Phenylpiracetam
A piracetam derivative from the racetam family, registered as a drug only in Russia under the name Phenotropil — and, at the same time, a substance listed on WADA's prohibited list for doping. That second fact, not enthusiastic 'super-nootropic' write-ups, should be the first thing read by any athlete or biohacker considering it.
Number of studies
2
Safety
Requires caution
Time to effects
Subjective stimulant effects are sometimes reported within hours of taking a dose in informal user accounts, but no controlled study in healthy, adult humans has confirmed a clear time course or the actual magnitude of any effect.
Monthly cost
ok. 70–140 zł/miesiąc, przy czym cena nie odzwierciedla kontrolowanej jakości ani legalności produktu
Price in Poland
Jako "research chemical": ok. 70–140 zł za opakowanie starczające na miesiąc, zależnie od źródła i braku standaryzacji
Who it's for
Cena nie jest związana z jakością czy potwierdzoną skutecznością — rynek poza Rosją jest nieuregulowany, a dla sportowców koszt potencjalnej dyskwalifikacji po wykryciu substancji w kontroli antydopingowej jest nieporównywalnie wyższy niż cena samego produktu.
Indicative prices for the Polish market — we don't point to specific retailers; the real price depends on the manufacturer, form and place of purchase.
Table of contents
TL;DR
A piracetam derivative from the racetam family, registered as a drug only in Russia under the name Phenotropil — and, at the same time, a substance listed on WADA's prohibited list for doping. That second fact, not enthusiastic 'super-nootropic' write-ups, should be the first thing read by any athlete or biohacker considering it.
- →Shows increased locomotor activity and resistance to physical stress in rodent studies
- →The R-enantiomer showed improved memory in the passive avoidance test at a low dose in an animal model
- →Both enantiomers showed antidepressant-like activity in mouse studies in the forced swim test
| Substance | Phenylpiracetam (INN: fonturacetam), a piracetam derivative from the racetam family |
|---|---|
| Anti-doping status | Banned by WADA — category S6, non-specified stimulants (in and out of competition) |
| Regulatory status | Registered prescription drug in Russia (Phenotropil); unapproved 'research chemical' in the West |
| Level of evidence | Preliminary — almost entirely rodent studies, practically no controlled clinical trials in humans |
| Proposed mechanism | Unclear racetam-class mechanism + reports of selective dopamine transporter inhibition by the S-enantiomer |
| Clinical form | Racemic mixture of R and S — preclinical data suggest the memory effect may be specific to the R-enantiomer |
Understand
Overview
Phenylpiracetam (international name: fonturacetam, also known by the brand names Phenotropil and Carphedon) is a synthetic compound from the racetam family — structurally it's piracetam with an added phenyl group, which according to preclinical data shifts its pharmacological profile toward stronger psychostimulant action compared to the parent piracetam. The substance was developed in Russia in the 1980s, originally as part of the space program, intended to increase cosmonauts' resistance to stress, cold, and sleep deprivation during long orbital missions.
The single most important practical fact that should precede any discussion of phenylpiracetam's potential benefits is its anti-doping status. The substance (under the names fonturacetam, 4-phenylpiracetam, or carphedon) is on the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) prohibited list, in category S6 — non-specified stimulants, in effect both in and out of competition. The ban isn't a new or marginal entry — phenylpiracetam (as carphedon) was the first nootropic ever banned in Olympic sport, back in 1998, and has remained consistently present on WADA's annually updated lists ever since. For any athlete subject to anti-doping testing — not just professionals, but also amateurs competing in events governed by WADA or a national anti-doping agency's rules — using phenylpiracetam in any form or dose carries a real risk of detection and disqualification, regardless of intent (e.g., 'just for focus at work,' not sport) or belief about a short detection window.
Phenylpiracetam's legal status as a drug mirrors that of noopept and many other Russian-origin racetams: the substance is a registered prescription drug in Russia under the brand name Phenotropil, used clinically in neurological rehabilitation (including after strokes), attention disorders, and as an agent increasing resistance to physical stress. In Western markets, including Poland and the entire EU, phenylpiracetam is neither an approved drug nor a legal dietary supplement ingredient — it functions only as an unregulated 'research chemical' sold through online stores, without any external quality or purity control.
The evidence base for phenylpiracetam's effectiveness in humans is very narrow, even thinner than noopept's. The vast majority of published scientific literature consists of animal studies (mainly rats and mice) assessing locomotor activity, depression-like behaviors, or memory in aversion tests — not clinical studies in healthy, adult humans under controlled conditions. The few available data even suggest that the mnemotropic (memory-supporting) effect may be specific to one of the substance's two enantiomers (R), while the clinically used form is a racemic mixture of both — which, if confirmed by further research, would mean the commonly available racemic product doesn't fully exploit the potential described in single-enantiomer studies.
