Compound or practice · Supplement
Vinpocetine
A cerebral-blood-flow nootropic used as a drug abroad, unproven for healthy cognition and unsafe in pregnancy.
- Overall grade
- Grade D
- Last revised
- 1
- graded outcome
- 0
- references listed
A structured monograph in Prometheus's bundled library. Its grades are the monograph's own reading of the evidence, not a peer-reviewed review.
1 at grade D — 1 graded row
What is known
Each outcome with its grade (how strong the evidence is, A to D), the size of the effect where the entry records one, and how often studies agree.
- Healthy cognitionEvidence grade D
No good evidence
Triviallow
What is uncertain
Read off the same rows as above. Nothing here is added that the entry does not itself record.
- Thin evidence: Healthy cognition (grade D).
The evidence in words
What it is
Vinpocetine is a synthetic derivative of a periwinkle alkaloid, a prescription drug in some countries and a supplement in others.
How it works
It increases cerebral blood flow and has anticonvulsant and neuroprotective actions in models.
What the evidence shows
Some evidence in cerebrovascular cognitive impairment; no good evidence for enhancing healthy cognition. Regulators have warned it can harm a developing fetus, so it should be avoided in pregnancy/those who could become pregnant.
How to use it
Not recommended for healthy cognition; medical use varies by country.
Safety & interactions
Avoid in pregnancy; mild antiplatelet and blood-pressure effects.
Bottom line
A drug masquerading as a supplement with no healthy-brain benefit and a pregnancy hazard. Skip it.
How it is used
As the entry records it, from the studies it summarises. Not a recommendation for you — doses that suit a trial population may not suit you.
- n/a
- Not recommended; avoid in pregnancy.
Related reading
Entries that share this one's tags or conditions.
- Bacopa MonnieriThe nootropic that actually improves memory — but slowly, over 8–12 weeks, not on the day you take it.Evidence grade B
- Citicoline (CDP-Choline)A choline source with modest attention and memory data — the more evidence-backed of the popular cholinergics.Evidence grade C
- PramiracetamA potent racetam with intriguing older memory data but thin, dated human evidence.Evidence grade D
- Vinpocetine for Healthy cognitionEvidence grade D — No good evidenceEvidence grade D
Sources
This entry lists no references of its own.
Last revised . A grade is this entry's reading of the evidence, not medical advice.