There are no official guidelines to assist in answering this question. I will search for relevant research papers instead.
The FDA Drug Labels for Citicoline (PO) do not address this question.
From the Research
Function of CDP-Choline
The function of CDP (Cytidine Diphosphate) choline, also known as citicoline, can be understood through its role in the biosynthetic pathway of structural phospholipids in cell membranes, particularly phosphatidylcholine 1, 2, 3.
Key Actions
- CDP-choline activates the biosynthesis of structural phospholipids in neuronal membranes, increases cerebral metabolism, and acts on the levels of various neurotransmitters 1, 2.
- It has been experimentally proven to increase noradrenaline and dopamine levels in the CNS 1, 2.
- CDP-choline has a neuroprotective effect in situations of hypoxia and ischemia, as well as improved learning and memory performance in animal models of brain aging 1, 2, 3.
Therapeutic Applications
- CDP-choline is used in the treatment of cerebral vascular disease, head trauma of varying severity, and cognitive disorders of diverse etiology 1, 2, 4, 5.
- It has been shown to be effective in the treatment of senile cognitive impairment, either secondary to degenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's disease) or to chronic cerebral vascular disease 1, 2, 4.
- CDP-choline has also been used as an adjuvant in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, with beneficial effects reported 1, 2, 4, 3.
Safety and Tolerability
- CDP-choline is a safe drug, with no serious side effects reported in clinical trials 1, 2, 4, 5.
- It is well tolerated, with no significant systemic cholinergic effects 1, 2.
Bioavailability and Metabolism
- CDP-choline is highly bioavailable, with oral absorption being virtually complete and bioavailability approximately the same as when administered intravenously 1, 2, 3.
- Once absorbed, CDP-choline is widely distributed throughout the body, crosses the blood-brain barrier, and reaches the central nervous system (CNS), where it is incorporated into the membrane and microsomal phospholipid fraction 1, 2, 3.