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Ox5.0
Oxiracetam Research
Likely helps
11 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Oxiracetam appears to help in 4 of 4 studies with measurable effects — the evidence leans clearly favourable.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 1992–2026 with a typical study size of 500 participants.
Based on 11 studies · 2 meta-analyses · 7 RCTs · 46,118 total participants
Confidence
High confidence
What the studies found
4helped· 7 more without graded effect data
By outcome
Cognitive functionEnhances memory and learning via glutamatergic modulation · 2-4 weeks
Likely helps9 studies
Neuroprotection & brain aging
Mostly mechanism / observational3 studies
Heart & blood pressure
Mostly mechanism / observational3 studies
Therapeutic & clinical
Too few graded studies2 studies
Recovery
Too few graded studies1 study
Safety profile
Too few graded studies1 study
By the numbers
Pulled from 10 studies with measurable effects
Likely real effects
100%
across studies
People studied
46k
typical study: 500 people
Strongest designs
9
2 pooled, 7 randomised
Showed benefit
100%
4/4 studies
Populations Studied
Dementia patients2
Patients with vascular cognitive dysfunction1
High-risk patients after stroke1
Patients with vascular cognitive impairment1
Active research area
6 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2020
199220092026
1Cognitive dysfunction in dementiaMeta-AnalysisCited 43×n=44,854 · very large study2018
The most effective intervention for dementia available is symptomatic treatment for vascular dementia.
Perng CH et al. · Psychopharmacology (2018)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
The pooled standardized mean difference of the treatment effects on cognitive dysfunction was 0.439 (95% confidence interval 0.374, 0.504).
The most effective intervention for dementia available is symptomatic treatment for vascular dementia.
Antipsychotic treatment for dementia alleviates cognitive dysfunction less effectively than does symptomatic treatment.
Our previous experiments showed that nanowired delivery of oxiracetam significantly attenuated CHI-induced brain pathology and associated neurovascular changes.
Nozari A et al. · Advances in neurobiology (2023)
In this review, effect of hot environment on CHI-induced brain pathology is discussed.
In addition, whether nanodelivery of oxiracetam together with neprilysin and monoclonal antibodies (mAb) to amyloid beta peptide and p-tau could lead to superior neuroprotection in CHI is explored.
Our results show that co-administration of oxiracetam with neprilysin and mAb to AβP and p-tau significantly induced superior neuroprotection following CHI in hot environment, not reported earlier.
3Mental status and cognitive function improvementMeta-AnalysisCited 2×2020
Based on the current clinical evidence, olacetam is more effective and safer than alternatives in the treatment of vascular cognitive dysfunction.
Yi Z et al. · Journal of nanoscience and nanotechnology (2020)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
The results of the meta-analysis showed that compared with placebo and other medications, oxiracetam significantly improved the mental status of patients, Concise Mental State Checklist score [mean difference (MD)= 5.29, P < 0.01] and Montreal Cognitive Assessment score (MD = 4.32, P < 0.01).
The Barthel Index demonstrated that oxiracetam significantly improved the quality of the daily life of patients (MD = 18, P < 0.01), but there was no difference between olacetam and placebo or other medications in the rating of activities of daily living (ADLs).
The total effective rate of olacetam was significantly higher than that of other treatments (P < 0.01).
5Efficacy and safety of oxiracetam in vascular cognitive impairmentRCTCited 9×n=500 · large study2023
This trial is meaningful not only to prove the efficacy of oxiracetam, but also evaluate whether exercise can modify the effects of medication and how cognitive function can be restored.
Lim JS et al. · Contemporary clinical trials (2023)
This trial is meaningful not only to prove the efficacy of oxiracetam, but also evaluate whether exercise can modify the effects of medication and how cognitive function can be restored.
Subgroup 1 drugs include piracetam, oxiracetam, aniracetam, pramiracetam and phenylpiracetam, which have been used in humans and some of which are available as dietary supplements.
Malykh AG, Sadaie MR · Drugs (2010)
Of the subgroup 1 racetams, oxiracetam and aniracetam are no longer in clinical use.
The modes of action of piracetam and most of its derivatives remain an enigma; differential effects on subtypes of glutamate receptors, but not the GABAergic actions, have been implicated.
Based on calculations of the efficacy rates, our assessments indicate notable improvements in clinical outcomes with some of these agents.
7Cognitive function improvement in traumatic brain injuryRCT2025
This rct examined the effects of Oxiracetam.
Liu T et al. · Signal transduction and targeted therapy (2025)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
The LS mean difference of the L-oxiracetam was significantly higher than the placebo group (8.97, 95% CI 5.69,12.26; P < 0.001; Cohen's d = 0.48 [95% CI: 0.26,0.69]) and the oxiracetam group (4.54, 95% CI 1.85,7.23).
No significant safety concerns were reported.
Despite limitations such as loss to follow-up, the findings of this study provide important evidence for the clinical management of cognitive dysfunction following TBI.
(S)-oxiracetam was safe and tolerated with favorable pharmacokinetic profiles at all study doses, providing dosing evidence for further efficacy evaluation.
Zhang T et al. · European journal of pharmaceutical sciences : official journal of the European Federation for Pharmaceutical Sciences (2024)
In the SAD study, no chiral transformation was observed. 55.03% and 36.16% of (S)-oxiracetam was excreted unchanged in urine and feces, respectively.
(S)-oxiracetam was safe and tolerated with favorable pharmacokinetic profiles at all study doses, providing dosing evidence for further efficacy evaluation.
9Treatment effectiveness for vascular cognitive impairmentRCTCited 9×n=120 · medium study2020
The clinical effect is definite.
Wang B et al. · Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences (2020)
Huge benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
The combined group had the highest effective rate and the total effective rate was 93.3%.
The combined use of nicergoline and oxiracetam can significantly improve the severity of symptoms and quality of life in patients with vascular cognitive impairment after stroke.
Conclusion: Nicergoline and oxiracetam are effective drugs in the treatment of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI).
10Cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's diseaseRCTn=24 · very small study1992
These findings indicate that oxiracetam is ineffective in reducing cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease.
Green RC et al. · Archives of Neurology (1992)
Twenty-four carefully assessed patients with probable Alzheimer's disease were enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled treatment study of oxiracetam.
A broad battery of neuropsychological tests failed to reveal any improvement in the treated group or in any treated patient when individual test scores were analyzed.
These findings indicate that oxiracetam is ineffective in reducing cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease.
11Cognitive function in vascular dementiaRCTn=120 · medium study2021
Compared before treatment, the subitem scores and total scores of MMSE, ADAS-Cog score, CDT score and Barthel index score after treatment were improved in the two groups.
Han H et al. · Zhongguo Zhen Jiu (2021)
120 patients with vascular dementia after cerebral infarction were randomized; the western medication group received oral oxiracetam capsules, 2 capsules 3 times a day for 8 weeks.
Compared before treatment, the subitem scores and total scores of MMSE, ADAS-Cog score, CDT score and Barthel index score after treatment were improved in the two groups.
The total effective rate was 89.8% in the acupuncture combined with medication group versus 76.3% in the oxiracetam-only western medication group.