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BHuman cohort / observational
Neuropsychiatric

Phenylpiracetam

Phenotropil

Phenylpiracetam (also called fonturacetam, carphedon, or by the brand Phenotropil/Actitropil) is a phenyl-substituted analogue of the racetam nootropic piracetam, developed and marketed mainly in Russia and a few post-Soviet countries. It is used there as a prescription drug for asthenia (low energy/fatigue), recovery after stroke and brain injury, chronic cerebral ischemia, and as an add-on in epilepsy, and is taken off-label by students, biohackers, and athletes as a stimulant-like "smart drug." Several cautions apply: it is not approved for human use in the United States or most Western countries and is frequently sold as an adulterated, mislabeled, or illegal "dietary supplement" with unpredictable and sometimes pharmaceutical-level or above-label doses, often stacked with other unapproved drugs; it behaves as a dopamine-transporter (DAT) inhibitor with stimulant-like activity, so plausible effects include insomnia, agitation, irritability, and raised blood pressure/heart rate, though dedicated human safety data are almost entirely absent; and it is a prohibited substance in sport (banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency since 1998), so competitive athletes risk sanctions. The human efficacy evidence is limited to small, mostly Russian-language, low-quality trials, and there is essentially no rigorous human data on cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, hormonal, or reproductive safety. This is an educational summary, not medical advice; these substances carry serious risks and any use should involve a qualified physician and bloodwork. 21+ only.

Clinical readoutPED-adjacent · nootropic
Hepatic strainNone
CardiovascularNone
HPTA suppressionNone
Half-life
4 h
Route
Oral
Evidence
B
Active
Reported subjective/cli…
4 h8 h12 h16 h20 h
Illustrative single-compartment washout · each mark = one half-life · t½ ≈ Human pharmacokinetic data are sparse and not well characterized in peer-reviewed literature; a half-life on the order of a few hours (commonly cited as ~3-5 hours) is reported in manufacturer/secondary sources but is not established by robust published human PK studies. Preclinical work confirms rapid brain penetration (measurable brain tissue levels within ~15 minutes of dosing in rodents).
Pharmacology

Mechanism of action

Phenylpiracetam is the phenylated derivative of piracetam and is marketed as a racemic mixture. Its most clearly characterized molecular action, established in preclinical target-profiling and radioligand-binding studies, is inhibition of the dopamine transporter (DAT), producing a stimulant-like increase in synaptic dopamine without appreciable direct action on norepinephrine or serotonin receptors; the R-enantiomer in particular binds DAT and the memory-enhancing activity appears R-specific while stimulant/locomotor and antidepressant-like effects are seen with both enantiomers. Additional mechanisms proposed largely from animal work include modulation of cholinergic, GABAergic and NMDA/glutamatergic signaling (as a GABA-derivative racetam), mitochondrial/neuroprotective ("mitoprotective") effects, and anti-inflammatory activity (reduced TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, iNOS expression in an animal endotoxemia model). The precise mechanism underlying its clinical nootropic/antiasthenic effects in humans is not firmly established; most mechanistic claims rest on animal and in-vitro data.
Kinetics

Pharmacokinetics

Half-life

Human pharmacokinetic data are sparse and not well characterized in peer-reviewed literature; a half-life on the order of a few hours (commonly cited as ~3-5 hours) is reported in manufacturer/secondary sources but is not established by robust published human PK studies. Preclinical work confirms rapid brain penetration (measurable brain tissue levels within ~15 minutes of dosing in rodents).

Active duration

Reported subjective/clinical effects last roughly several hours per oral dose; not rigorously quantified in humans.

Route

Oral (clinical tablet form); investigational routes in animals include intraperitoneal and oral.

Metabolism & clearance

Elimination is at least partly renal, with unchanged parent compound (carphedon) recoverable in human urine (the basis of anti-doping detection assays); comprehensive human metabolism/clearance data are lacking. PK details are provided only for monitoring/washout and clinician discussion, not for evading drug testing.

For monitoring and washout planning, not drug-test evasion.

Reported effects

Physiological & performance effects

  • Reported nootropic/cognitive effects (attention, memory) in low-quality human trials and animal models
  • Stimulant-like increase in alertness, locomotor activity and physical endurance via DAT inhibition (historically described as increasing physical endurance and cold resistance)
  • Antiasthenic effect (reduction of fatigue) reported in Russian clinical use for asthenic syndrome
  • Anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects reported in animal models and Russian clinical literature
  • Anticonvulsant/add-on antiepileptic effect with cognitive improvement reported as adjunct therapy in small trials
  • Reported improvement in neurological recovery and daily-living activities after stroke in a Russian controlled trial
  • Preclinical anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antiplatelet, and body-weight/glucose-lowering effects (animal models only)
Safety

Adverse effects by system

Cardiovascular

No dedicated human cardiovascular safety data. Because it acts as a DAT inhibitor with stimulant-like properties, stimulant-type effects such as increased blood pressure and heart rate are mechanistically plausible; this is an inference from preclinical mechanism, not from human safety studies.

Hepatic

No adequate human data. There are no published human studies of hepatotoxicity and no established signal of liver injury; absence of data is not evidence of safety.

Endocrine / HPTA

No adequate human data. Phenylpiracetam is not a hormonal or anabolic agent and there is no described mechanism for, or evidence of, hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPTA) axis suppression; the effect on sex hormones is simply unstudied.

Reproductive

No adequate human data. Effects on fertility, pregnancy, or reproductive hormones are unstudied; use in pregnancy/lactation has not been evaluated.

Neuropsychiatric

No dedicated human adverse-event dataset. Given the stimulant-like DAT-inhibitor mechanism, plausible effects include insomnia, irritability, agitation, and anxiety; conversely anxiolytic/antidepressant-like effects are reported in animal models and Russian clinical literature. Human psychiatric adverse effects are poorly characterized.

Renal

No adequate human data on renal toxicity. The kidney is a route of elimination (unchanged drug appears in urine), but no nephrotoxicity has been documented or excluded.

Hematologic

No adequate human data. Preclinical work in hyperglycemic rats shows an antiplatelet/anti-aggregant effect (via constitutive NO synthase modulation), which raises a theoretical, unconfirmed concern about platelet function; no human hematologic effects are established.

Dermatologic

No adequate human data. No dermatologic adverse effects are established in the peer-reviewed literature.

Recovery

HPTA suppression & recovery

Suppression: None expected mechanistically, but unstudied

Phenylpiracetam is a nootropic/stimulant-type racetam, not an androgen, anabolic steroid, or SERM, and has no described mechanism of HPTA suppression; however, its endocrine effects have not been formally studied in humans. No SERM-based recovery protocol is applicable or indicated for this compound. Any concern about hormonal or reproductive effects should be evaluated with bloodwork and directed by an endocrinologist. Single-SERM approaches only are ever discussed on this site; dual-SERM protocols are out of scope.

Bloodwork & vitals

Monitoring

Recommended labs & checks
Baseline and periodic blood pressure and heart rateBasic metabolic panel including renal function (creatinine/eGFR)Liver function tests (baseline, given the absence of hepatic safety data)Complete blood countFasting glucose (preclinical data show glucose-lowering/metabolic effects)

Cadence: Baseline before any use and periodically (e.g., every few months) during use, plus prompt evaluation if warning signs appear; there is no evidence-based monitoring schedule specific to this drug, so err toward clinician oversight and bloodwork.

Warning signs — seek care
  • Chest pain, palpitations, or markedly elevated blood pressure
  • Severe insomnia, agitation, panic/anxiety, or mood destabilization
  • Confusion, severe headache, or new neurological symptoms
  • Signs of an allergic reaction (rash, swelling, difficulty breathing)
  • Any unexpected or persistent symptom after starting the product
Do not use if

Contraindications

  • Not approved for human use in the US and most Western countries; obtaining it as a supplement carries risk of adulteration, mislabeling, and unpredictable dosing
  • Competitive athletes subject to anti-doping testing (prohibited by WADA since 1998 as carphedon/fonturacetam)
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding (no safety data)
  • Known hypersensitivity to piracetam or racetam derivatives
  • Caution/avoid with uncontrolled hypertension, cardiovascular disease, arrhythmia, or concurrent stimulants given the stimulant-like DAT-inhibitor mechanism (mechanistic caution, not established human data)
  • Caution with psychiatric conditions prone to agitation, insomnia, or anxiety
  • Because renal excretion is a clearance route, caution is reasonable in significant renal impairment (unstudied)
Combinations

Interaction profile

  • MajorWith an anabolic steroid: Additive cardiovascular strain
  • MajorWith a stimulant: Additive cardiovascular strain
  • ModerateWith a SARM: Additive cardiovascular strain
  • MajorWith thyroid hormone: Additive cardiovascular strain
  • ModerateWith a GLP-1 / incretin agonist: Additive cardiovascular strain
  • ModerateWith a melanocortin agonist: Additive hypertension
  • MajorWith a QT-prolonging drug: QT prolongation
  • ContraindicatedWith DNP: Additive cardiovascular strain

Check a specific combination in the interaction checker.

Harm reduction

Reducing harm & when to stop

  • This compound is not an approved medicine in most Western countries and 'nootropic' supplements containing it are frequently mislabeled, adulterated, or dosed unpredictably (including above-label and combined with other unapproved drugs) - you often cannot know what or how much you are actually taking.
  • There is essentially no human safety data for cardiovascular, liver, kidney, hormonal, reproductive, or blood-related effects; do not assume it is safe because harms are undocumented - absence of data is not evidence of safety.
  • If you choose to use it despite these unknowns, involve a qualified clinician, get baseline and periodic bloodwork (renal and liver panels, CBC, glucose) and monitor blood pressure and heart rate.
  • Given the stimulant-like mechanism, avoid combining with other stimulants and avoid late-day dosing that could cause insomnia; be cautious if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, arrhythmia, anxiety, or a seizure/psychiatric history.
  • Stop and seek medical care for chest pain, palpitations, very high blood pressure, severe insomnia or agitation, panic/mood changes, confusion, severe headache, or any allergic reaction.
  • Do not use in pregnancy or breastfeeding; it has not been studied for safety in these settings.
  • Competitive athletes: this substance is banned in sport (WADA, since 1998) and can result in a positive test and sanctions.
  • This is educational information only and not medical advice; it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Consult a physician before use. 21+ only.
Evidence

Citations (13)

Every clinical claim above is tied to a primary source. Overall evidence grade B — graded to the best available evidence for its core claims.

  1. 01

    Phenylpiracetam (fonturacetam/carphedon/Phenotropil) is a phenyl-substituted racetam nootropic with reported additional anxiolytic, antiasthenic, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory and anticonvulsant effects; proposed for cerebral ischemia, neurodegeneration, epilepsy, asthenia and mental disorders, with adaptogenic and mitochondria-protective properties.

    ReviewPMID 39269293 ↗

  2. 02

    Phenylpiracetam is not approved for human use in the United States and is found as an unapproved drug in over-the-counter cognitive-enhancement supplements, which may contain multiple unapproved drugs at inaccurate, sometimes pharmaceutical-level or above-label doses without clinician oversight.

    ReviewPMID 34484905 ↗

  3. 03

    Phenylpiracetam is an unauthorized/prescription-only (in Russia) nootropic circulating on the illegal and supplement market, including as bulk raw material, with potential detrimental health effects for consumers who may be unaware of the risks.

    ReviewPMID 40558871 ↗

  4. 04

    Fonturacetam (4-phenylpiracetam, carphedon) was the first nootropic prohibited in sport and has been on the anti-doping prohibited list since 1998.

    ReviewPMID 37357012 ↗

  5. 05

    R-phenylpiracetam binds and inhibits the dopamine transporter (DAT) as its principal molecular target and shows neuroprotective/anti-inflammatory effects (reduced TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, iNOS) with rapid brain penetration in mice.

    PreclinicalPMID 32279140 ↗

  6. 06

    S-phenylpiracetam is a selective DAT inhibitor (no norepinephrine/serotonin receptor activity) that reduces body-weight gain, blood glucose and leptin in obese rodents without stimulating locomotor activity.

    PreclinicalPMID 28743458 ↗

  7. 07

    Phenylpiracetam shows stereoselective pharmacology: memory improvement is specific to the R-enantiomer while increased locomotor activity and antidepressant-like effects occur with both enantiomers; both penetrate brain tissue.

    PreclinicalPMID 21689376 ↗

  8. 08

    In a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial (n=90) of add-on phenylpiracetam (100 or 200 mg) in adults with symptomatic localized epilepsy, it reduced seizure frequency and improved cognitive function without epileptiform EEG worsening; it did not reduce the negative effects of standard antiepileptic therapy in 40% of patients.

    RCTPMID 25591651 ↗

  9. 09

    In patients with symptomatic focal post-traumatic epilepsy (n=75), phenylpiracetam (phenotropil) as adjunct therapy was associated with reduced seizure frequency and improved cognition/quality of life without the seizure aggravation seen with some nootropics.

    RCTPMID 23887448 ↗

  10. 10

    In a controlled clinical trial of ischemic stroke rehabilitation (n=400), phenylpiracetam 400 mg/day over courses within the first year was associated with significantly greater restoration of neurologic function and daily-living activities than control.

    CohortPMID 21626817 ↗

  11. 11

    In a large non-interventional observational program (TRIUMPH, n=1170) of asthenic syndrome in chronic brain ischemia, phenylpiracetam 100 mg over 2-3 months was associated with reduced asthenia severity across MFI-20 subscales.

    CohortPMID 25726789 ↗

  12. 12

    Carphedon (phenylpiracetam) is excreted and detectable unchanged in human urine, consistent with renal elimination, and is described historically as increasing physical endurance and cold resistance.

    PreclinicalPMID 10746314 ↗

  13. 13

    Phenylpiracetam has a preclinical antiplatelet/anti-aggregant effect in hyperglycemic rats, associated with modulation of constitutive nitric oxide synthase in platelets and vascular endothelium.

    PreclinicalPMID 24824701 ↗

Last reviewed 2026-07-06 · Verified against PubMed · Educational, not medical advice