke, traumatic brain injury), the effectiveness of piracetam, choline alfoscerate, glycine, Cerebrolysin has been shown. Some nootropics are used to correct neuroleptic syndrome (deanol aceglumate, pyritinol, pantogam, hopantenic acid), stuttering (Fenibut, pantogam), hyperkinesis (Fenibut, hopantenic acid, memantine), urination disorders (nicotinoyl-GABA, pantogam), sleep disorders (glycine , Phenibut, calcium gamma-hydroxybutyrate), migraines (nicotinoyl-GABA, pyritinol, Semax), dizziness (piracetam, Phenibut, ginkgo biloba), for the prevention of motion sickness (Phenibut, GABA). In ophthalmology (as part of complex therapy), nicotinoyl-GABA is used (open-angle glaucoma, vascular diseases of the retina and macula), ginkgo biloba (senile macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy).