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Dipeptide derived compoundLimited humanNot FDA approved

Noopept

N-phenylacetyl-L-prolylglycine ethyl ester

Last reviewed October 27, 2026 · 24 sources · Written for general readers · Compare with another compound →

The bottom line

Noopept is a prescription memory drug in Russia, backed by a handful of small Russian studies in patients that did not use a placebo group. No study has tested whether it sharpens memory or focus in healthy people. FDA has warned US sellers that it is an unapproved drug, not a dietary supplement, and lab tests often find wrong amounts in products sold online.

Where the evidence stands

What it is

Noopept, also called omberacetam or GVS-111, is a small lab made molecule built from two amino acids, proline and glycine, with chemical groups added.[1] Researchers describe it as a dipeptide relative of piracetam, an older memory drug.[2]

It is a prescription medicine in Russia. Drug control labs in Europe and Australia found that it is not authorized for human use in any of the countries where they seized it.[3]

In the US it is sold online as a nootropic, a term for products claimed to boost thinking. FDA has said these products are not dietary supplements.[4] A 2021 lab study of US brain supplements found omberacetam in products, sometimes at about four times the amount typically used as a medicine.[5]

Name
Noopept (N-phenylacetyl-L-prolylglycine ethyl ester)
Other names
omberacetam, GVS-111
Type
Dipeptide derived compound
CAS number
157115-85-0
Formula
C17H22N2O4
Molecular weight
About 318.4 g/mol

What it does in the body

Noopept is not made by the body. In rats it is quickly broken down, and one of its breakdown products, cycloprolylglycine, reaches the blood and brain and is reported to share its memory effects.[6] Its proposed actions include raising nerve growth factors and switching on HIF-1, a protein cells use to cope with low oxygen.[7][8]

This is the biology, area by area. A change measured in the body, like a higher blood level, does not always mean a person feels a benefit. The claims check below covers that.

Brain growth factors

Seen in animals

In rats, a single dose raised the genetic messages for NGF and BDNF, two proteins that support nerve cells, in the hippocampus, and 28 days of dosing gave a small BDNF rise in the brain's outer layer.[7] These growth factors have not been measured in people taking it.

Cell stress response

Lab finding

In human derived cells in the lab, noopept raised the activity of HIF-1 and no other of nine gene switches tested, probably by blocking the enzyme that normally breaks HIF-1 down. Piracetam had no such effect.[8] It did not make cells divide faster.[9]

Nerve cell protection

Lab finding

In human brain cells grown in a dish, it protected against damage from hydrogen peroxide better than piracetam, and it improved survival of cells from Down syndrome brain tissue.[10] In a cell model of Alzheimer's damage, it reduced cell death and abnormal tau.[2]

Brain waves

Measured in people

In Russian patients with mild thinking problems after head injury or blood vessel disease, noopept raised alpha and beta brain waves and lowered slow delta waves, a pattern the authors read as activating. Changes were clearer in blood vessel disease.[11] This is a measured change, not proof of better thinking.

How the body handles it

Measured in people

People clear noopept more slowly than rats, and levels vary a lot from person to person.[12]

Developing brain

Seen in animals

Rats given noopept by injection during their first weeks of life had disturbed learning as adults, while piracetam affected only males.[13] No one has studied exposure in pregnancy or childhood in people.

How it works

How noopept works in people is not known. Animal and cell studies point to several possible effects.

  • In rats, a single dose raised the genetic messages for NGF and BDNF, two proteins that support nerve cells, in the hippocampus, a memory center of the brain.[7]
  • In rat cells exposed to amyloid beta, the protein that forms Alzheimer's plaques, noopept reduced cell death, oxidative stress and abnormal tau.[2]
  • In human derived cells, it switched on HIF-1, a protein that helps cells cope with low oxygen.[8]
  • Rats break it down very quickly, while people clear it more slowly and with large differences from person to person.[12]

These are mostly lab and animal findings, so whether the same things happen in human brains is unknown.

What the research shows

We keep animal and human evidence apart. A result in animals is a reason to study something in people, not proof that it works in people.

