Centrophenoxine
Centrophenoxine (meclofenoxate) is a 1950s-era prescription drug in some European countries for age-related cognitive decline. The human evidence is mostly small RCTs from the 1970s–90s in dementia and stroke recovery, with modest effect sizes that haven't been replicated in modern trials. Not FDA-approved in the US. Marketed as a 'nootropic' for healthy adults, but no controlled trials support that use.
Research compound — not an approved drug or dietary supplement
This compound is sold for research and is not FDA-approved for human use or as a dietary supplement. Human evidence is limited; purity and dosing of consumer products are unverified. The data below is an evidence review for education only — talk to a clinician before considering it.
Quick decision guide
May help most
Older adults with mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment whose clinician (in a country where it's prescribed) considers it as an adjunct — not a primary therapy for dementia.
Common dosing range
1,000–2,000 mg per day in 2–3 divided doses; older clinical trials typically used 2 g/day.
When to expect effects
8 weeks in the clinical trials; effects on healthy adults are not established.
Watch out for
Old, limited evidence base; long-term safety not characterized; many products are unregulated 'research chemicals' with unverified purity.
Evidence snapshot
What is it
Centrophenoxine (meclofenoxate) is a synthetic compound consisting of DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol) bound to a chlorinated phenoxyacetic acid carrier. Developed in France in the 1950s, it has been used as a prescription medication for cognitive impairment and age-related cognitive decline in several European countries.
Is it worth it for you?
Use this as a quick fit check, not a diagnosis.
Worth considering if…
Probably skip if…
Evidence at a glance
| Goal | Effect | Best fit | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
Age-related cognitive decline (mild-to-moderate) Limited Evidence | Modest improvement on memory/attention psychometric tests at 2 g/day for 4–8 weeks; no validated functional or biomarker endpoint | Older adults with mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment under clinician supervision | 8 weeks in trials |
Stroke / vascular cognitive recovery Limited Evidence | Modest cognitive improvement in a combination trial; effect not separable from CDP-choline component | Post-stroke patients under specialist supervision who want to explore adjuncts | Months |
Lipofuscin reduction / anti-aging Mixed Evidence | Reduction in neuronal lipofuscin in aged animal studies; no validated human translation | Researchers interested in aging biology — not a consumer recommendation | Not established in humans |
Cognitive enhancement in healthy adults Mixed Evidence | No reliable effect demonstrated in healthy adults | Not applicable — no evidence supports use in healthy adults | Not established |
Age-related cognitive decline (mild-to-moderate)
- Effect
- Modest improvement on memory/attention psychometric tests at 2 g/day for 4–8 weeks; no validated functional or biomarker endpoint
- Best fit
- Older adults with mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment under clinician supervision
- Time
- 8 weeks in trials
Stroke / vascular cognitive recovery
- Effect
- Modest cognitive improvement in a combination trial; effect not separable from CDP-choline component
- Best fit
- Post-stroke patients under specialist supervision who want to explore adjuncts
- Time
- Months
Lipofuscin reduction / anti-aging
- Effect
- Reduction in neuronal lipofuscin in aged animal studies; no validated human translation
- Best fit
- Researchers interested in aging biology — not a consumer recommendation
- Time
- Not established in humans
Cognitive enhancement in healthy adults
- Effect
- No reliable effect demonstrated in healthy adults
- Best fit
- Not applicable — no evidence supports use in healthy adults
- Time
- Not established
Evidence for 4 uses
AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.
Age-related cognitive decline (mild-to-moderate)
Supplement benefitOlder European RCTs in elderly patients with mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment or early dementia have shown modest improvements on psychometric tests of memory and attention vs placebo at 1,500–2,000 mg/day for 4–8 weeks (Marcer 1977, Pek 1989). Effect sizes were small and the trials are dated by modern standards (small samples, limited blinding rigor, no biomarker endpoints, pre-current diagnostic criteria for AD). No modern large RCT has confirmed clinically meaningful benefit on validated dementia outcomes. Not a substitute for cholinesterase inhibitors or other proven AD therapies.
Bottom line: Old evidence with small effects in a narrow population. Don't expect modern-AD-level rigor.
Evidence is mixed
Positive trials are old (1970s–1990s), small (n=50), conducted in European clinical practice with pre-modern diagnostic criteria. No modern replication exists. Cochrane-style systematic reviews of meclofenoxate for dementia are absent or note insufficient evidence.
Stroke / vascular cognitive recovery
Supplement benefitA 1996 multi-centre European RCT (Fischhof) combined CDP-choline + meclofenoxate vs placebo in patients with cerebrovascular insufficiency and mild cognitive decline, with modest cognitive improvement vs placebo. The CDP-choline component now has its own (modest, mixed) stroke evidence base independent of meclofenoxate. Hard to attribute benefit to centrophenoxine specifically. Modern post-stroke rehabilitation evidence focuses on antiplatelet therapy, BP control, and structured rehab.
Bottom line: Not a stroke treatment. Standard post-stroke care is the priority.
Lipofuscin reduction / anti-aging
Mechanism onlyIn aged guinea pigs and rats, centrophenoxine reduced neuronal lipofuscin (the brown pigment that accumulates with age) over weeks of treatment. The proposed mechanism is enhanced membrane lipid turnover and antioxidant action of the DMAE moiety. There's no human evidence that lipofuscin reduction translates to clinically meaningful anti-aging effects; lipofuscin itself isn't a validated target for any age-related disease.
Bottom line: Animal mechanism, not a human anti-aging claim.
