15 Best Nootropics

 
  Name
  Rating
  Nomination

The Best Nootropics for Kids

1 Cortexin 4.33
Best for first year kids
2 Semax 0.1% 4.31
The safest. Unique release form
3 Cerebrolysin 4.23
4 Nootropil 4.17
Best for Speech Stimulation

The Best Nootropics for the Elderly

1 Picamilon 4.48
Affordable cost and efficiency
2 Phenibut 4.22
Combines the action of a nootropic and a tranquilizer
3 encephabol 4.21
Suspension and tablets
4 Cavinton 4.18

The Best Nootropics to Improve Brain Function

partner placement prospectus 4.60
Helps recover from covid
1 Intellan 4.57
Preparation based on a plant complex
2 Pantogam 4.21
Best for Chronic Fatigue
3 Piracetam 4.05
The best ratio of price and quality
4 cogitum 3.89

Best nootropic drugs without a prescription

1 Glycine 4.24
The most popular
2 Noopept 4.19
Best OTC
3 Biotredin 4.13

Nootropic drugs are an extensive list of drugs whose action is aimed at stimulating brain activity by activating metabolic processes and blood supply to the central nervous system. These medicines can be used at different ages, including those used in infants and the elderly. As a result of their intake, memory improvement is noted, the ability to learn increases, and recovery after a stroke and traumatic brain injury occurs faster. We have prepared a rating of the best nootropic drugs, including those sold without a prescription, taking into account the reviews of ordinary people, expert opinions and popularity of drugs when compiling it.

There are contraindications! Consult your doctor!

The Best Nootropics for Kids

Nootropics are prescribed for children with developmental delays, including speech, neurological disorders, problems with memory and concentration. Also, these funds will help facilitate learning, improve academic performance.

Top 4. Nootropil

Rating (2022): 4.17
Accounted for 166 reviews from resources: Yandex.Market, Оtabletkah, Otzovik, Protabletky, Vrachi.rf
Best for Speech Stimulation

Many doctors call Nootropil one of the best means to stimulate the development of speech in children. The effectiveness of the drug is also confirmed by the reviews of parents whose children were prescribed this medicine.

  • Average price: 300 rubles. (125 ml)
  • Manufacturer: UCB Pharma, S.A. (Belgium)
  • Active ingredient: piracetam
  • Dispensed from pharmacies: prescription
  • Dosage: assigned individually
  • Side effects: irritability, drowsiness, nausea, urticaria

Nootropil is a nootropic drug that improves memory, increases concentration and enhances mental activity. The drug stabilizes the metabolic processes in nerve cells, has a beneficial effect on the central nervous system by increasing the speed of propagation of neural impulses in the brain. The drug is excellent for eliminating the consequences of ischemic stroke in the elderly, and helps children with cerebral palsy, mental retardation and developmental delays, including speech. It can be effectively used for the rehabilitation of patients who have suffered a traumatic brain injury or toxic poisoning of the brain, and can be used to improve the learning ability of schoolchildren.

Pros and cons
  • Available in tablets and oral solution
  • Helps children with cerebral palsy, mental retardation and developmental delays
  • Improves memory and concentration
  • Stimulates the development of speech
  • The solution is hard to find commercially
  • Best not to take in the afternoon

Top 3. Cerebrolysin

Rating (2022): 4.23
Accounted for 395 reviews from resources: Eapteka, Оtabletkah, Otzovik, Protabletky, Vrachi.rf
  • Average price: 1020 rubles. (5 ampoules of 5 ml)
  • Manufacturer: Ever Neuro Pharma (Austria)
  • Active ingredient: Cerebrolysin concentrate (complex of peptides obtained from pig brain)
  • Dispensed from pharmacies: prescription
  • Dosage: 0.1-0.2 ml/kg once a day
  • Side effects: allergies, insomnia, arrhythmia

Cerebrolysin is a unique nootropic agent in which a complex of peptides obtained from the brain of pigs is presented as an active substance. The drug is actively used in pediatric practice, having a beneficial effect on brain tissue, activating metabolism in their cells. For children, this medicine is prescribed for delayed speech development, problems with concentration, and the presence of hyperactivity. A little inconvenient, then Cerebrolysin is available only as a solution for injection, but with this use it is much better absorbed by the body. The drug is not cheap, but in terms of efficiency and safety is one of the best.

