Phenylpiracetam
Phenotropil · Stimulating racetam
What it is
Piracetam with a phenyl group attached — a Russian modification that adds a distinctly stimulant edge. Notable for being banned by WADA, which is the strongest third-party endorsement any nootropic in this class has received.
What human evidence shows
Russian trials in stroke/asthenia report cognitive and physical benefit. In healthy users, the acute stimulant effect is real and noticeable (hence the WADA ban); rapid tolerance is near-universally reported, which caps it as an occasional tool rather than a daily driver. Western RCTs in healthy adults: none.
Risks
Stimulant-profile effects: sleep disruption, irritability, blood-pressure bump. Tolerance within days. Same unregulated-supply caveat as every Russian compound here. Athletes: it is a doping violation with a long detection window.
Legal status
US: unscheduled, grey-market sale. Prescription in Russia. WADA-banned in sport.
Evidence base
emerging literature
Early human evidence: at least one human trial report, and not much beyond it.
- phase 3/4
- 0
- randomised
- 1
- reviews
- 0
- human trials
- 4
Counts are of published papers, not distinct trials, and measure how much research exists — not whether this works or is safe for you.
Research (12)
- S-phenylpiracetam, a selective DAT inhibitor, reduces body weight gain without influencing locomotor activityPharmacol Biochem Behav · 2017
- Neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activity of DAT inhibitor R-phenylpiracetam in experimental models of inflammation in male miceInflammopharmacology · 2020
- Asymmetric Michael Addition in Synthesis of β-Substituted GABA DerivativesMolecules · 2022
- Piracetam and piracetam-like drugs: from basic science to novel clinical applications to CNS disordersDrugs · 2010
- [Pharmacological effects of fonturacetam (Actitropil) and prospects for its clinical use]Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova · 2024
- [Pharmacological characteristics of a new phenyl analog of piracetam--4-phenylpiracetam]Biull Eksp Biol Med · 1983
- Unauthorized ingredients in "nootropic" dietary supplements: A review of the history, pharmacology, prevalence, international regulations, and potential as doping agentsDrug Test Anal · 2023
- Five Unapproved Drugs Found in Cognitive Enhancement SupplementsNeurol Clin Pract · 2021
- [Molecularly imprinted sorbent for biological fluids sample preparation in forensic toxicology]Sud Med Ekspert · 2021
- A study of the mechanisms for antiaggregant activity of pyrrolidone derivatives in rats with chronic hyperglycemiaBull Exp Biol Med · 2014
- [Role of functional state of neuronal mitochondria of cerebral cortex in mechanisms of nootropic activity of neuroprotectors in rats with alloxan hyperglycemia]Eksp Klin Farmakol · 2015
- From Umpolung to Alternation: Modified Reactivity of Donor-Acceptor Cyclopropanes Towards Nucleophiles in Reaction with NitroalkanesChemistry · 2016
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