--- title: "Nicergoline: Research & Side Effects | BodyHackGuide" url: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/compound/nicergoline description: "Nicergoline: mechanism, clinical studies & side effects." lang: en --- Skip to content Compare notes on r/BodyHackGuide (https://reddit.com/r/bodyhackguide) Compare notes with other researchers. Join r/BodyHackGuide (https://reddit.com/r/bodyhackguide) # Nicergoline Cognitive: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/wiki#cat-cognitive Status Approved in some countries outside the US (not FDA approved) Evidence Not graded on a research bench yet Nicergoline (Sermion) is a semisynthetic ergot derivative that blocks alpha1-adrenergic receptors and has been in clinical use outside the US since the 1970s for cognitive, behavioral and cerebrovascular disorders of older people. Reviewed 4 November 2026 01 Overview ## What Nicergoline is Nicergoline has no record in Drugs@FDA, while the European Medicines Agency listed nicergoline medicines in 12 European countries in 2013 and Poland's medicines register lists six nicergoline products in October 2026 (Drugs@FDA through openFDA; EMA, ergot derivatives Article 31 referral, Annex I for nicergoline; Polish Register of Medicinal Products). In 2013 the EMA concluded that the benefits of ergot derivatives, nicergoline included, no longer outweighed the risks of fibrosis and ergotism for memory and sensory problems of older people, circulation problems and migraine prevention, and those indications were removed in the EU, while dementia indications were outside the review (EMA, ergot derivatives Article 31 referral). A 2001 Cochrane review of 14 trials found some evidence of benefit on cognition and behavior in older people with mild to moderate cognitive impairment, but for the uses it reviewed the EMA judged nicergoline's efficacy data very limited and weakened by publication bias (PMID: 11687175; EMA assessment report EMA/750632/2013). ### How it works ### What nicergoline is Nicergoline is a semisynthetic ergot alkaloid derived from d-lumilysergic acid (PMID: 25712664), and chemically it is the 5-bromonicotinic acid ester of 10-methoxy-1,6-dimethylergoline-8beta-methanol (PubChem CID 34040). Pharmacia and Upjohn held the rights to produce and market nicergoline in several countries at the time of the 2001 Cochrane review (PMID: 11687175). Read the full mechanism Show less ### Alpha1-adrenergic receptor block (rat studies) In rats, nicergoline blocked alpha1-adrenergic receptors (alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonism) and was about 40 times more potent than the reference blocker prazosin in the isolated mesenteric vascular bed (pA2 11.1 against 9.5) but 20 times less potent in the aorta, which the authors read as selective block of the alpha1A subtype (PMID: 10027088). Of the metabolites tested, lumilysergol was a modest alpha1 antagonist and bromonicotinic acid had no alpha1 antagonist activity (PMID: 10027088). ### Other proposed actions A 2008 review and the EMA's 2013 assessment both list five proposed actions: vasodilation through alpha1 block, enhanced cholinergic and catecholaminergic transmission, inhibition of platelet aggregation, greater use of oxygen and glucose, and neurotrophic and antioxidant effects; the EMA wrote that nicergoline "seems to have" these actions (PMID: 18666801; EMA assessment report EMA/750632/2013). In human neuroblastoma cells, nicergoline at 1 to 10 micromolar raised release of the soluble amyloid precursor protein fragment through protein kinase C, by 150 to 200 percent over baseline (PMID: 10482351). A 2025 review describes nicergoline as a non-specific drug that acts on many targets, and it argues that activation rather than blockade of alpha1 receptors supports cognition and memory (PMID: 41155541). ### Substance P (human studies) Low secretion of substance P, a neuropeptide, is linked to swallowing problems (PMID: 21694649). In 50 people 1 to 3 months after an ischaemic stroke, serum substance P rose significantly after 4 weeks of nicergoline (p=0.021) and did not change in untreated patients (PMID: 20029189). ### Ergot derivatives and fibrosis The EMA noted that fibrosis caused by ergot derivatives is widely linked to activation of serotonin 5-HT2B receptors, but that some ergot derivatives are not 5-HT2B agonists, so other mechanisms involving 5-HT2A and 5-HT1B receptors or the serotonin transporter cannot be excluded (EMA assessment report EMA/750632/2013). A 2015 review states that nicergoline binds adrenergic, serotonergic and dopamine receptors with varying affinity and calls for more mechanistic studies on nicergoline (PMID: 25712664). ### Metabolism and pharmacokinetics (human studies) Nicergoline is rapidly hydrolysed to the alcohol metabolite MMDL, which is then N-demethylated to MDL, mainly by the liver enzyme CYP2D6 (PMID: 8971425). In 15 volunteers given a single oral dose, the five poor metabolizers of the CYP2D6 probe debrisoquine had MMDL peak levels about six times higher than the others (356 against 59 nanomoles per liter) and MDL below the limit of measurement (PMID: 8971425). In a 2012 bioequivalence study in 20 healthy volunteers, MDL peaked after about 3.3 to 3.4 hours and had a half-life of about 8.4 to 9.3 hours (PMID: 29403722). ### Studied for - Dementia and cognitive impairment - Vascular dementia - Cerebrovascular disease - Alpha-adrenergic pharmacology - Ergot alkaloid safety - Dysphagia - Drug regulation ### Benefits listed - Behavior ratings (SCAG), MMSE scores and clinical global impression in older people with mild to moderate cognitive impairment in a 2001 Cochrane review of 14 trials (PMID: 11687175) - SCAG and MMSE scores over 6 months in 136 people with multi-infarct dementia (PMID: 8997547) - Clinical global impression in an 8-week trial in 112 people with Alzheimer-type or multi-infarct dementia (PMID: 7604138) - Memory and attention test scores over 24 months in 72 older people with hypertension and white matter changes in a pilot trial (PMID: 10210912) Show 3 more Show less - Mental performance under experimental oxygen shortage in 16 healthy volunteers (PMID: 2127674) - Serum substance P after ischaemic stroke (PMID: 20029189) - Swallowing scores in an open-label pilot study with historical controls (PMID: 42355896) 02 Research Free with email ## What the research shows No research bench grades Nicergoline yet. Benches compare compounds people pair, with the evidence for each. ### Unlock the research summary Enter your email to keep reading. It is free, and it opens these sections on every compound page in this browser. - A summary of the key research - Safety and side effects - A link to the PubMed results You also get the free peptide cheat sheet by email. Unsubscribe anytime. Have an account? Sign in (https://www.bodyhackguide.co/auth) 03 Safety ## Nicergoline side effects and interactions ### Side effects #### Common - Adverse events overall about as frequent as on placebo in a 29-trial meta-analysis (PMID: 25079927) - Low blood pressure (against placebo) and hot flushes (against all comparators), slightly more frequent on nicergoline without statistical significance (PMID: 25079927) #### Serious events - Fibrosis, mainly of the lungs and pleura, in spontaneous reports reviewed by the EMA in 2013 (EMA assessment report EMA/750632/2013) - Possible ergotism, which the EMA could not rule out (EMA assessment report EMA/750632/2013) - Pleural thickening that improved slowly after stopping, in a French case series (PMID: 8793465) ### Who should not use it Contraindications There is no FDA label for nicergoline. The cautions that follow come from the EMA's 2013 review and from published studies. Read all the contraindications and cautions Show less The EMA judged nicergoline to be associated with a risk of fibrotic reactions, mainly in the lungs and pleura, after months to years of treatment (EMA assessment report EMA/750632/2013). Among spontaneous reports with nicergoline, the EMA could not rule out ergotism (symptoms of ergot poisoning, such as spasms and obstructed blood circulation) (EMA assessment report EMA/750632/2013; EMA, ergot derivatives Article 31 referral). Nicergoline blocks alpha1-adrenergic receptors (PMID: 10027088), low blood pressure was slightly more frequent than on placebo in trials (PMID: 25079927), and low blood pressure, slow heart rate and fainting are among reported cardiovascular events (PMID: 25243157). In 10 healthy volunteers, nicergoline strengthened the effect of the beta blocker propranolol on cardiac output and heart oxygen demand (PMID: 6876944). Conversion of nicergoline's metabolite MMDL to MDL depends mainly on CYP2D6, and CYP2D6 poor metabolizers did not form measurable MDL (PMID: 8971425). No human pregnancy data were found on PubMed. A recent phase 3 dysphagia trial in Thailand excluded people with systolic blood pressure below 100 mmHg, heart rate below 50 a minute, active bleeding, anticoagulant