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Phenylpiracetam Hydrazide
Also known as Fonturacetam, a derivative of phenylpiracetam where the amide group is replaced with a hydrazide - offering similar dopaminergic and glutamatergic cognitive enhancement with a potentially distinct receptor affinity profile, developed as phenylpiracetam became harder to source.
Benefits
What is Phenylpiracetam Hydrazide?
Phenylpiracetam hydrazide (also known as Fonturacetam hydrazide) is a structural analogue of phenylpiracetam (Phenotropil) in which the terminal amide group (-CONH2) of the piracetam backbone is replaced with a hydrazide group (-CONHNH2). This modification emerged in the nootropics market partly as a response to the discontinuation of Phenotropil production by the Russian pharmaceutical company Valenta Pharm in 2017, which left a significant gap in supply for one of the most popular racetam-class cognitive enhancers. The hydrazide derivative quickly gained popularity among nootropic users seeking a functional replacement with similar cognitive and psychostimulatory effects.
While no peer-reviewed clinical trials have been published specifically on phenylpiracetam hydrazide, its pharmacological profile is expected to overlap substantially with that of phenylpiracetam based on structural similarity. Phenylpiracetam itself has a robust evidence base: a 2011 study by Zvejniece et al. in Basic and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology demonstrated that phenylpiracetam binds to both nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and glutamate receptors, with the R-enantiomer primarily responsible for cognitive effects and the S-enantiomer for anxiolytic properties. Additional research by Firstova et al. (2011) in Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine showed that phenylpiracetam increases dopamine D1, D2, and D3 receptor density in the striatum following chronic administration. The hydrazide modification may alter absorption kinetics, metabolic stability, and potentially receptor affinity profiles compared to the parent compound, though these differences have not been formally characterised in published research.
- Dopamine receptor modulation: Like phenylpiracetam, expected to increase dopamine receptor density (D1, D2, D3) in the striatum with repeated use, enhancing motivation, reward sensitivity, and executive function
- Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor binding: Binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, supporting attentional processes, working memory, and the speed of information processing
- Glutamate system enhancement: Modulates AMPA and NMDA receptor signalling, facilitating long-term potentiation and synaptic plasticity underlying learning and memory consolidation
- Psychostimulant properties: Provides mild stimulatory effects without the jitteriness of traditional stimulants, likely through combined dopaminergic and noradrenergic modulation rather than catecholamine release
- Hydrazide group effects: The replacement of the amide with a hydrazide group may alter metabolic pathways and receptor binding affinities, potentially conferring subtle differences in duration of action and cognitive effect profile compared to standard phenylpiracetam
- Typical dose: 50-100 mg per day, similar to standard phenylpiracetam dosing, taken in the morning or early afternoon
- Starting dose: 50 mg to assess individual response, as sensitivity varies considerably between individuals
- Maximum daily dose: 200 mg per day (often split into two 100 mg doses), though most users find 50-100 mg sufficient
- Timing: Best taken in the morning or early afternoon due to stimulatory effects. Avoid evening dosing to prevent insomnia
- Cycling: Like phenylpiracetam, tolerance may develop with daily use. Common cycling protocols include 3-4 days on and 3-4 days off, or use only on cognitively demanding days
- Limited research: No published clinical trials exist specifically for phenylpiracetam hydrazide. Safety is inferred from phenylpiracetam research and community experience
- Expected side effects: Based on phenylpiracetam data, potential side effects include insomnia, irritability, headache, and overstimulation, particularly at higher doses or with late-day dosing
- Tolerance development: Tolerance to the stimulatory and cognitive-enhancing effects is commonly reported with daily use, necessitating cycling protocols
- WADA banned substance: Phenylpiracetam is on the World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited list. Athletes should be aware that the hydrazide derivative may trigger similar issues in competitive testing
- Drug interactions: Use caution when combining with other stimulants, dopaminergic agents, or racetams. Avoid stacking with MAO inhibitors due to potential for excessive catecholamine elevation
Natural Sources & Forms
- Nootropic vendors: Widely available from nootropic supplement companies as capsules or powder, typically in 50 mg or 100 mg units
- Powder form: Available as a water-soluble powder suitable for precise dosing with a milligram scale
- No pharmaceutical production: Unlike original phenylpiracetam (which was manufactured as Phenotropil), the hydrazide derivative has never been produced by a pharmaceutical company
- Quality variation: As an unregulated compound, quality and purity vary between vendors. Third-party certificates of analysis should be verified before purchase
Frequently Asked Questions
Also known as Fonturacetam, a derivative of phenylpiracetam where the amide group is replaced with a hydrazide - offering similar dopaminergic and glutamatergic cognitive enhancement with a potentially distinct receptor affinity profile, developed as phenylpiracetam became harder to source.
The key benefits of Phenylpiracetam Hydrazide include: Cognitive Enhancement, Creativity, Energy, Focus, Memory, Mood, Motivation.
Dopamine receptor modulation: Like phenylpiracetam, expected to increase dopamine receptor density (D1, D2, D3) in the striatum with repeated use, enhancing motivation, reward sensitivity, and executive function Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor binding: Binds to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, supporting attentional processes, working memory, and the speed of information processing Glutamate system enhancement: Modulates AMPA and NMDA receptor signalling, facilitating long-term potentiation and synaptic plasticity underlying learning and memory consolidation Psychostimulant properties: Provides mild stimulatory effects without the jitteriness of traditional stimulants, likely through combined dopaminergic and noradrenergic modulation rather than catecholamine release Hydrazide group effects: The replacement of the amide with a hydrazide group may alter metabolic pathways and receptor binding affinities, potentially conferring subtle differences in duration of action and cognitive effect profile compared to standard phenylpiracetam
Typical dose: 50-100 mg per day, similar to standard phenylpiracetam dosing, taken in the morning or early afternoon Starting dose: 50 mg to assess individual response, as sensitivity varies considerably between individuals Maximum daily dose: 200 mg per day (often split into two 100 mg doses), though most users find 50-100 mg sufficient Timing: Best taken in the morning or early afternoon due to stimulatory effects. Avoid evening dosing to prevent insomnia Cycling: Like phenylpiracetam, tolerance may develop with daily use. Common cycling protocols include 3-4 days on and 3-4 days off, or use only on cognitively demanding days
Limited research: No published clinical trials exist specifically for phenylpiracetam hydrazide. Safety is inferred from phenylpiracetam research and community experience Expected side effects: Based on phenylpiracetam data, potential side effects include insomnia, irritability, headache, and overstimulation, particularly at higher doses or with late-day dosing Tolerance development: Tolerance to the stimulatory and cognitive-enhancing effects is commonly reported with daily use, necessitating cycling protocols WADA banned substance: Phenylpiracetam is on the World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited list. Athletes should be aware that the hydrazide derivative may trigger similar issues in competitive testing Drug interactions: Use caution when combining with other stimulants, dopaminergic agents, or racetams. Avoid stacking with MAO inhibitors due to potential for excessive catecholamine elevation
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