Cognitive enhancement in healthy adults
Mechanism onlyThere are essentially no controlled trials of centrophenoxine in healthy adults for cognitive enhancement. The compound is widely sold and discussed in 'nootropic' communities based on its mechanism (cholinergic precursor, membrane fluidization) and on subjective user reports. Side effects (headache, insomnia, irritability, muscle tension) are common at the doses people self-administer. The risk-benefit balance for healthy users isn't supported by evidence.
Bottom line: Skip it for general 'smart drug' use; the evidence isn't there and side effects are common.
How it works
How to take it
What to track
Bottom line: If you're going to try it, start at 250 mg in the morning, build up to 1–2 g/d split before 2 pm, and stop at 8 weeks if no clear benefit. Don't take it after early afternoon.
4 commercial forms
Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.
Meclofenoxate HCl (pharmaceutical, e.g. Lucidril, Cerutil)
Regulated medicine (Europe)Tablet form sold as a prescription drug in some European countries (formerly more widely available; now restricted). The most verifiable purity and dose.
Standard pharmaceutical absorption.
Centrophenoxine capsules (US supplement market)
Unregulated importSold in the US as a research chemical or unregulated nootropic. Purity, dose accuracy, and contaminants vary widely between brands. No FDA approval as a drug or supplement.
Assumed similar to pharmaceutical form when pure; quality control is the wildcard.
Centrophenoxine bulk powder
Highest riskLoose powder marketed for 'research only' to enthusiasts. No quality control, no dosing accuracy, no contamination assurance. Highest risk and not advisable.
Dose accuracy depends entirely on user-supplied scales and the powder's purity.
DMAE (related compound, supplement)
Lower-potency precursorDMAE alone is sold as a supplement in the US. Crosses the blood-brain barrier less efficiently than centrophenoxine (which uses the chlorinated phenoxyacetic acid as a carrier). MSKCC monograph notes inconsistent cognitive effects.
Less efficient brain delivery than the carrier-bound centrophenoxine.
Safety
Know the common side effects, key cautions, and who should avoid it.
Common side effects
Serious risks
Centrophenoxine is not FDA-approved in the US; consumer products are typically sold as 'research chemicals' with unverified purity, dose accuracy, and contamination control. Several US importers have received FDA warning letters.
Long-term human safety data is essentially absent. The drug has been in use in some European countries for decades, but rigorous pharmacovigilance reporting is limited.
Theoretical risk of paradoxical depression and reduced cognitive function in some individuals, particularly with prolonged use. Stop if mood worsens.
Cholinergic effects (excess salivation, sweating, GI cramping) at high doses; theoretically additive with cholinesterase inhibitors.
Who should avoid it
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women — no human safety data; the related compound DMAE is contraindicated in pregnancy.
- People with bipolar disorder or major depression — risk of mood destabilization.
- People with epilepsy or seizure history — cholinergic effects may lower seizure threshold.
- People with severe hypertension, hyperthyroidism, or schizophrenia — older European labeling lists these as contraindications.
- Anyone using it without medical supervision in a country where it's not an approved medicine.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding. There's no human safety data; the parent compound DMAE has shown teratogenic effects in animal studies and is contraindicated in pregnancy. The compound is not worth the unknowns when pregnant.
Bottom line: An unregulated import in the US with limited long-term safety data. If you proceed, source from a country where it's a registered medicine and use it under medical supervision.
Interactions
Both increase cholinergic tone; potential additive cholinergic side effects (nausea, salivation, bradycardia). Discuss with neurologist before stacking.
Additive stimulant-like effects (insomnia, jitteriness, anxiety). Avoid evening combination.
Cholinergic effects may lower seizure threshold; centrophenoxine should generally be avoided in people on antiepileptics for seizure disorders.
Centrophenoxine's pro-cholinergic effect may oppose anticholinergic drugs' intended action.
Theoretical risk of additive activation or mood destabilization. Monitor mood when combining.
Choosing a product
What to look for on the label — and what to be skeptical of.
Look for…
Be skeptical of…
Frequently asked questions
How is centrophenoxine different from DMAE?⌄
Centrophenoxine includes a carrier (chlorophenoxy acid) that helps DMAE cross the blood-brain barrier more efficiently. Oral DMAE alone has lower brain bioavailability.
Is centrophenoxine legal?⌄
It is a prescription medication in several European countries. In the US, it is sold as a supplement but is not widely recognized as a legal dietary supplement ingredient.
Does centrophenoxine really reverse aging?⌄
Animal studies show lipofuscin reduction, but human evidence for meaningful anti-aging effects is not established. Most claims rely on extrapolation from animal data.
Does centrophenoxine cause headaches?⌄
Headaches are sometimes reported, possibly related to changes in cholinergic activity. Starting at lower doses may reduce this risk.
How long does it take to see effects?⌄
Cognitive effects typically develop over days to weeks of regular use, not immediately.
References by claim
Age-related cognitive decline (mild-to-moderate)
Stroke / vascular cognitive recovery
Fischhof et al., 1996 — PubMed — European Neuropsychopharmacology (1996) link
Cognitive enhancement in healthy adults
Memorial Sloan Kettering — About Herbs (DMAE) — Dimethylaminoethanol monograph (2024) link
Lipofuscin reduction / anti-aging
Nandy, 1978 — PubMed — Mechanisms of Ageing and Development (1978) link
Safety
Centrophenoxine on NIH DSLD — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link
Track Centrophenoxine with Pilora
Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.
Coming to App StoreDisclaimer: This compound is not approved by the FDA for human use and is not a dietary supplement. This page is an educational review of available research — much of it preclinical or early-stage — not a recommendation to use it. Consumer product quality is unregulated. Consult a qualified clinician.