Pros and cons
  • The complex of neuropeptides in the composition
  • Helps children with developmental delays, hyperactivity, lack of attention
  • High price
  • Only injections

Top 2. Semax 0.1%

Rating (2022): 4.31
Accounted for 268 reviews from resources: Yandex.Market, Eapteka, Оtabletkah, Otzovik, Protabletky, Vrachi.rf
The safest

Most nootropics have extensive lists of side effects, including quite serious ones, and only Semax has practically no side effects, except for possible irritation of the mucous membrane.

Unique release form

Semax is the only nootropic drug on the market that is produced in the form of drops for nasal use. This form of release is convenient, allows the active components to start working as quickly as possible.

  • Average price: 380 rubles. (3 ml)
  • Producer: Peptogen (Russia)
  • Active ingredient: methionyl-glutamyl-histidyl-phenylalanyl-prolyl-glycyl-proline
  • Dispensed from pharmacies: prescription
  • Dosage: 2 drops 3 times a day
  • Side effects: irritation of the nasal mucosa

Semax 0.1% is a unique peptide drug whose hormonal activity is zero. It has a positive effect on the processes of perception of the surrounding world, improves learning and attentiveness. Promotes rapid adaptation of the central nervous system to the effects of anesthesia, is used to treat people who have had an ischemic stroke, as well as for rehabilitation after traumatic brain injuries and heavy anesthesia. It has long been used in pediatrics to treat brain dysfunctions in children over five years of age. The release form in the format of nasal drops makes it easy and comfortable to take.

Pros and cons
  • High security
  • Form of release, unique for the drug of this category
  • Helps schoolchildren and students to study better
  • Relieves hyperactivity, improves concentration
  • Must be stored in the refrigerator

Top 1. Cortexin

Rating (2022): 4.33
Accounted for 622 feedback from resources: Yandex.Market, Eapteka, Оtabletkah, Otzovik, Protabletky, Vrachi.rf
Best for first year kids

Cortexin can be used to treat children from birth. The drug is sufficiently safe, it receives a lot of positive feedback from doctors who are convinced in practice of its effectiveness.

  • Average price: 1330 rubles. (10 ampoules of 10 mg)
  • Manufacturer: Geropharm (Russia)
  • Active ingredient: polypeptides of the cerebral cortex of cattle
  • Dispensed from pharmacies: prescription
  • Dosage: children weighing up to 20 kg - 0.5 mg / kg, children weighing more than 20 kg and adults - 10 mg 1 time per day
  • Side effects: individual hypersensitivity

Cortexin has a positive effect on the central and peripheral nervous systems. The drug well improves memory, attentiveness and learning, counteracts the influence of stressful situations on the nervous system, reduces the effects of toxic substances on brain cells. This nootropic is used to eliminate the consequences of traumatic brain injury, circulatory disorders and epilepsy. The drug has gained great popularity among parents of children with delayed psychomotor and speech development. It is allowed to use it in babies of the first year of life. Also, the medicine is widely known among students, during the examination period, with a deterioration in learning and attentiveness.

Pros and cons
  • Unique in composition and characteristics of the drug
  • Security at the highest level
  • Allowed for children of the first year of life
  • Good reviews from doctors and parents of children
  • Requires a prescription to buy
  • High price
  • Release form - lyophysilate

The Best Nootropics for the Elderly

In old age, nootropic drugs are taken both for preventive purposes and for treatment. They help to minimize age-related changes caused by impaired cerebral circulation, improve memory, relieve anxiety. Also, nootropics can help in recovery after a stroke.

Top 4. Cavinton

Rating (2022): 4.18
Accounted for 195 reviews from resources: Yandex.Market, Eapteka, Оtabletkah, Otzovik, Protabletky, Vrachi.rf
  • Average price: 110 rubles. (50 tab. 5 mg each)
  • Producer: Gedeon Richter - RUS (Russia)
  • Active ingredient: Vinpocetine
  • Dispensed from pharmacies: prescription
  • Dosage: 1-2 tab. 3 times a day
  • Side effects: tachycardia, headache, weakness, nausea, heartburn

Cavinton has a positive effect on cerebral circulation, reduces blood viscosity and promotes the passage of oxygen through the tissues of the central nervous system. In this case, the drug does not affect the total blood pressure of a person and his pulse rate. The peculiarity of this tool is that it selectively acts on the damaged area of ​​​​the central nervous system. The ability to point action, called "reverse steal", makes Cavinton one of the best drugs for the treatment of the effects of stroke, vascular dementia and cerebrovascular accidents. It is also used to treat the choroid and retina of the eye, and even to treat Meniere's disease.

