Centrophenoxine Reference

Plain English

What it is

Centrophenoxine (also called Lucidril or meclofenoxate) is an older brain-targeted drug first developed in Europe. It is not approved by the FDA for anything in the US, where it is instead sold as a "nootropic" or cognitive-enhancement supplement. It is approved in a few non-US countries, such as Japan and China, for certain specific conditions.

What people use it for

People take it hoping to sharpen memory and thinking. Based on an older anti-aging idea, some also use it hoping to clear lipofuscin, a so-called "age pigment" that builds up inside cells as people get older.

What the science shows

The supporting research is old, leans on dated European studies, and the results are mixed. One primate study found no real reduction in that age pigment. The human cognitive benefits are largely unproven.

The catch

It is an unapproved drug rather than a recognized supplement ingredient, and it is banned in competitive sport. Products that claim to contain it often have inaccurate labels, so what is printed may not match what is actually inside.

Reference summary

Older European clinical literature on cerebral metabolism and lipofuscin reduction in elderly cognitive-impairment populations.

Regulatory and posture

Categories

Nootropic, Longevity

Aliases

Lucidril, Meclofenoxate

Evidence posture

human - Not FDA-approved in the US. Older non-US approval. Trial methodology is dated; community longevity framing outruns modern evidence.

Regulatory status

No FDA-approved centrophenoxine drug label. Approved in Hungary and a few non-US markets for cognitive impairment and lipofuscin clearance.

Content review status

research reference