use, chronic gout or high uric acid, creatinine clearance below 30 ml/min, moderate or severe liver impairment, and pregnancy or breastfeeding (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05551182). ### Interactions 4 pairings in our record: 3 with a caution and 1 to monitor. - Propranolol Caution In a randomized double-blind study of 10 healthy volunteers, nicergoline strengthened the effect of propranolol on cardiac output and heart oxygen demand without changing propranolol blood levels (PMID: 6876944). - Blood pressure lowering drugs Caution Nicergoline blocks alpha1-adrenergic receptors (PMID: 10027088), and low blood pressure was slightly more frequent than on placebo in trials (PMID: 25079927); no interaction study with blood pressure lowering drugs was found. - Amiodarone Caution Among nicergoline fibrosis reports reviewed by the EMA, amiodarone was the one co-suspected drug considered a confounder for pulmonary fibrosis, and one patient on both died after a diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis (EMA assessment report EMA/750632/2013). - CYP2D6 inhibitors and inducers Monitor Formation of nicergoline's metabolite MDL depends mainly on CYP2D6, and poor metabolizers had much higher MMDL and no measurable MDL (PMID: 8971425). A 2014 review notes possible interactions with drugs that inhibit or induce CYP2D6 but cites no clinical interaction study (PMID: 25243157). This interaction data is compiled from published research and community reports. It may not be exhaustive. Always consult a healthcare professional before combining compounds. Need bloodwork before starting? Full hormone + metabolic panels from Anabolic Insights. Code CHONCH for first-order discount. Order Bloodwork (https://anabolicinsights.ai/?ref=nwm2zjb) 04 Dosing Free with email ## Dosing No dose on record Our record lists no dose for Nicergoline. This section holds what it does list. ### Unlock the Dosing section - Route 05 Prices ## Nicergoline prices No listings We do not track a vendor for Nicergoline yet, so this page states no price. 06 Chemistry ## Chemistry and structure Molecular formula C24H26BrN3O3 Molecular mass 484.4 g/mol CAS number 27848-84-6 Half-life No half-life for nicergoline itself was found in the sources read; nicergoline is rapidly hydrolysed to the metabolite MMDL (PMID: 8971425), and the main metabolite MDL had a plasma half-life of about 8.4 to 9.3 hours after a single dose in 20 healthy volunteers in a 2012 bioequivalence study (PMID: 29403722). View on PubChem (https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/34040) 07 Related ## Related to Nicergoline ### In the same category - FocusX BlendNo published studies of the blend FocusX Blend is a liquid sold for research in a 20 mL vial whose label lists three compounds at 150 mg/mL each: choline chloride, acetyl-L-carnitine and L-carnosine.: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/compound/focusx-blend - MemantinePhase 4 Memantine (1-amino-3,5-dimethyladamantane) is a moderate-affinity, uncompetitive antagonist of the NMDA type of glutamate receptor that the FDA approved on 16 October 2003 as Namenda for moderate to severe dementia of the Alzheimer's type, under a US licence from the German company Merz.: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/compound/memantine - N-Acetyl-SelankPreclinical N-Acetyl-Selank is the N-terminally acetylated analog of Selank, a tuftsin-derived heptapeptide used intranasally for its reported anxiolytic and nootropic effects.: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/compound/n-acetyl-selank - N-Acetyl-SemaxDuplicate entry - see NA-Semax This is a duplicate/alias entry. The full, maintained guide for this compound lives at NA-Semax (/compound/na-semax).: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/compound/n-acetyl-semax - Noopept + Choline Chloride BlendBlend has no clinical trials A community nootropic stack pairing Noopept, a potent racetam-family dipeptide, with a choline source (commonly alpha-GPC, CDP-choline/citicoline, or choline bitartrate).: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/compound/noopept-choline-blend All compounds (https://www.bodyhackguide.co/wiki) ### Compare Nicergoline - Alternatives to Nicergoline: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/alternatives-to/nicergoline ### Research tools - Peptide Calculator Reconstitution and syringe units: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/tools/reconstitution - Reconstitution