Animal and lab studies

Protective effects in rats, mice and lab cells

  • With 28 days of dosing, rats showed a small rise in BDNF in the brain's outer layer and no sign of tolerance.[7]
  • In mice with damage that mimics some Alzheimer changes, three weeks of noopept restored spatial memory in a water maze test.[14]
  • In a cell model of Alzheimer's damage, pretreatment with noopept improved cell survival, protected mitochondria and lowered calcium overload.[2]
  • In human brain cells in a dish, it protected against oxidative damage at very low concentrations and outperformed piracetam.[10]
  • In rats treated during the first weeks of life, noopept disturbed learning in adulthood, an unexpected harmful result.[13]

Limit: Rat, mouse and cell results do not show that noopept improves memory in people.

Human studies

A few small Russian studies in patients, none against placebo

  • Thinking problems from blood vessel disease: a 2022 Russian trial randomly assigned 150 adults to omberacetam or one of two other drugs, on top of usual care, for 45 days. Scores on a thinking test (MoCA) rose more with omberacetam.[15]
  • In that trial, anxiety, tiredness and sleep improved in all three groups, slightly less with omberacetam. About four months after stopping, the gain in thinking scores had shrunk to a small difference that was not statistically clear. There was no placebo group, a drug company funded it, and the summary called it safe without listing side effects.[15]
  • After stroke: an open study of 60 stroke patients with mild thinking problems, compared with an untreated group, reported better thinking test scores after two months of noopept. Patients knew they were treated, and safety was described only in general terms.[16]
  • Memory problems after vascular disease or head injury: Russian studies compared noopept with piracetam, an older drug, rather than with a placebo.[17] A related study measured brain waves and described changes the authors read as activating and calming, with clearer effects in vascular disease than after head injury.[11]
  • Older teachers: a Russian study reported that two weeks of head and neck self massage plus noopept improved work performance more than noopept alone, with effects fading by about three months. It gave no numbers or group sizes and had no placebo.[18]
  • Tuberculosis patients: in 60 people starting tuberculosis treatment, the 30 who also got noopept in the first month reported less anxiety and fewer nerve and heart side effects from their tuberculosis drugs. The summary does not describe the comparison group or blinding.[19]
  • Healthy volunteers: a Russian study of people aged 20 to 24 in a climate chamber reported that noopept helped them adapt to cold and heat and raised physical work capacity in heat. Group sizes and blinding are not reported.[20]
  • How people process it: a Russian study found people clear noopept more slowly than rats, with large differences between individuals.[12]
  • We found no placebo controlled trial of noopept in any group, and no study testing memory or focus in healthy people.

Limit: Human studies are few, short, mostly from Russia and lack placebo groups, so real benefits and side effects in people are uncertain.

Claims check

The most common claims about this compound, and what studies actually found. Verdicts rate the evidence, not whether you should use it.

Improves memory in people with thinking problems

Mixed results

In a 45 day trial of 150 adults with vascular thinking problems, omberacetam raised MoCA scores more than two other drugs, but the edge faded within about four months after stopping.[15] An open study of 60 stroke patients also reported better test scores at two months.[16] None of these studies used a placebo, so expectation may explain part of the effect.

Sharpens focus and brainpower in healthy people

Not tested

Every memory study we found was done in patients with brain disease or injury.[15][17] No published study has tested whether noopept improves memory, focus or study performance in healthy people.

Eases anxiety and lifts mood

Mixed results

In 60 tuberculosis patients, those given noopept reported less anxiety, but the design is poorly described.[19] In the 150 person 2022 trial, anxiety improved in all groups and slightly less with omberacetam than with the comparison drugs.[15] Brain wave findings were read as calming, but that is not a measured mood benefit.[11]

Protects the brain from Alzheimer's and aging

Only in animals

Protection has been shown only in cells and rodents: noopept reduced damage in cells exposed to amyloid beta and in human brain cells under oxidative stress, and restored maze memory in mice with Alzheimer like damage.[2][10][14] No human study has tested it for preventing dementia.

Boosts BDNF and nerve growth factors

Only in animals

Rats given noopept had higher NGF and BDNF messages in the hippocampus, and a small BDNF rise after 28 days.[7] These growth factors have not been measured in people taking it.

