Phenylpiracetam Reference

Plain English

What it is

Phenylpiracetam (also sold as Phenotropil or fonturacetam) is a lab-made compound in the racetam family, similar to piracetam but with an added stimulant effect. It is not approved by the FDA for use in the United States, where it is sold as a research chemical rather than an approved medicine or authorized supplement. It is, however, approved and used as a prescription medicine in Russia for cognitive and low-energy (called 'asthenic') conditions.

What people use it for

In the nootropic community, people take it hoping for sharper focus, more energy, and a lift in physical or athletic performance. It is banned in competition by the World Anti-Doping Agency as a stimulant, so it can cause a failed drug test for athletes.

What the science shows

Most of the human research comes from older Russian-language studies in areas like stroke recovery, low energy, and memory problems, with little independent confirmation in Western journals. Because of that, its benefits for healthy people remain largely unproven.

The catch

It acts like a stimulant, and users widely report that the effects fade fast as the body builds tolerance. Since it is not an FDA-approved or quality-checked product in the US, what is sold may not match the label, and using it can trigger a positive doping test in competition.

Reference summary

Russian-language clinical literature in stroke recovery, asthenia, and cognitive impairment. Limited Western-journal replication.

Regulatory and posture

Categories

Nootropic, Cognitive

Aliases

Phenotropil, Carphedon, Fonturacetam

Evidence posture

human - Not FDA-approved in the US. Russian regulatory approval. WADA-prohibited under category S6 stimulants in competition. Stimulant-class profile means tolerance builds quickly per community reports.

Regulatory status

No FDA-approved phenylpiracetam drug label. Russian-approved for cognitive / asthenic indications. WADA prohibits phenylpiracetam under category S6 stimulants in competition.

Content review status

research reference