Guide How to mix, step by step: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/guides/how-to-reconstitute-peptides - Nasal Spray Calc mL per actuation: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/tools/intranasal - Half-Life Visualizer Decay curves: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/tools/halflife All articles (https://www.bodyhackguide.co/blog) 08 Questions ## Frequently asked questions What is nicergoline? Nicergoline is a semisynthetic ergot derivative, made from d-lumilysergic acid, that blocks alpha1-adrenergic receptors and is sold under names such as Sermion (PMID: 25712664, PMID: 10027088; Polish Register of Medicinal Products). Nicergoline has been in clinical use since the 1970s, mainly for cognitive, behavioral and cerebrovascular disorders of older people (PMID: 18666801, PMID: 11687175). PubChem gives its formula as C24H26BrN3O3 and its molecular weight as 484.4 g/mol (CID 34040). Is nicergoline approved in the US or Europe? Nicergoline has no record in Drugs@FDA, the FDA's database of approved drugs (openFDA search, 27 October 2026). In Europe nicergoline medicines are authorised country by country, and the EMA's 2013 list named nicergoline products in 12 countries, among them France, Italy, Poland and Spain (EMA, ergot derivatives Article 31 referral, Annex I for nicergoline). Poland's register still listed six nicergoline products on 27 October 2026 (Polish Register of Medicinal Products). What did the EMA decide about nicergoline in 2013? In 2013 the EMA concluded that the benefits of nicergoline and four other ergot derivatives no longer outweighed the risks of fibrosis and ergotism for several uses, and the European Commission endorsed this for nicergoline on 27 September 2013 (EMA, ergot derivatives Article 31 referral). For nicergoline, the deleted indications covered cognitive and sensory impairment in older people outside dementia, intermittent claudication, Raynaud's syndrome, eye problems of vascular origin and migraine prevention (EMA assessment report EMA/750632/2013). Dementia indications for nicergoline were outside the review and stayed authorised where they existed (EMA, ergot derivatives Article 31 referral). Does nicergoline improve memory? A 2001 Cochrane review of 14 trials in older people with mild to moderate cognitive impairment found MMSE scores 2.86 points better with nicergoline than placebo at 12 months, but no significant ADAS-Cog benefit for nicergoline in Alzheimer's disease (PMID: 11687175). For the uses it reviewed, the EMA judged the nicergoline efficacy data very limited and weakened by publication bias and changing diagnostic criteria (EMA assessment report EMA/750632/2013). In a 1990 study of 16 healthy volunteers breathing low-oxygen air, a single 30 mg dose of nicergoline reduced the drop in mental performance compared with placebo (PMID: 2127674). What is the fibrosis risk with nicergoline? The EMA counted 30 reports of fibrosis with nicergoline, mostly in the lungs and pleura, and in 21 of them a link to nicergoline could not be excluded (EMA assessment report EMA/750632/2013). The reported nicergoline fibrosis cases arose after 5 months to 30 years of treatment, and ten lung cases improved after nicergoline was stopped (EMA assessment report EMA/750632/2013). A 2014 meta-analysis found no fibrosis reported in 29 randomized trials of nicergoline, while the EMA noted that fibrosis develops slowly after long treatment and is probably under-reported (PMID: 25079927; EMA assessment report EMA/750632/2013). What side effects have been reported with nicergoline? In a 2014 meta-analysis of 29 trials, adverse events were about as frequent on nicergoline as on placebo, with low blood pressure (against placebo) and hot flushes (against all comparators) slightly more frequent and anxiety less frequent on nicergoline (PMID: 25079927). A 2014 review lists temporary rises in blood pressure, slow heart rate, low blood pressure and fainting among cardiovascular events reported with nicergoline (PMID: 25243157). The EMA could not rule out ergotism among spontaneous reports with nicergoline (EMA assessment report EMA/750632/2013). Free 2026 Peptide Cheat Sheet (PDF) 38 compounds and blends: vial sizes, BAC water volumes, dosing ranges and bloodwork markers. Download Free (https://www.bodyhackguide.co/guides/peptide-cheat-sheet-download) BodyHackGuide (https://www.bodyhackguide.co/) Your biohacking research hub: compound pricing, brain health protocols, dosing tools, and vendor reviews. support@bodyhackguide.co Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/Mhq5UdRYBA r/BodyHackGuide on Reddit: https://reddit.com/r/BodyHackGuide **Affiliate Disclosure:** We rank every vendor on the same public, reproducible methodology (https://www.bodyhackguide.co/vendors/methodology). Full details in our affiliate disclosure (https://www.bodyhackguide.co/affiliate-disclosure). **Research Disclaimer:** All compounds listed are for laboratory and research purposes only. Not for human consumption. 