Fights fatigue and boosts energy

Mixed results

Tiredness improved in all three groups of the 2022 trial, not more with omberacetam.[15] A Russian study in young volunteers reported better work capacity in heat, but it gave few details.[20] No placebo controlled study has tested energy.

Improves work performance

Mixed results

A Russian study of older teachers reported better work performance when noopept was combined with self massage, but it gave no numbers and had no placebo.[18] The heat chamber study in young volunteers also lacked reported controls.[20]

Known risks and side effects

  • Unapproved drug in the US. FDA warning letters in 2019 and 2022 said noopept products sold with health claims are unapproved new drugs.[4][21]
  • Wrong amounts in products. In a 2021 US lab study, 9 of 12 brain supplements that listed drug amounts were inaccurate, and some held several unlisted drugs.[5] European and Australian labs often found noopept in seized powders and falsified medicines.[3]
  • Thin safety data. Human studies are few, short and lack placebo groups, and their summaries rarely list side effects, so rare or long term harms are unknown.[15][16]
  • Unknown effects on young brains. In rats, exposure during early life disturbed learning in adulthood.[13] It has not been studied in pregnancy, children or teens.
  • Not FDA reviewed. Noopept is not on FDA's lists of substances nominated for compounding, so no US pharmacy can make a checked version of it.[22]

Regulatory status

Today: Noopept is not approved by FDA. FDA has treated noopept products sold in the US as unapproved new drugs and has said they are not dietary supplements.[4][21] It is not on FDA's May 2026 compounding nomination list.[22] It is a prescription medicine in Russia.[3] The 2026 and 2027 WADA lists do not name it.[23][24]

  1. FDA warning letter to an online nootropics seller says noopept products are not dietary supplements and are unapproved new drugs.[4]
  2. A US lab study finds omberacetam and other unapproved drugs in brain supplements, often with labels that do not match the contents.[5]
  3. Another FDA warning letter lists noopept among unapproved new drugs sold with disease claims.[21]
  4. European and Australian drug control labs report noopept as the racetam they found most often in seized products.[3]
  5. The 2027 WADA list takes effect. It does not name noopept.[24]

