Evidence supporting the use of: Oxiracetam
For the health condition: Dementia

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Oxiracetam is a synthetic nootropic compound in the racetam family, developed in the 1970s. It has been investigated as a potential cognitive enhancer, especially for dementia and other cognitive impairments. The scientific evidence supporting its use for dementia is limited and of low quality. Several small clinical trials, primarily conducted in Europe and Asia, have assessed oxiracetam in patients with Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, or multi-infarct dementia. Some studies reported modest improvements in cognitive function, memory, and daily living activities compared to placebo. However, these studies often suffered from methodological limitations, such as small sample sizes, short durations (typically 8–12 weeks), lack of replication, and variable diagnostic criteria.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses, including a Cochrane review (Flicker et al., 2002), have concluded that while there may be minor cognitive benefits, the clinical relevance is unclear and the evidence is insufficient to support routine use of oxiracetam for dementia. Regulatory agencies such as the FDA and EMA have not approved oxiracetam for dementia treatment, reflecting the lack of robust evidence. Despite this, oxiracetam continues to be studied and used off-label in some countries. In summary, the scientific validation is weak (rated 2/5), with insufficient evidence to recommend oxiracetam as an effective treatment for dementia.

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Products containing Oxiracetam

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