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All rights reserved. - Terms: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/terms - Privacy: https://www.bodyhackguide.co/privacy ## Structured data ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.bodyhackguide.co/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Compounds", "item": "https://www.bodyhackguide.co/compare" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Nicergoline" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "MedicalWebPage", "name": "Nicergoline", "description": "Nicergoline (Sermion) is a semisynthetic ergot derivative that blocks alpha1-adrenergic receptors and has been in clinical use outside the US since the 1970s for cognitive, behavioral and cerebrovascular disorders of older people (PMID: 18666801, PMID: 11687175, PMID: 10027088). Nicergoline has no record in Drugs@FDA, while the European Medicines Agency listed nicergoline medicines in 12 European countries in 2013 and Poland's medicines register lists six nicergoline products in October 2026 (Drugs@FDA through openFDA; EMA, ergot derivatives Article 31 referral, Annex I for nicergoline; Polish Register of Medicinal Products). In 2013 the EMA concluded that the benefits of ergot derivatives, nicergoline included, no longer outweighed the risks of fibrosis and ergotism for memory and sensory problems of older people, circulation problems and migraine prevention, and those indications were removed in the EU, while dementia indications were outside the review (EMA, ergot derivatives Article 31 referral). A 2001 Cochrane review of 14 trials found some evidence of benefit on cognition and behavior in older people with mild to moderate cognitive impairment, but for the uses it reviewed the EMA judged nicergoline's efficacy data very limited and weakened by publication bias (PMID: 11687175; EMA assessment report EMA/750632/2013).", "lastReviewed": "2026-11-04T11:14:40.739Z", "url": "https://www.bodyhackguide.co/compound/nicergoline", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "BioChonch", "url": "https://www.bodyhackguide.co/about", "jobTitle": "Founder & Lead Researcher", "sameAs": [ "https://reddit.com/r/BodyHackGuide", "https://reddit.com/r/BrainHackGuide", "https://reddit.com/r/Biohackingher" ], "worksFor": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "BodyHackGuide", "url": "https://www.bodyhackguide.co" } }, "reviewedBy": { "@type": "Person", "name": "BioChonch", "url": "https://www.bodyhackguide.co/about", "jobTitle": "Founder & Lead Researcher", "sameAs": [ "https://reddit.com/r/BodyHackGuide", "https://reddit.com/r/BrainHackGuide", "https://reddit.com/r/Biohackingher" ], "worksFor": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "BodyHackGuide", "url": "https://www.bodyhackguide.co" } }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "BodyHackGuide", "url": "https://www.bodyhackguide.co" }, "mainContentOfPage": { "@type": "WebPageElement", "cssSelector": "main" }, "about": { "@type": "Drug", "name": "Nicergoline", "alternateName": [ "Sermion", "Nicotergoline", "FI-6714", "10-Methoxy-1,6-dimethylergoline-8beta-methanol 5-bromonicotinate" ], "description": "Nicergoline (Sermion) is a semisynthetic ergot derivative that blocks alpha1-adrenergic receptors and has been in clinical use outside the US since the 1970s for cognitive, behavioral and cerebrovascular disorders of older people (PMID: 18666801, PMID: 11687175, PMID: 10027088). Nicergoline has no record in Drugs@FDA, while the European Medicines Agency listed nicergoline medicines in 12 European countries in 2013 and Poland's medicines register lists six nicergoline products in October 2026 (Drugs@FDA through openFDA; EMA, ergot derivatives Article 31 referral, Annex I for nicergoline; Polish Register of Medicinal Products). In 2013 the EMA concluded that the benefits of ergot derivatives, nicergoline included, no longer outweighed the risks of fibrosis and ergotism