Pros and cons
  • A well-known nootropic
  • Vinpocetine Original
  • low price
  • Helps with chronic disorders of cerebral circulation
  • Thins the blood to prevent blood clots
  • Lots of side effects
  • Contraindicated in cardiac arrhythmias

Top 3. encephabol

Rating (2022): 4.21
Accounted for 214 reviews from resources: Yandex.Market, Eapteka, Оtabletkah, Otzovik, Protabletky, Vrachi.rf
Suspension and tablets

Encephabol is available both in tablet form and as a suspension, which is sometimes more convenient for older people, especially during the recovery period after strokes.

  • Average price: 940 rubles. (50 tab. 100 mg)
  • Manufacturer: Merck KGaA (Austria)
  • Active ingredient: pyritinol
  • Dispensed from pharmacies: prescription
  • Dosage: 2 tsp. suspensions or 2 tab. 3 times a day
  • Side effects: nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, allergic reaction, shortness of breath, headache

Encephabol accelerates metabolism in the brain, increasing the rate of glucose utilization. Stabilizes blood circulation in ischemic areas of the brain. The drug restores impaired metabolic functions in the nervous tissue, which has a beneficial effect on improving memory, attentiveness and the general tone of the central nervous system. Encephabol shows good results in the treatment of systematic mental decline. The tool helps to get rid of the effects of encephalitis, and is also used in pediatrics in the treatment of cerebroasthenic syndrome and mental retardation in children. The medicine can cause allergic reactions in people who are highly sensitive to pyritinol.

Pros and cons
  • Available in suspension and tablets
  • Improves metabolism in brain cells
  • Helps restore and improve memory
  • High price
  • Many side effects

Top 2. Phenibut

Rating (2022): 4.22
Accounted for 1038 reviews from resources: Yandex.Market, Eapteka, Оtabletkah, Otzovik, Protabletky, Vrachi.rf
Combines the action of a nootropic and a tranquilizer

Phenibut is one of the few drugs that combines the action of a nootropic and a tranquilizer, which makes it more versatile and in demand.

  • Average price: 480 rubles. (20 tab. 250 mg)
  • Producer: Olainfarm (Latvia)
  • Active ingredient: aminophenylbutyric acid
  • Dispensed from pharmacies: prescription
  • Dosage: assigned individually
  • Side effects: irritability, agitation, headache, nausea, skin rash

Phenibut is a prescription nootropic drug that has a strong anxiolytic effect, reducing excitability, anxiety and fear. It combines the action of a nootropic and a tranquilizer, which makes its application more versatile. The drug prolongs and enhances the effect of the use of sleeping pills. With a course application, it positively affects the physical and intellectual activity of a person, improves memory, and restores healthy sleep. It is prescribed for elderly people suffering from insomnia and night anxiety. Also, this remedy is often used as part of complex therapy for those suffering from alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

Pros and cons
  • Combines the functions of a nootropic and tranquilizer
  • Improves blood supply to the brain
  • Acts softly, but pronouncedly
  • Offered by several manufacturers
  • Possible withdrawal syndrome after the end of treatment

Top 1. Picamilon

Rating (2022): 4.48
Accounted for 290 reviews from resources: Yandex.Market, Eapteka, Otabletkah, Otzovik, Protabletky
Affordable cost and efficiency

Picamilon is a popular nootropic that has a relatively low cost, but works just as well as more expensive counterparts. Efficiency is confirmed by high ratings in the reviews of doctors and patients.

