Oxiracetam, like piracetam and aniracetam, is a supplement belonging to racetam family. It is a brain development supplement that increases the clarity of thought, focus, concentration, and ability to store and recollect the information. It is a man-made nootropic that has gained the popularity because of its bioavailability, i.e., bodies can easily utilize it once ingested. Oxiracetam is convenient to take as it dissolves quickly in the water. Studies have revealed that oxiracetam has positively affected learning and memory of healthy animals and also of animals with cerebral dysfunction. It is also used to treat brain diseases and disorders.
Oxiracetam functions by activating the glutamate receptor in the brain; this receptor involves different aspects of cognitive functioning. Though the exact operation is still unclear, it has been presumed that racetam modulates the actions of two primary neurotransmitters, i.e., acetylcholine and glutamate.
Majority of people using Oxiracetam don't have a prescription for it; it means that the substance is used only as a cognitive supplement rather than a pharmaceutical drug. It may be the reason that the FDA(Food and Drug Administration) has not decided any exact dosage of the substance. However, medical practitioners have recommended a safe dosage schedule to avoid any unpleasant effects.
The general practice is to take between 600-2400mg per day; beginners should start with the lower end and gradually increase the dosage. As oxiracetam half-life is between 3-4 hours, it is better to take it after even intervals of time throughout the day. For instance, a person taking 2400mg can take three doses of 800mg each. The normal recommendation is to take one dose after waking, one after lunch and finally the last in the evening. Adhering to this practice ensures a steady development and cognitive enhancement. Oxiracetam is available in tablet(usually 750 mg each) and powder forms that make it convenient to divide the dosage. To avoid the stimulation in night, it is better to take the final dose 6-7 hours before sleeping.
Exceeding the dosage limits of the substance may bring repulsive effects, headache being the most widely reported. Users can take suitable form of choline supplement(citicoline or alpha GPC) while taking oxiracetam. Many people have reported that the headache does not occur by adding a form of choline in the stack.
Dizziness, nausea, and gastrointestinal distress are other frequent problems that crop up if users try to push the dosage limits. However, there may be users who still face these issues even after sticking to the safe and recommended dosage schedule. If this is the case, they should stop taking the drug for few days to allow the body system to come to normal.
In rare cases, users may feel nervousness and insomnia. However, these effects are usually mild and go away after body adjusts itself with the drug intake. It has been reported that users adding aniracetam to the stack reduces the problems of insomnia and sleep disturbances. Also, it works well with oxiracetam and the combination acts as an overall booster for cognitive development.
Succinctly put, Oxiracetam is a memory enhancer, and there are very mild side effects associated with it. However, users should follow normal dosage guidelines to avoid any inconvenience in the future.
References
Landon, J. (2014). How to Make People Smarter. Booktango.
Lidsky, T., & Schneider, J. (2010). Brain Candy. Simon and Schuster.
Nootriment. (2013). What is the Recommended Oxiracetam Dosge Schedule. Retrieved December 28, 2014, from nootriment.com: http://nootriment.com/oxiracetam-dosage/
SDFT. (2013). Oxiracetam: What is Oxiracetam. Retrieved December 30, 2014, from smartdrugsforthought.com: http://www.smartdrugsforthought.com/what-is-oxiracetam/
Stockley, I. H. (2002). Stockley's Drug Interactions. Pharmaceutical Press.
