Roll Call

“Vinpocetine?”Here!

Synthetic

Hasn’t appeared in a scanned product yet.

As a supplement

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Roll Call does not check drug interactions or assess personal safety.

A synthetic compound derived from vincamine, an alkaloid found in the periwinkle plant (Vinca minor). It is manufactured for use in supplements marketed for brain-related support.

Why it’s used

Taken by some for memory, focus, or general cognitive support.

What the evidence says

A Cochrane review of vinpocetine for cognitive impairment and dementia found the existing trials too small and methodologically weak to draw firm conclusions about benefit. No mainstream body has established a reliable cognitive effect from oral use.

Context

Clinical trials reviewed used a range of oral doses and durations, but were generally small, older, and not consistently well-designed by current standards.

Rumors

  1. Vinpocetine is entirely safe and supports brain health.

    Does not support — suggestivehealth and safety evidence

    Studied in: patients aged 58+ with mild to moderate dementia (organic psycho-syndrome).

    Measured as an outcome.

    Who’s saying this

    • Natural Grocers — a retailer: natural grocery and supplement store chain
      How we know who this is
      • “Margaret and Philip Isely, struggling, idealistic young parents, started Natural Grocers with $200 and a dream—a dream that everyone should be able to afford a healthy and active lifestyle.” (their page)
      • “They would return a week or so later, discuss nutrition and take orders for supplements, bread, and other natural nourishing whole foods.” (their page)

  2. Vinpocetine causes neurological side effects such as dizziness that can last long after you stop taking it.

    Does not supporthealth and safety evidence

    Studied in: patients with mild-to-moderate dementia (vascular/degenerative) treated for 12-52 weeks.

    Measured as an outcome.

    Who’s saying this

    • Tinnitus Talk — a platform — posts are by its users: tinnitus support forum run by Tinnitus Hub, a nonprofit that advocates and raises funds for biomedical tinnitus research
      How we know who this is
      • “Tinnitus Talk Support Forum connects you with others suffering from tinnitus and provides information on research and treatments.” (their page)
      • “Help Tinnitus Talk to represent the patient’s voice and to support research into medical treatments.” (their page)

  3. Vinpocetine increases blood flow to the brain.

    Supports — suggestivehealth and safety evidence

    Studied in: chronic ischemic stroke patients (intravenous vinpocetine, PET study).

    Measured as a biomarker.

    Who’s saying this

  4. Vinpocetine improves memory, cognition and concentration.

    Unresolvedhealth and safety evidence

    Studied in: adults aged 58+ with mild-to-moderate dementia (organic psycho-syndrome).

    Measured as an outcome.

    Who’s saying this

    • Life Extension — a brand: sells its own vitamins and supplements
      How we know who this is
      • “Life Extension is a privately owned vitamin and supplement company.” (their page)

  5. Vinpocetine can cause miscarriage and harm fetal development.

    We haven’t found evidence strong enough to support this or rule it out.

    What was measured is not yet noted.

    Who’s saying this

    • Public Citizen's Health Research Group — an advocacy group: campaigns for drug safety and FDA accountability; sells subscriptions
      How we know who this is
      • “Public Citizen's Health Research Group, publisher of the book Worst Pills, Best Pills and the monthly newsletter Worst Pills, Best Pills News , was founded more than 50 years ago by renowned consumer advocate Dr. Sidney Wolfe.” (their page)
      • “We've been fighting Big Pharma and pressuring the FDA to ban or relabel dangerous or ineffective drugs since 1971.” (their page)