  • Average price: 105 rubles. (30 tab. 50 mg)
  • Manufacturer: Pharmstandard (Russia)
  • Active ingredient: nicotinoyl gamma-aminobutyric acid
  • Dispensed from pharmacies: prescription
  • Dosage: 1 tab. 3 times a day
  • Side effects: anxiety, dizziness, allergies, nausea

Picamilon refers to nootropic drugs that have a tranquilizing, psychostimulating and antioxidant effect.It has a positive effect on brain function by improving tissue metabolism and affecting cerebral circulation. The course of taking the drug increases physical and intellectual activity, reduces pain in the head, improves memory, helps to reduce feelings of anxiety and tension. Improves blood circulation in the vessels of the retina and optic nerve. Helps patients with minor motor and speech disorders, reduces the negative impact of toxins on the central nervous system. Picamilon is used as part of complex therapy to prevent migraine in the elderly, with cerebrovascular accidents.

Pros and cons
  • Combines the action of a nootropic and a tranquilizer
  • Acceptable cost
  • Improving the nutrition of the brain, as well as the optic nerve and retina
  • May cause allergies

The Best Nootropics to Improve Brain Function

Improve brain function, activate memory and increase concentration - all these tasks are within the power of nootropic drugs. They are prescribed for increased mental stress, work with large amounts of information, chronic fatigue.

Top 4. cogitum

Rating (2022): 3.89
Accounted for 217 reviews from resources: Yandex.Market, Оtabletkah, Otzovik, Protabletky
  • Average price: 3610 rubles. (30 ampoules of 10 ml)
  • Manufacturer: Patheon France (France)
  • Active ingredient: acetylaminosuccinic acid
  • Dispensed from pharmacies: prescription
  • Dosage: 1 ampoule 2-3 times a day
  • Side effects: allergic reaction

Cogitum has a beneficial effect on metabolic processes in nervous tissues and has a stimulating effect, increases physical activity and immunity.The drug is able to accelerate the removal of ammonia from the body in case of intoxication with this substance, and slightly reduce the radioactive impact. It is often used as part of the complex therapy of asthenic syndrome, as well as for depressive and neurotic conditions of mild severity. Cogitum increases the overall endurance of the central nervous system. The drug is available as a solution for oral administration, packaged in individual ampoules. It has a sweet taste which makes it easy to use.

Pros and cons
  • Stimulates brain activity
  • Allowed for children with developmental delay
  • Ampoules for oral administration
  • sweet taste
  • High price
  • Multiple packs are required per course.

Top 3. Piracetam

Rating (2022): 4.05
Accounted for 334 feedback from resources: Yandex.Market, Eapteka, Оtabletkah, Otzovik, Protabletky, Vrachi.rf
The best ratio of price and quality

Piracetam is a long-standing and well-known drug that is relatively inexpensive, but is trusted by doctors and their patients.

  • Average price: 170 rubles. (60 tab. 400 mg)
  • Producer: Ozone (Russia)
  • Active ingredient: piracetam
  • Dispensed from pharmacies: prescription
  • Dosage: 30-160 mg per 1 kg of weight per day in 2-4 doses
  • Side effects: abdominal pain, restlessness, agitation, headache, tremor

Piracetam is recognized as one of the best modern nootropic drugs. It is used to speed up metabolic processes and the propagation of impulses in the cerebral cortex, has a beneficial effect on intellectual abilities and memory development, significantly increases the brain's resistance to poisoning by toxins, and accelerates the processing of glucose. Helps to improve the interaction between the hemispheres of the brain, improves cerebral blood flow without creating a vasodilating effect.Piracetam is recommended for memory loss, dizziness, decreased alertness and learning disabilities in children, adults and the elderly.

Pros and cons
  • Average price range
  • There are tablets, capsules, injectable form of release
  • Improves blood supply to the brain
  • Helps with alcohol addiction
  • Many side effects and contraindications
  • Some doctors do not believe in the effectiveness of the remedy

Top 2. Pantogam

Rating (2022): 4.21
Accounted for 370 reviews from resources: Yandex.Market, Eapteka, Оtabletkah, Otzovik, Protabletky, Vrachi.rf
Best for Chronic Fatigue

Pantogam has many indications for use, but is most often prescribed for adult patients with complaints of chronic fatigue, helping to increase mental and physical performance.

