piracetam

noun

pir·​ac·​e·​tam ˌpī(-ə)r-ˈa-sə-ˌtam 

: an amine C₆H₁₀N₂O₂ that has been used as a nootropic

Examples of piracetam in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Of the four that actually did contain piracetam, one had dangerously high levels. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 26 Nov. 2019

The agency has specifically called out supplement makers for selling piracetam. — Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 26 Nov. 2019

Relentless Improvement, Nootropics, and Specialty Pharmacy sold their products as piracetam. — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 25 Nov. 2019

The Food and Drug Administration doesn’t allow piracetam to be sold as a dietary supplement and has issued warning letters in the past to other companies marketing supplements that contain it. — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 25 Nov. 2019

The idea that piracetam might reverse that effect was exciting. — Sara Solovitch, Washington Post, 11 June 2017

Modafinil, used in the treatment of narcolepsy, and piracetam, for dementia, are two of the most popular. — Aaron E. Carroll, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2016

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary pir- (alteration of pyrrolidine, a pyrrole derivative) + acetamide

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

piracetam

noun

pir·​ac·​e·​tam ˌpī(ə)r-ˈas-ə-ˌtam 

: a derivative C₆H₁₀N₂O₂ of pyrrolidine that has been used as a nootropic