CDP-choline

Related Terms

CDP, Cebrolux?, Cebroton, Cognizin?, cytidine diphosphate choline, cytidine-5'-diphosphocholine, cytidinediphosphocholine, diphosphocholine, Neuroton?, somazina.
Note: The terms citicoline, citicholine, and CDP-choline are used interchangeably throughout the literature. "Citicoline" will be used throughout this monograph.

Background

Citicoline was first used to treat stroke. Citicoline may help treat diseases of the nerves and brain. Citicoline may help prevent the release of harmful chemicals in the body after decreased blood flow to the brain.
Citicoline has been studied as a treatment for disorders associated with aging, including memory loss, glaucoma (increased eye pressure), and problems with nerve function.
Citicoline is used in Europe and Japan for stroke, head injury, and other nerve diseases.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Citicoline was first used by Ferrer International for the treatment of stroke. It is used in Europe and Japan for stroke. Research suggests that citicoline may protect the brain and nerves. Additional research is needed in this area.

 B


Citicoline was first used by Ferrer International for the treatment of stroke. It is used in Europe and Japan for stroke. Research suggests that citicoline may protect the brain and nerves. Additional research is needed in this area.

 B


Research suggests that citicoline may help treat people with mild-to-moderate brain aging. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Research suggests that citicoline may help treat people with mild-to-moderate brain aging. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Research suggests that citicoline may help people with Alzheimer's disease. It may improve thinking and increase blood flow to the brain. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Research suggests that citicoline may help people with Alzheimer's disease. It may improve thinking and increase blood flow to the brain. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Research suggests that citicoline lack an effect on depression symptoms. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Research suggests that citicoline lack an effect on depression symptoms. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Research suggests that citicoline may help people with brain damage. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Research suggests that citicoline may help people with brain damage. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Research suggests that use of citicoline may help people with disorders of the blood vessels in the brain. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Research suggests that use of citicoline may help people with disorders of the blood vessels in the brain. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Research suggests a lack of effect of citicoline on cocaine dependence. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Research suggests a lack of effect of citicoline on cocaine dependence. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Research suggests citicoline has a small effect on delirium. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Research suggests citicoline has a small effect on delirium. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Research suggests citicoline may benefit people with dementia. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Research suggests citicoline may benefit people with dementia. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Research suggests citicoline may help people with depression. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Research suggests citicoline may help people with depression. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Research suggests that citicoline may help treat amblyopia ("lazy eye"). Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Research suggests that citicoline may help treat amblyopia ("lazy eye"). Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Research suggests that citicoline may help treat glaucoma. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Research suggests that citicoline may help treat glaucoma. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Research suggests citicoline may help treat people with bleeding in the brain. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Research suggests citicoline may help treat people with bleeding in the brain. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Research suggests that citicoline may help improve memory in the elderly and in people with brain injury due to trauma. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Research suggests that citicoline may help improve memory in the elderly and in people with brain injury due to trauma. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Research suggests that citicoline may increase muscle strength in people with cerebral hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain) that is not caused by trauma. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Research suggests that citicoline may increase muscle strength in people with cerebral hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain) that is not caused by trauma. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Research suggests that use of citicoline in people with nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NION), a type of nerve damage in the eye, improved vision. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Research suggests that use of citicoline in people with nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NION), a type of nerve damage in the eye, improved vision. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Research shows mixed results of citicoline in people with Parkinson's disease. It has been given with the normal levodopa treatment. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


Research shows mixed results of citicoline in people with Parkinson's disease. It has been given with the normal levodopa treatment. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


There is a lack of well-designed research to support the use of citicoline for the movement disorder tardive dyskinesia. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C


There is a lack of well-designed research to support the use of citicoline for the movement disorder tardive dyskinesia. Additional research is needed in this area.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
For aging, 1,000 milligrams has been taken by mouth daily for 21 days.
For Alzheimer's disease, 1,000 milligrams has been used by mouth daily for 12 weeks.
For bipolar disorder, added to regular treatment, 500 milligrams of citicoline daily, with a gradual increase to 2,000 milligrams daily has been used by mouth for 12 weeks.
For bleeding in the brain, 1,000 milligrams has been injected into a vein every 12 hours for two weeks. Also, 1,000 milligrams has been taken by mouth every 12 hours for two weeks.
For brain damage, 1,000 milligrams has been injected into a vein daily for four weeks.
For cocaine dependence, 1,000 milligrams has been used by mouth daily for four days. Also, 500 milligrams has been used by mouth twice daily for an unknown length of time.
For delirium, 1,200 milligrams has been used by mouth daily 24 hours prior to hip surgery and during the four days after surgery.
For decreased blood flow to the brain, 1,000 milligrams has been injected into the muscle daily for 28 days. Also, 1,000 milligrams of citicoline has been used by mouth daily for 28 days.
For dementia, 200 milligrams has been injected into the muscle every eight hours for the first 10 days, followed by an additional 200 milligrams every 12 hours for the next 10 days, and 200 milligrams every 24 hours for the last 10 days. Also, 500 milligrams has been used by mouth twice daily for an unknown length of time.
For depression, 500 milligrams has been used by mouth daily. The dose was separated into 300 milligrams at 8 a.m. and 200 milligrams at 5 p.m. for at least 21 days.
For eye disorders, 1,000 milligrams has been injected into the muscle daily for 15 days.
For glaucoma (increased eye pressure), 1,600 milligrams of Cebrolux? has been taken by mouth daily for 60 days. Also, 500 milligrams of citicoline has been taken by mouth twice daily for 14 days. In addition, 1,000 milligrams of Neuroton? or Cebroton has been injected into the muscle daily for 60-120 days.
For memory loss, 1,000 milligrams has been used by mouth daily for an unknown length of time. Also, 500-2,000 milligrams has been used daily for 4-8 weeks. In addition, 250-500 milligrams has been injected into the muscle daily for 14-20 days.
For muscle strength after stroke, 250 milligrams of citicoline has been injected into a vein twice daily for 14 days.
For nerve disease of the eye, 1,600 milligrams of Cebrolux? has been used by mouth daily for 60 days.
For Parkinson's disease, 500-1,200 milligrams has been used by mouth daily for one month in addition to levodopa treatment. Also, 1,000 milligrams has been injected into the muscle daily for 15 days added to levodopa treatment
For stroke, 500-2,000 milligrams has been used by mouth once or twice daily for six weeks. Also, 500 milligrams of citicoline has been injected into a vein daily for seven days.
For tardive dyskinesia (movement disorder), 500-1,200 milligrams has been used by mouth daily for four weeks.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Citicoline may cause low blood pressure. Caution is advised in people taking agents that lower blood pressure.
Citicoline may interact with agents that affect dopamine, agents that affect heart rate, agents used to treat acute stroke, agents used to treat asthma, agents used to treat Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's agents, anti-aging agents, cholesterol-lowering agents, growth hormone, and pain relief agents.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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Clark WM, Wechsler LR, Sabounjian LA, et al. A phase III randomized efficacy trial of 2000 mg citicoline in acute ischemic stroke patients. Neurology 11-13-2001;57(9):1595-1602.
Clark WM, Williams BJ, Selzer KA, et al. A randomized efficacy trial of citicoline in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Stroke. 1999;30(12):2592-2597.
Diaz V, Rodriguez J, Barrientos P, et al. Use of procholinergics in the prevention of postoperative delirium in hip fracture surgery in the elderly. A randomized controlled trial]. Rev Neurol 10-16-2001;33(8):716-719.
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