  • Average price: 440 rubles. (50 tab. 250 mg)
  • Manufacturer: Pik-Pharma (Russia)
  • Active ingredient: hopantenic acid
  • Dispensed from pharmacies: prescription
  • Dosage: 0.5-1.0 g 3 times a day
  • Side effects: allergic rhinitis and urticaria

Pantogam significantly increases the resistance of the brain to hypoxia and the effects of toxic substances on the central nervous system, stimulates anabolic processes in neurons. Reduces excitability and positively affects the social behavior of a person. Effectively affects intellectual activity and activity. The drug is widely used in medicine: to neutralize the effects of psycho-emotional overload, with neurotic disorders caused by traumatic brain injuries, with a decrease in intellectual and physical activity, loss of concentration and attention.

Pros and cons
  • High security
  • Minimum side effects
  • Effective for chronic fatigue
  • Helps improve memory and attention
  • It will take 1-4 months to get a lasting result.
  • Unpleasant bitter taste

Top 1. Intellan

Rating (2022): 4.57
Accounted for 49 reviews from resources: Yandex.Market, Eapteka, Otzovik,
Preparation based on a plant complex

Intellan contains a complex of several plant components that improve cerebral circulation, enhance memory and concentration.

  • Average price: 220 rubles. (20 cap.)
  • Manufacturer: Herbion (Pakistan)
  • Active ingredient: extracts of ginkgo biloba leaves, centella asiatica herb, herpes monnierra herb, coriander seed fruit, amomum subulate, officinalis emblica
  • Dispensed from pharmacies: prescription
  • Dosage: 1 cap. 2 times a day
  • Side effects: allergies, sleep disturbances

Intellan is a herbal preparation containing bioactive amino acids, vitamins and other important microelements. It has a positive effect on memory, mental activity, fights anxiety and depression. According to experts, Intellan does not affect a person's ability to perform, which makes it one of the best nootropics for car owners. The remedy is used for reducing mental activity, neurotic syndromes associated with mental illness, memory impairment and absent-mindedness, as well as for depression and anxiety.

Pros and cons
  • Extracts of plants and fruits in the composition
  • Adequate cost
  • There are not only capsules for adults, but also syrup for children.
  • Must be taken for at least 4 weeks
  • Coursework will require the purchase of several packs

prospectus

Rating (2022): 4.60
Accounted for 21 feedback from resources: Med-Otzyv
Helps recover from covid

This drug improves memory and reduces fatigue, making it easier to return to normal life and join the work rhythm after covid.

  • Average price: 650 rubles. (100 tab.)
  • Producer: MATERIA MEDICA (Russia)
  • Active ingredient: antibodies to brain-specific protein
  • S-100 affinity purified, modified
  • Dispensed from pharmacies: prescription
  • Dosage: 2 tab. 2 times a day
  • Side effects: allergies, drowsiness

Prospect's nootropic drug has a normalizing effect due to the affinity-purified antibodies to the brain-specific protein S-100 and modified ones - 10,000 IU*. In practice, this improves memory and reduces fatigue, helps restore brain function. Judging by the reviews, physical and emotional stress when taking the drug is easier to bear. An important advantage of Prospects is that these pills help you quickly return to your usual way of life after covid, when it’s hard to switch and join the work rhythm. Of the minuses, the possibility of an allergic reaction can be noted, but side effects are rare.

Pros and cons
  • Improves memory
  • Reduces fatigue
  • Helps to quickly return to normal life after covid
  • Possible allergic reaction

Best nootropic drugs without a prescription

The vast majority of nootropic drugs are dispensed from pharmacies only with a prescription and doctor's prescription. But there are a number of medicines that are available for free sale to everyone.

Top 3. Biotredin

Rating (2022): 4.13
Accounted for 108 reviews from resources: Yandex.Market, Оtabletkah, Otzovik, Protabletky, Vrachi.rf
  • Average price: 115 rubles. (30 tab.)
  • Manufacturer: MNPK Biotiki (Russia)
  • Active ingredient: pyridoxine + threonine
  • Dosage: 1-2 tab. 2-3 times a day
  • Side effects: dizziness, sweating, allergies

Biotredin is an effective agent used for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal. The drug reduces a person's desire to drink alcohol. The tool reduces psycho-emotional arousal, improves memory and has a positive effect on intellectual performance. From the reviews on the Internet, you can understand that the drug is also used to stimulate intellectual activity in children, adolescents and adults. The drug is inexpensive, sour-tasting tablets for use are placed under the tongue. The manufacturer recommends combining the use of Biotredin with Glycine for best results.