The proposed mechanism of action for phenylpiracetam combines an element common to racetams (a presumed AMPA receptor modulation, though the mechanism of this class remains generally poorly established even for the better-studied piracetam) with an element more specific to this particular derivative — reports of selective dopamine transporter inhibition by the S-enantiomer, which would pharmacologically distinguish phenylpiracetam from classic piracetam and partly explain its stronger, more 'stimulating' action reported in animal models and user accounts. This mechanism, like the rest of the substance's pharmacological profile, comes mainly from preclinical research and remains largely unconfirmed in humans.
For anyone considering phenylpiracetam from a 'biohacking' perspective, it's essential to understand that the substance combines three independent reasons for caution: legal status (no approval as a drug or supplement in the West), anti-doping status (real risk of sports disqualification, a ban in place for over two decades), and evidentiary status (the human evidence base is practically nonexistent, with most knowledge coming from rodents). None of these three elements alone automatically disqualifies every potential use, but together they add up to a substance profile that warrants noticeably more caution than enthusiastic descriptions in nootropics communities suggest.
History of use
Phenylpiracetam was developed in the Soviet Union in the 1980s, as part of research into agents increasing cosmonauts' resistance to stress, low temperatures, and sleep deprivation during long orbital missions. Since 1998, the substance, under the name carphedon, was the first nootropic formally banned in Olympic sport by the International Olympic Committee, a ban subsequently adopted and consistently maintained by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) since its founding in 1999, still present on the prohibited list today. In Russia, the drug was registered under the brand name Phenotropil and remains used there clinically in neurological rehabilitation. Outside Russia, the substance gained popularity in the international nootropics community from the late 2000s as a 'stronger' alternative to piracetam, sold outside the drug regulation system.
Mechanism of action
Phenylpiracetam is structurally piracetam with an added phenyl group at the fourth carbon of the pyrrolidinone ring, which introduces a chiral center and two possible enantiomers — R and S. The clinically used Russian form of the drug (Phenotropil) is a racemic mixture of both enantiomers, though preclinical research suggests their pharmacological profiles may differ substantially, which matters for interpreting exactly which component is responsible for observed effects.
A 2011 Latvian team study, published in Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, directly compared both enantiomers in mice across several behavioral tests. The R-enantiomer increased locomotor activity in the open-field test already at doses of 10 and 50 mg/kg, while the S-enantiomer required a higher dose (50 mg/kg) for a similar effect. In the forced swim test (a rodent model of depression-like behavior), both enantiomers showed antidepressant-like activity, though at somewhat different doses. The most notable difference concerned memory: in the passive avoidance test, improvement was seen only with the R-enantiomer, already at a low dose of 1 mg/kg, while the S-enantiomer showed no activity in the same test — even though brain concentrations of both enantiomers in the tested animals were similar, ruling out a simple difference in brain penetration as the explanation for this discrepancy.
A second mechanistic element, more often cited in the context of the substance's stimulant action, involves reports that the S-enantiomer of phenylpiracetam acts as a selective dopamine transporter (DAT) inhibitor, without significant effect on norepinephrine or serotonin transporters — a mechanism distinguishing this derivative from classic piracetam, which shows no significant dopaminergic activity. It's this element, if it actually translates to the human brain in a manner analogous to animal models, that could explain why phenylpiracetam is described in user reports and the limited literature as noticeably more 'stimulating' and psychoactive than piracetam, despite sharing the same basic chemical scaffold.
It's worth emphasizing that the mechanism of action of the entire racetam class, including the best-studied piracetam, remains generally poorly established in the scientific literature — the classic AMPA receptor modulation hypothesis has never been clearly confirmed as the main, dominant mechanism of this group of compounds. For phenylpiracetam, with its much smaller research base than piracetam, the level of mechanistic uncertainty is proportionally even greater — most of what's described above comes from single rodent studies, not from repeated, independent studies or any imaging or biochemical data in humans.
Modification of the piracetam structure
Adding a phenyl group to piracetam's pyrrolidinone ring introduces a chiral center and two enantiomers with different action profiles.
R-enantiomer — effect on memory and locomotion
In mouse studies, the R-enantiomer improved passive avoidance test results (memory) already at a low dose, unlike the S-enantiomer.
S-enantiomer — selective DAT inhibition
Reports indicate the S-enantiomer acts as a selective dopamine transporter inhibitor, without significant effect on norepinephrine or serotonin.
Unconfirmed AMPA modulation
The classic racetam hypothesis of AMPA receptor modulation remains poorly established even for piracetam, and even less studied for phenylpiracetam.
Evidence: early-stage — based on 2 studies in this database.
Benefits
Common myths
MythPhenylpiracetam is just a 'stronger piracetam,' with no additional risks beyond potency.
