Medical uses Vinpocetine has been used in many Asian and European countries for treatment of cerebrovascular disorders such as stroke and dementia for over three decades. Use during pregnancy may harm the baby or result in miscarriage. Vinpocetine is not approved for any therapeutic use in the United States. The FDA has ruled that vinpocetine, due to its synthetic nature and proposed therapeutic uses, is ineligible to be marketed as dietary supplement under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Despite this, vinpocetine remains widely available in dietary supplements often marketed as nootropics. The sale of vinpocetine as a supplement is banned in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada due to "potential harmful nootropic characteristics". Evidence does not fully support a benefit in either dementia or stroke. As of 2003, three controlled clinical trials had tested "older adults with memory problems". Side effects  Adverse effects of vinpocetine include flushing, nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, transient hypo- and hyper-tension, headaches, heartburn, and decreased blood pressure. FDA issued a statement in 2019 warning that "vinpocetine may cause a miscarriage or harm fetal development". Vinpocetine has been implicated in one case in the induction of agranulocytosis, a serious condition in which granulocytes are markedly decreased. Some people have anecdotally noted that their continued use of vinpocetine reduces immune function. Commission E warned that vinpocetine-reduced immune function could cause apoptosis (cellular death) in the long term.
Medical uses Vinpocetine has been used in many Asian and European countries for treatment of cerebrovascular disorders such as stroke and dementia for over three decades. Vinpocetine is not approved for any therapeutic use in the United States. The FDA has ruled that vinpocetine, due to its synthetic nature and proposed therapeutic uses, is ineligible to be marketed as dietary supplement under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Despite this, vinpocetine remains widely available in dietary supplements often marketed as nootropics. The sale of vinpocetine as a supplement is banned in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada due to "potential harmful nootropic characteristics". Evidence does not fully support a benefit in either dementia or stroke. As of 2003, three controlled clinical trials had tested "older adults with memory problems". Side effects Use during pregnancy may harm the baby or result in miscarriage. Adverse effects of vinpocetine include flushing, nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, transient hypo- and hyper-tension, headaches, heartburn, and decreased blood pressure. FDA issued a statement in 2019 warning that "vinpocetine may cause a miscarriage or harm fetal development". Vinpocetine has been implicated in one case in the induction of agranulocytosis, a serious condition in which granulocytes are markedly decreased. Some people have anecdotally noted that their continued use of vinpocetine reduces immune function. Commission E warned that vinpocetine-reduced immune function could cause apoptosis (cellular death) in the long term.
D
Use during pregnancy may harm the baby or result in miscarriage.
A
Use during pregnancy may harm the baby or result in miscarriage.