Citicoline Tablets

Citicoline Tablets come with the brand name “CITVAST 500” and belong 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.

This medicine 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.

Medical Benefits of Citicoline Tablets

• 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 

• Take Citicoline Tablets with or without food as advised by a doctor.
• Swallow it with a full glass of water.
• Do not crush, chew or break it.
• Your doctor will advise you how often you take your tablets on the basis of your medical condition. 

Storage 

• Store in a cool and dry place 
• Keep it away from sunlight.
• Keep out of the reach of children.

Precautions 

• This composition may alter the effect of antiparkinsonian drugs (levodopa, carbidopa, and entacapone) when given with it.
• A breastfeeding mother should not take the tablet unless prescribed by a doctor.
• It is not used in children below 12 years of age unless prescribed by a doctor.
• Citicoline Tablets 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 it.

Side Effects 

• Nausea
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Insomnia (trouble sleeping)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does this tablet keep you awake?

It can cause insomnia (sleeplessness). However, not everybody taking this tablet experiences this side effect.

Is it safe to take this medicine?

It 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).

Can this medication be taken for the long term?

It 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.

What is Parkinson’s disease?

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.

Are choline and citicoline the same thing?

Citicoline is chemically identical to the cytidine-phosphocholine (CDP-choline). CDP-choline is naturally present in the body, whereas citicoline is available as a dietary supplement.