FactPhenylpiracetam differs from piracetam not just in potency but in profile — reports of an effect on the dopamine transporter, a separate anti-doping status (piracetam isn't banned by WADA, phenylpiracetam is), and a much thinner human evidence base mean it isn't simply 'the same thing, just stronger.'
MythIf I'm not a professional athlete, the WADA ban doesn't apply to me.
FactWADA and national anti-doping agency rules also apply to many amateur athletes competing in events governed by these regulations (e.g., licensed amateur running, triathlon, or cycling events) — worth checking before any competition rather than assuming an automatic exemption.
MythSince the substance was studied in the Russian space program, its safety and efficacy are confirmed to a high scientific standard.
FactHistorical use in a specific, specialized program isn't equivalent to passing through the standard, multi-stage clinical trial process required by Western regulatory agencies — most available literature is still rodent studies, not controlled clinical trials in humans.
MythSince phenylpiracetam is a racemic mixture, both its components act the same way.
FactA study comparing both enantiomers in mice found that the memory effect in the passive avoidance test occurred only with the R-enantiomer, while the S-enantiomer showed no activity in the same test — suggesting the racemic form may not fully exploit the potential described in single-enantiomer studies.
Forms & variants
Phenylpiracetam comes in several forms that differ in bioavailability and use case — the form you pick genuinely matters for how effective the supplementation is.
Phenotropil (pharmaceutical preparation, Russia)
A registered prescription drug available in the Russian market, as a racemic mixture of R and S enantiomers, manufactured under regulatory control appropriate for drugs.
Best for: Patients in Russia qualified by a doctor for neurological rehabilitation or treatment of attention disorders
Phenylpiracetam as a 'research chemical' (Western market)
Powder or capsules sold outside the drug registration system, without external quality, purity, or content control — and without exemption from anti-doping detection risk.
Best for: Not a form that can be considered safe or legal by default for athletes or people considering off-label use
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Practice
Frequently asked questions
Yes — phenylpiracetam (under the names fonturacetam, 4-phenylpiracetam, or carphedon) is on WADA's prohibited substances list in category S6 (non-specified stimulants), in effect both in and out of competition. The ban has been in place since 1998 and is consistently maintained on each annually updated list.
It may — WADA and national anti-doping agency rules apply to many amateur athletes competing in events governed by these regulations, not just professionals. It's worth verifying before a specific competition rather than assuming an automatic exemption for non-professionals.
It isn't a registered drug or a legal dietary supplement ingredient in Poland or the EU. It functions outside the regulatory system as an unregulated 'research chemical,' meaning no external control over quality, purity, or the actual content of the substance in a sold product.
Very little — practically all available scientific literature consists of animal studies, mainly mice and rats, assessing locomotor activity, depression-like behaviors, and memory in aversion tests. There are no published, well-controlled clinical trials in healthy adult humans confirming these effects in practice.
Phenylpiracetam is piracetam with an added phenyl group, which according to preclinical data gives it stronger psychostimulant action, including a possible effect on the dopamine transporter (attributed to the S-enantiomer) absent from classic piracetam's profile. These differences also mean a separate, more restrictive legal and anti-doping status than piracetam, which isn't banned by WADA.
Not fully — a study comparing both enantiomers in mice found that memory improvement in the passive avoidance test occurred only with the R-enantiomer, even at a low dose, while the S-enantiomer showed no activity in the same test, despite comparable brain concentrations in the tested animals.
Dosage & timing
Typical dose
In Russian clinical practice (Phenotropil): usually 100–200 mg once daily in the morning; dosing in informal, uncontrolled sources varies more widely, with no clearly established, safe upper limit confirmed by studies in healthy humans
Form
Tablets (Russian pharmaceutical preparation) or powder/capsules sold as a 'research chemical' outside Russia, without external quality control
The substance is banned by WADA for anyone subject to anti-doping testing, regardless of dose or stated purpose of use.
Best times to take it
- In the morning — due to reported insomnia risk when taken later in the day, similar to other stimulant substances
- A single daily dose in Russian clinical practice, not multiple doses throughout the day
Safety
Side effects & contraindications
Possible side effects
Insomnia and agitation, especially when taken later in the day — reported more often than with classic piracetam
Headaches and irritability at higher doses, in informal user reports
Elevated blood pressure and heart rate — theoretically plausible given the reported effect on the dopaminergic system, though systematically unstudied in humans
No described long-term safety profile — practically no controlled clinical trials in humans at all, not just long-term ones
Unknown actual content and purity of products sold as 'phenylpiracetam' outside the Russian pharmaceutical market
Contraindications
Athletes subject to any form of anti-doping testing (WADA or national anti-doping agencies) — the substance is banned regardless of the stated purpose of use
Pregnancy and breastfeeding — no safety data of any kind
Cardiovascular disease, hypertension, arrhythmias — due to a theoretical, clinically unconfirmed effect on the dopaminergic system in humans
Children and adolescents — no studies in this population in the West
Interactions
Other psychostimulant substances (high-dose caffeine, modafinil, amphetamine) — theoretical risk of cumulative stimulant effect and cardiovascular risk
Medications affecting the dopaminergic system (some antipsychotics, Parkinson's drugs) — no systematic interaction studies, theoretical risk of altered drug action
Alcohol — no substance-specific data, general caution warranted when combining with understudied psychoactive substances
Is it worth taking?
