Citicoline
About
Citicoline belongs to a group of medications called ‘psychostimulants’ used to treat stroke, head trauma or injury, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and glaucoma. A stroke occurs due to insufficient blood supply to the brain. Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive age-related memory loss. Parkinson’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects movement. Glaucoma is an eye problem that occurs due to damage to the optic nerve, responsible for vision.
Citicoline contains 'Citicoline’, a psychostimulant or nootropic used to nourish and minimize damage to the nerve cells in various conditions associated with the brain. It increases the activity of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). It regenerates nerve cells by promoting the synthesis of phospholipids (forms neuronal membrane) in the brain. It improves learning, memory, judging, and thinking processes. It can improve recovery in patients with disturbance in consciousness in patients with head injury or any other problems associated with the brain and who underwent surgery.
You may experience some side effects such as gastrointestinal disturbances, including nausea, constipation or diarrhoea, abdominal pain, headache, blurred vision, insomnia (trouble sleeping), hypotension (decrease in blood pressure), increased or decreased heart rate, and restlessness. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention. However, if the symptoms persist or get worsen, consult a doctor immediately.
Before taking the Citicoline, let your doctor know about all your allergic or hypersensitivity reactions to medicines or food. Inform your doctor if you are suffering from kidney, liver, or heart disease. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please tell your doctor so that your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and all the medicines you are taking before taking Citicoline to rule out any side effects.
Uses of Citicoline
Medicinal Benefits
Citicoline contains 'Citicoline,' which belongs to the class of ‘psychostimulants.’ It is used to promote brain health. It is used to treat stroke, head injury, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and glaucoma. It protects the brain from neurotoxicity (damage to the brain). It acts as a precursor for phospholipids (present in the outer membrane of the nerve cell) and also stimulates phospholipid synthesis in the brain. It also stimulates blood flow and oxygen consumption in the brain. This promotes brain activity and improves cognition, memory, and thinking capabilities in patients with progressive brain disorders. It accelerates the recovery rate in patients with neurological diseases (diseases affecting the brain).
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Citicoline
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Insomnia (trouble sleeping)
- Hypotension (decrease in blood pressure)
- Blurred vision
- Increase or decrease in heart rate
- Restlessness
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Before taking the Citicoline, let your doctor know about all your allergic or hypersensitivity reactions to medicines or food. Inform your doctor if you are suffering from kidney, liver, or heart disease. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please tell your doctor so that your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and all the medicines you are taking before taking Citicoline to rule out any side effects.
Drug Interactions
Drug-drug interactions: Citicoline alter the effect of antiparkinsonian drugs (levodopa, carbidopa, and entacapone) when given with it. The effectiveness of Citicoline is altered when given with another nootropic (meclofenoxate).
Drug-food interactions: No interactions found.
Drug-disease interactions: No interactions found.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionCiticoline may or may not interact with alcohol. However, alcohol worsens neurological conditions. So, it is better to avoid consuming alcohol.
Pregnancy
cautionYou should not take Citicoline during pregnancy unless prescribed by a doctor. The safety of this medicine for use during pregnancy has not been established.
Breast Feeding
cautionA breastfeeding mother should not take Citicoline unless prescribed by a doctor.
Driving
cautionCiticoline may cause blurred vision and a decrease in blood pressure. So, it is recommended to be cautious to drive or operate heavy machinery after taking Citicoline.
Liver
cautionLimited information was available for the use of Citicoline in patients suffering from liver impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding using Citicoline in patients with liver impairment. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Kidney
cautionLimited information was available for the use of Citicoline in patients suffering from kidney impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding using Citicoline in patients with kidney impairment. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Children
cautionCiticoline is not used in children below 12 years of age unless prescribed by a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Include more green, leafy vegetables and other non-starchy vegetables (tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.) in your diet.
- Eat strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and nuts as they reduce inflammation in the brain.
- Use olive oil for cooking purposes. It contains healthy fats that promote brain health.
- Eat whole grains such as oats, quinoa, and brown rice that are rich in nutrients.
- Opt for fish oil or eat fish (preferably fatty fish like salmon, sardines, trout, and tuna) at least once a week. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids essential for the brain's normal functioning.
- Avoid fried, processed, and packed foods.
- Quit alcohol intake and smoking.
- Exercise regularly.
Special Advise
- A mini-mental state examination (MMSE) may be performed to measure the patient's cognitive status (gaining knowledge and comprehension ability). It is a 30-point questionnaire in which 24 or more points indicate normal cognition.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Stroke: Stroke, also called cerebrovascular (CV) stroke, occurs when there is a decreased blood supply to the brain due to the presence of a blood clot or leakage of blood vessels. The decrease in blood supply leads to a decrease in oxygen and nutrients resulting in the death of brain cells. This condition leads to paralysis of the face, arm, or leg, slurred speech, headache, and difficulty walking.
Head trauma: Brain dysfunction due to trauma or injury to the head.
Alzheimer’s disease: Alzheimer's disease is a progressive and irreversible brain disorder that occurs due to degeneration or death of brain cells. The characteristic symptom of this disease is dementia, in which patients experience a decline in thinking, behaviour, and social skills.
Parkinson’s disease: Parkinson’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that occurs due to decreased dopamine levels (a hormone responsible for motor function or movements) in the brain. The symptoms include tremors, impaired balance, difficulty speaking, decreased movement, and change in writing.
Glaucoma: Glaucoma occurs due to damage to the optic nerve, which is responsible for vision. Abnormal high pressure in the eye causes damage to the optic nerve. This condition may progress to blindness if left untreated.
FAQs
Citicoline contains citicoline which is a precursor for phospholipids (forms the outer layer of nerve cells). It also stimulates phospholipid synthesis in the brain, thus protecting nerve cells or neurons. It increases brain activity and improves symptoms in patients with neurological diseases.
Citicoline can cause insomnia (sleeplessness). However, not everybody taking Citicoline experience this side-effect.
Citicoline is possibly safe and may not show any toxic side effects. It is usually well-tolerated in patients when given in therapeutic doses (dose required to treat the disease).
Citicoline can be taken for the long-term when advised by a doctor. It can considerably improve memory, thinking, and behavioral skills when taken long-term in patients with brain disorders.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that occurs due to a decrease in dopamine (a hormone responsible for motor function or movements) levels in the brain. The symptoms include tremors, impaired balance, difficulty speaking, decreased movement, and change in writing.
Citicoline is chemically identical to the cytidine-diphosphocholine (CDP-choline). CDP-choline is naturally present in the body, whereas citicoline is available as a dietary supplement.