Sources

  1. U.S. FDA Global Substance Registration System. Omberacetam (UNII 4QBJ98683M). Names include Noopept and GVS-111; CAS 157115-85-0. FDA GSRS
  2. Ostrovskaya RU, Vakhitova YV, Kuzmina USh, et al. Neuroprotective effect of novel cognitive enhancer noopept on AD-related cellular model involves the attenuation of apoptosis and tau hyperphosphorylation. J Biomed Sci. 2014;21(1):74. PMID 25096780
  3. Vanhee C, Deconinck E, George M, et al. The Occurrence of Illicit Smart Drugs or Nootropics in Europe and Australia and Their Associated Dangers: Results from a Market Surveillance Study by 12 Official Medicines Control Laboratories. J Xenobiot. 2025;15(3):88. PMID 40558871
  4. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Warning letter to an online nootropics seller (MARCS-CMS 557887). February 2019. FDA warning letter
  5. Cohen PA, Avula B, Wang YH, Zakharevich I, Khan I. Five Unapproved Drugs Found in Cognitive Enhancement Supplements. Neurol Clin Pract. 2021;11(3):e303-e307. PMID 34484905
  6. Boyko SS, Zherdev VP, Shevchenko RV. [Pharmacokinetics of noopept and its active metabolite cycloprolyl glycine in rats]. Biomed Khim. 2018;64(5):455-458. PMID 30378564
  7. Ostrovskaya RU, Gudasheva TA, Zaplina AP, et al. Noopept stimulates the expression of NGF and BDNF in rat hippocampus. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2008;146(3):334-337. PMID 19240853
  8. Vakhitova YV, Sadovnikov SV, Borisevich SS, Ostrovskaya RU, Gudasheva TA, Seredenin SB. Molecular Mechanism Underlying the Action of Substituted Pro-Gly Dipeptide Noopept. Acta Naturae. 2016;8(1):82-89. PMID 27099787
  9. Zainullina LF, Ivanova TV, Ostrovskaya RU, Gudasheva TA, Vakhitova YV, Seredenin SB. Drug with Neuroprotective Properties Noopept Does Not Stimulate Cell Proliferation. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2019;166(4):466-468. PMID 30788746
  10. Pelsman A, Hoyo-Vadillo C, Gudasheva TA, Seredenin SB, Ostrovskaya RU, Busciglio J. GVS-111 prevents oxidative damage and apoptosis in normal and Down's syndrome human cortical neurons. Int J Dev Neurosci. 2003;21(3):117-124. PMID 12711349
  11. Bochkarev VK, Teleshova ES, Siuniakov SA, Davydova DV, Neznamov GG. Clinical and electroencephalographic characteristic of noopept in patients with mild cognitive impairment of posttraumatic and vascular origin. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2008;108(11):47-54. PMID 19008801
  12. Boĭko SS, Korotkov SA, Zherdev VP, Gudasheva TA, Ostrovskaia RU, Voronina TA. Interspecies differences of noopept pharmacokinetics. Eksp Klin Farmakol. 2004;67(1):40-43. PMID 15079908
  13. Trofimov SS, Voronina TA, Guzevatykh LS. Early postnatal effects of noopept and piracetam on declarative and procedural memory of adult male and female rats. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2005;139(6):683-687. PMID 16224581
  14. Ostrovskaya RU, Gruden MA, Bobkova NA, Sewell RD, Gudasheva TA, Samokhin AN, et al. The nootropic and neuroprotective proline-containing dipeptide noopept restores spatial memory and increases immunoreactivity to amyloid in an Alzheimer's disease model. J Psychopharmacol. 2007;21(6):611-619. PMID 17092975
  15. Dadasheva MN, Gorenkov RV, Kruglov VA, Dadasheva KN, Lebedeva DI. Possibilities of nootropic drugs in non-demented patients with vascular cognitive disorders. Neurology, Neuropsychiatry, Psychosomatics. 2022;14(2):49-55. DOI 10.14412/2074-2711-2022-2-49-55
  16. Amelin AV, Iliukhina AIu, Shmonin AA. Noopept in the treatment of mild cognitive impairment in patients with stroke. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2011;111(10 Pt 1):44-46. PMID 22500312
  17. Neznamov GG, Teleshova ES. Comparative studies of Noopept and piracetam in the treatment of patients with mild cognitive disorders in organic brain diseases of vascular and traumatic origin. Neurosci Behav Physiol. 2009;39(3):311-321. PMID 19234797
  18. Lysenko AV, Lysenko DS, Buinov LG, Sorokina LA. [The influence of self-massage combined with drug Noopept on the professional performance of teachers older]. Adv Gerontol. 2018;31(6):996-1001. PMID 30877834
  19. Mordyk AV, Lysov AV, Kondria AV, Gol'dzon MA, Khlebova NV. Prevention of neuro- and cardiotoxic side effects of tuberculosis chemotherapy with noopept. Klin Med (Mosk). 2009;87(5):59-62. PMID 19565831
  20. Shabanov PD, Ganapol'skiĭ VP, Aleksandrov PV. Meteoadaptogenic properties of peptide drugs in healthy volunteers. Eksp Klin Farmakol. 2007;70(6):41-47. PMID 18318195
  21. U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Warning letter to a supplement seller (MARCS-CMS 620285). February 4, 2022. FDA warning letter
  22. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Bulk Drug Substances Nominated for Use in Compounding Under Section 503A of the FD&C Act (category lists). Updated May 14, 2026. FDA category list
  23. World Anti-Doping Agency. World Anti-Doping Code International Standard: Prohibited List 2026. In force January 1, 2026. WADA 2026 List
  24. World Anti-Doping Agency. World Anti-Doping Code International Standard: Prohibited List 2027. Approved September 10, 2026; in force January 1, 2027. WADA 2027 List
Medical disclaimer

This page is educational information only. It is not medical advice and does not replace care from a licensed medical provider. Do not use this page to decide whether to take any substance. Talk to a licensed medical provider first.

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