Who it's for
- There's no well-established target group in Western markets, where the substance isn't an approved drug or legal supplement
- In Russia: patients in neurological rehabilitation or with attention disorders, qualified by a doctor
- Definitely not for athletes subject to any form of anti-doping testing — the substance has been banned by WADA since 1998
Not for
- Athletes subject to any form of anti-doping testing (WADA or national anti-doping agencies) — the substance is banned regardless of the stated purpose of use
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding — no safety data of any kind
- Cardiovascular disease, hypertension, arrhythmias — due to a theoretical, clinically unconfirmed effect on the dopaminergic system in humans
- Children and adolescents — no studies in this population in the West
Evidence
Worth knowing
Phenylpiracetam (as carphedon) was the first nootropic banned in Olympic sport, back in 1998 — the ban remains in effect today on WADA's list under category S6.
The substance is a registered prescription drug only in Russia, under the brand name Phenotropil.
Mouse studies suggest the memory effect may be specific to the R-enantiomer, while the clinically used form is a racemic mixture of both enantiomers.
The substance was originally developed as part of the Russian space program, intended to increase cosmonauts' resistance to stress and sleep deprivation.
Studies
R-phenotropil improved passive avoidance test results already at a dose of 1 mg/kg, while S-phenotropil showed no activity in the same memory test, despite comparable brain concentrations of both enantiomers in the tested animals.
Zvejniece L et al., Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology, 2011
Investigation into stereoselective pharmacological activity of phenotropil
Early-stage evidenceZvejniece L, Svalbe B, Veinberg G, Grinberga S, Vorona M, Kalvinsh I, Dambrova M · Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology · 2011
A mouse study comparing the R and S enantiomers of phenotropil found that memory improvement in the passive avoidance test occurred only with the R-enantiomer (already at a 1 mg/kg dose), while the S-enantiomer showed no activity in this test despite comparable brain concentrations — both enantiomers showed antidepressant-like and locomotor-increasing activity, though at different doses.
View studyPsychoimmunomodulatory effect of phenotropil in animals with immune stress
Early-stage evidenceSamotrueva MA, et al. · Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine · 2011
A study in rats with lipopolysaccharide-induced immune stress found that phenotropil prevented some of the behavioral changes (reduced locomotor activity, increased anxiety) associated with immune stress — a study in rodents in a specific immune-stress model, not a study of cognitive effects in healthy animals or humans.
View studySources & bibliography
The PubMed identifiers in this knowledge base were checked against NCBI records (October 2026). If you spot an error in a source, please let us know via the contact form.
Compare with similar entries
About the authors of this entry
Author
Julia WiśniewskaEditor, Neurohacking & Sleep
Julia studied cognitive neuroscience planning an academic career, but partway through her PhD she realized she cared more about explaining research than running it. She started a podcast on sleep optimization — first for a handful of friends, now followed regularly by tens of thousands of listeners — and that podcast opened the door to writing for VitMode. She specializes in chronobiology, nootropics and recovery protocols, and her pieces often start from a question she asked herself during her own sleep experiments — including one memorable month living on a 28-hour "day," which she doesn't recommend anyone repeat. Off the clock, she sleeps surprisingly little for someone who writes about it professionally, and she's the first to laugh about it.
96 publications on this site
Medical review
dr Marek WójcikPsychiatrist
Marek specializes in psychiatry and spent most of his career at the intersection of psychiatry and sleep medicine, watching how often mood disorders and sleep problems feed each other — and how treating them separately tends to work worse than treating them together. Julia talked him into joining, having met him while both were working on the topic of insomnia: him from the clinical side, her from chronobiology. He reviews content on how supplements and lifestyle affect mood, stress and cognitive function, always underlining the difference between easing a symptom and treating its cause, and flagging when a topic goes beyond what's safe to handle on your own. He believes the biggest risk in popular mental-health content isn't too little information but too much of it with no sense of priority — and that's the hierarchy he tries to bring to his reviews.
33 publications on this site
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Comments (2)
- KW
Kasia W. 2 weeks ago
Very clearly explained, especially the interactions section — I hadn't seen it laid out this well anywhere else.
- MT
Marek T. a month ago
Are you planning to update this with the newest study from this year? I saw an interesting meta-analysis.