Pros and cons
  • Affordable price
  • Convenient form of reception - under the tongue
  • Helps to stabilize mood, improve mental performance
  • Rare side effects
  • Slightly unpleasant sour taste

Top 2. Noopept

Rating (2022): 4.19
Accounted for 219 reviews from resources: Yandex.Market, Eapteka, Otabletkah, Otzovik, Protabletky
Best OTC

Noopept is the most effective over-the-counter nootropic, really helping with traumatic brain injuries, problems with memory and attention, lack of cerebral circulation.

  • Average price: 375 rubles. (50 tab. 10 mg)
  • Producer: LEKKO/Pharmstandard (Russia)
  • Active ingredient: omberacetam
  • Dosage: 1 tab. 2 times a day
  • Side effects: allergic reaction, increased blood pressure

Noopept is one of the few nootropic drugs that can be bought at the pharmacy without a prescription.At the same time, this is a rather serious remedy with high efficiency and a pronounced effect. The action of the drug is aimed at the treatment and prevention of problems of cerebral circulation. Due to this, it helps to improve memory, the ability to assimilate a large amount of information and learning. Noopept is also indicated during the recovery period after traumatic brain injuries. The course should last at least 1.5 months, but the first improvements will be noticeable in a week, as evidenced by the feedback from both doctors and patients.

Pros and cons
  • Improves memory and learning ability
  • Helps accelerate recovery from traumatic brain injury
  • Can be used for both treatment and prevention
  • Requires a course intake of at least 1.5 months

Top 1. Glycine

Rating (2022): 4.24
Accounted for 1494 feedback from resources: Yandex.Market, Eapteka, Оtabletkah, Otzovik, Protabletky, Vrachi.rf
The most popular

Glycine is inexpensive, sold without a prescription, has a minimum of contraindications and side effects. It is these features that determine the high popularity of this tool, about which we managed to find the most reviews.

  • Average price: 40 rubles. (50 tab. 100 mg)
  • Manufacturer: MNPK Biotiki (Russia)
  • Active ingredient: glycine
  • Dosage: children over 3 years old and adults - 1 tab. 3 times a day
  • Side effects: allergic reaction

Glycine is an amino acid produced by the human body. This natural drug helps to improve memory and mental activity, reduces a person's conflict, improves the ability to social adaptation. The use of this tool allows you to normalize sleep, which is especially important for the elderly.Also, this amino acid restores the functions of the central nervous system after toxic poisoning with alcohol or other medications. It is recommended to take Glycine during stressful situations, problems at work or school, with a decrease in mental performance and with diseases of the nervous system, expressed by high excitability, sleep problems and emotional instability.

Pros and cons
  • Affordable cost
  • Tablets are easy to use under the tongue
  • sweet taste
  • Allowed for children
  • Contradictory opinions of physicians regarding effectiveness.
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Add a comment

5 comments
  1. Anna
    The doctor prescribed to drink a course of Recognan - this is a nootropic with citicoline, an analogue of ceraxon, only it costs less. The effect is excellent, the head works well, I get tired less and my mood is better.
  2. Alina
    I drank several times nootropics, there is something to compare. For me, the Recognan nootropic turned out to be the best in terms of results and effectiveness. It was when I took it that I had moderate activity and managed to avoid insomnia, my memory and attention were restored. It is easy to take and there are no side effects.
  3. Anna Mishina
    Recognan is a good nootropic. Prescribed to take to restore the cognitive functions of the brain. The help is real and the results are noticeable after the first week of admission. Well, I can’t help but note that it is well tolerated by the body, and convenient to take, you only need to drink one bag of solution per day.
  4. Liskovskaya
    At the end of last year, I couldn’t concentrate on my studies at all, what I read was not put off in my head, and literally after 5-10 minutes I couldn’t remember anything. Corrected the situation nootropic - recognan. Temporarily, of course, but it was enough for me to successfully close the session.
  5. Velveteen
    Cortexin has proven to be the best nootropic for me. I pricked him after a head injury, helped to quickly restore memory and attention, and his sleep became better with him.

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