for memory and sensory problems of older people, circulation problems and migraine prevention, and those indications were removed in the EU, while dementia indications were outside the review (EMA, ergot derivatives Article 31 referral). A 2001 Cochrane review of 14 trials found some evidence of benefit on cognition and behavior in older people with mild to moderate cognitive impairment, but for the uses it reviewed the EMA judged nicergoline's efficacy data very limited and weakened by publication bias (PMID: 11687175; EMA assessment report EMA/750632/2013).", "activeIngredient": "Nicergoline", "administrationRoute": "Oral, Intravenous", "mechanismOfAction": "What nicergoline is Nicergoline is a semisynthetic ergot alkaloid derived from d-lumilysergic acid (PMID: 25712664), and chemically it is the 5-bromonicotinic acid ester of 10-methoxy-1,6-dimethylergoline-8beta-methanol (PubChem CID 34040). Pharmacia and Upjohn held the rights to produce and market nicergoline in several countries at the time of the 2001 Cochrane review (PMID: 11687175). Alpha1-adrenergic receptor block (rat studies) In rats, nicergoline blocked alpha1-adrenergic receptors (alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonism) and was about 40 times more potent than the reference blocker prazosin in the isolated mesenteric vascular bed (pA2 11.1 against 9.5) but 20 times less potent in the aorta, which the authors read as selective block of the alpha1A subtype (PMID: 10027088). Of the metabolites tested, lumilysergol was a modest alpha1 antagonist and bromonicotinic acid had no alpha1 antagonist activity (PMID: 10027088). Other proposed actions A 2008 review and the EMA's 2013 assessment both list five proposed actions: vasodilation through alpha1 block, enhanced cholinergic and catecholaminergic transmission, inhibition of platelet aggregation, greater use of oxygen and glucose, and neurotrophic and antioxidant effects; the EMA wrote that nicergoline \"seems to have\" these actions (PMID: 18666801; EMA assessment report EMA/750632/2013). In human neuroblastoma cells, nicergoline at 1 to 10 micromolar raised release of the soluble amyloid precursor protein fragment through protein kinase C, by 150 to 200 percent over baseline (PMID: 10482351). A 2025 review describes nicergoline as a non-specific drug that acts on many targets, and it argues that activation rather than blockade of alpha1 receptors supports cognition and memory (PMID: 41155541). Substance P (human studies) Low secretion of substance P, a neuropeptide, is linked to swallowing problems (PMID: 21694649). In 50 people 1 to 3 months after an ischaemic stroke, serum substance P rose significantly after 4 weeks of nicergoline (p=0.021) and did not change in untreated patients (PMID: 20029189). Ergot derivatives and fibrosis The EMA noted that fibrosis caused by ergot derivatives is widely linked to activation of serotonin 5-HT2B receptors, but that some ergot derivatives are not 5-HT2B agonists, so other mechanisms involving 5-HT2A and 5-HT1B receptors or the serotonin transporter cannot be excluded (EMA assessment report EMA/750632/2013). A 2015 review states that nicergoline binds adrenergic, serotonergic and dopamine receptors with varying affinity and calls for more mechanistic studies on nicergoline (PMID: 25712664). Metabolism and pharmacokinetics (human studies) Nicergoline is rapidly hydrolysed to the alcohol metabolite MMDL, which is then N-demethylated to MDL, mainly by the liver enzyme CYP2D6 (PMID: 8971425). In 15 volunteers given a single oral dose, the five poor metabolizers of the CYP2D6 probe debrisoquine had MMDL peak levels about six times higher than the others (356 against 59 nanomoles per liter) and MDL below the limit of measurement (PMID: 8971425). In a 2012 bioequivalence study in 20 healthy volunteers, MDL peaked after about 3.3 to 3.4 hours and had a half-life of about 8.4 to 9.3 hours (PMID: 29403722).", "legalStatus": "Approved in some countries outside the US (not FDA approved)" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is nicergoline?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Nicergoline is a semisynthetic ergot derivative, made from d-lumilysergic acid, that blocks alpha1-adrenergic receptors and is sold under names such as Sermion (PMID: 25712664, PMID: 10027088; Polish Register of Medicinal Products). Nicergoline has been in clinical use since the 1970s, mainly for cognitive, behavioral and cerebrovascular disorders of older people (PMID: 18666801, PMID: 11687175). PubChem gives its formula as C24H26BrN3O3 and its molecular weight as 484.4 g/mol (CID 34040)." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is nicergoline approved in the US or Europe?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Nicergoline has no record in Drugs@FDA, the FDA's database of approved drugs (openFDA search, 27 October 2026). In Europe nicergoline medicines are authorised country by country, and the EMA's 2013 list named nicergoline products in 12 countries, among them France, Italy, Poland and Spain (EMA, ergot derivatives Article 31 referral, Annex I for nicergoline). Poland's register still listed six nicergoline products on 27 October 2026 (Polish Register of Medicinal Products)." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What did the EMA decide about nicergoline in 2013?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "In 2013 the EMA concluded that the benefits of nicergoline and four other ergot derivatives no longer outweighed the risks of fibrosis and ergotism for several uses, and the European Commission endorsed this for nicergoline on 27 September 2013 (EMA, ergot derivatives Article 31 referral). For nicergoline, the deleted indications covered cognitive and sensory impairment in older people outside dementia, intermittent claudication, Raynaud's syndrome, eye problems of vascular origin and migraine prevention (EMA assessment report EMA/750632/2013). Dementia indications for nicergoline were outside the review and stayed authorised where they existed (EMA, ergot derivatives Article 31 referral)." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does nicergoline improve memory?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "A 2001 Cochrane review of 14 trials in older people with mild to moderate cognitive impairment found MMSE scores 2.86 points better with nicergoline than placebo at 12 months, but no significant ADAS-Cog benefit for nicergoline in Alzheimer's disease (PMID: 11687175). For the uses it reviewed, the EMA judged the nicergoline efficacy data very limited and weakened by publication bias and changing diagnostic criteria (EMA assessment report EMA/750632/2013). In a 1990 study of 16 healthy volunteers breathing low-oxygen air, a single 30 mg dose of nicergoline reduced the drop in mental performance compared with placebo (PMID: 2127674)." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is the fibrosis risk with nicergoline?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The EMA counted 30 reports of fibrosis with nicergoline, mostly in the lungs and pleura, and in 21 of them a link to nicergoline could not be excluded (EMA assessment report EMA/750632/2013). The reported nicergoline fibrosis cases arose after 5 months to 30 years of treatment, and ten lung cases improved after nicergoline was stopped (EMA assessment report EMA/750632/2013). A 2014 meta-analysis found no fibrosis reported in 29 randomized trials of nicergoline, while the EMA noted that fibrosis develops slowly after long treatment and is probably under-reported (PMID: 25079927; EMA assessment report EMA/750632/2013)." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What side effects have been reported with nicergoline?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "In a 2014 meta-analysis of 29 trials, adverse events were about as frequent on nicergoline as on placebo, with low blood pressure (against placebo) and hot flushes (against all comparators) slightly more frequent and anxiety less frequent on nicergoline (PMID: 25079927). A 2014 review lists temporary rises in blood pressure, slow heart rate, low blood pressure and fainting among cardiovascular events reported with nicergoline (PMID: 25243157). The EMA could not rule out ergotism among spontaneous reports with nicergoline (EMA assessment report EMA/750632/2013)." } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://www.bodyhackguide.co#organization", "name": "BodyHackGuide", "alternateName": "BHG", "url": "https://www.bodyhackguide.co", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.bodyhackguide.co/logo.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 }, "description": "Evidence-based research reference for peptides and nootropics. 273 compound profiles, interactive dosing calculators, vendor price comparisons, and trust-scored vendor reviews scored on a public, reproducible methodology applied to every vendor. 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