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Aniracetam
N-Anisoyl-2-pyrrolidinone
Draganon, Sarpul, Ampamet, Memodrin, ReferanOpen in Piru
Aniracetam is described as a cognition enhancer1 in the racetam family2, developed by Roche Pharmaceutical. It combines anisoyl and 2-pyrrolidinone moieties in a substituted imide structure1 and is distinguished from piracetam and related racetams by an anisoyl ring bearing a para methoxy group. Reports characterize its effects as emphasizing physical stimulation more than cognitive stimulation, although human efficacy remains limited.
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.
Threshold350 mg
Light500-1200 mg
Moderate1500 mg
Strong1800-2400 mg
Heavy2400+ mg
Duration
Onset45-90 minutes
Total3-5 hours
Subjective Effects
Subjective Effects not written up yet
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
Aniracetam positively modulates AMPA receptors3. It is thought to increase acetylcholine release in hippocampal cells, which may contribute to its effects on memory and cognition. Additional modulation of GABAergic and dopaminergic neurotransmission has been reported, and a rat study found nonselective monoamine oxidase inhibitor activity. The active metabolite N-anisoyl-GABA may contribute substantially to increased acetylcholine release and, together with other metabolites, may increase dopamine and stimulate nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in rat models.
Pharmacokinetics
After oral ingestion, aniracetam is rapidly broken down by first-pass hepatic metabolism. N-anisoyl-GABA accounts for approximately 70–80% of the primary metabolites, while 2-pyrrolidinone and p-anisic acid together account for approximately 20–30%. During the first few hours after oral administration, plasma concentrations are generally 5–15 μg/L for aniracetam and 5–15 mg/L for N-anisoyl-GABA.
Dangerous
Highest riskThese combinations are considered extremely harmful and should always be avoided. Reactions to these drugs taken in combination are highly unpredictable and have a potential to cause death.
MAOIs
Tolerance
Tolerance timelines are rules of thumb, not exact schedules, and vary widely between individuals and use patterns.
Tolerance to many effects develops with prolonged and repeated use, potentially requiring increasingly large doses to achieve the same effects.
In the absence of further consumption, tolerance returns to baseline in about 1–2 weeks.
After prolonged and repeated use, tolerance takes about 3–7 days to reduce to half.
Possible cross-tolerance with racetam nootropics (including coluracetam and piracetam), which may have reduced effects after aniracetam use.
Harm Potential
Toxicity
The exact toxic dosage is unknown.
History & Culture
Development and early classification
Aniracetam was first made in the 1970s by Hoffmann-La Roche. It became known as one of the first synthesized derivatives of piracetam and was classified as a nootropic in the racetam family.
Legality
By Country
Controlled / restricted3
United StatesRestrictedFederal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act §§ 201(g)(1), 201(p), 301(a), 301(d), 502(f)(1), and 505(a) (21 U.S.C. §§ 321(g)(1), 321(p), 331(a), 331(d), 352(f)(1), and 355(a)); FDA Warning Letter 557887 (Feb. 4, 2019)16
FDA's enforcement determination concerns federal interstate marketing of the exact named product and does not classify aniracetam under the Controlled Substances Act. Personal possession and state-law treatment fall outside its scope.
JapanRestrictedMHLW Pharmaceutical Safety and Environmental Health Bureau Monitoring and Narcotics Control Division Notice Yakusei-Kanma 1126 No. 3 (26 Nov 2018), effective 1 Jan 20197
Aniracetam is subject to an import-specific restriction that does not classify it as a narcotic or scheduled drug.
SingaporeRestrictedAniracetam is expressly named in the current Poisons Act Schedule. The Act’s general prohibition provides that a person must not import, possess for sale, sell, or offer for sale a poison without a licence. Aniracetam is therefore subject to a poison-licensing restriction, but is not thereby classified as a controlled drug, and the provision does not prohibit all personal possession.
Prescription1
AustraliaPrescription onlyTherapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard—June 2026) Instrument 2026 (Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons No. 48), F2026L006331112
The current federal Poisons Standard expressly lists ANIRACETAM in Schedule 4. Schedule 4 describes substances whose use or supply should be by, or on the order of, persons permitted by State or Territory legislation to prescribe and which should be available from a pharmacist on prescription. The Standard states that scheduling is implemented through relevant State and Territory legislation.
Legal / decriminalized1
FinlandLegal (regulated)Lääkealan turvallisuus- ja kehittämiskeskuksen päätös lääkeluettelosta 230/2025 (Finland Medicine List), issued under Medicines Act 395/1987, section 68910
Current Finnish Medicine List decision 230/2025, in force since 19 May 2025, expressly lists Aniracetam under its Finnish and Latin names among substances used as medicines and considered medicines. Aniracetam therefore has regulated-medicine status, but the decision does not designate a specific Finnish Aniracetam product as prescription-only.
References
Source Pages
Citations
Further Reading
Examine: .com - Aniracetam overview
Kaneko et al. 1991 - Effects of cerebroprotective drugs on NMDA channel function- Lee & Benfield 1994 - Aniracetam: pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties review
- Ling & Benardo 2005 - Nootropic agents enhance fast GABA inhibition in neocortex
Nakamura & Kurasawa 2001 - Anxiolytic effects of aniracetam in mouse models- Nakamura et al. 2000 - Pharmacokinetics of aniracetam in healthy volunteers
- Paterniti et al. 2010 - Aniracetam as an anxiolytic AMPAkine
- PubChem: 2159
- PubChem: Aniracetam (CID 2196)
- Stancheva & Alova 1988 - Effect of aniracetam on monoamine oxidase activity
- Zhao et al. 2001 - Nootropic drug modulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
Article Status
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