The way piracetam works is not fully understood. It may work by altering the availability of the brain supply of neurochemicals (neurotransmitters, enzymes and hormones) or by improving the brain oxygen supply. What is it used for? Uncontrollable twitching or jerking of the muscles, particularly in the arms and legs, caused by a problem in the brain or nervous system (myoclonus of cortical origin). This medicine is used in combination with other treatments for this condition.