Phenibut

Phenibut is a nootropic psychostimulant. It also has an anxiolytic effect.

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Indications Phenibut

It is used for the following disorders:

• deterioration of mental activity;
• weakening of emotional activity;
• memory problems;
• signs of developing asthenia;
• anxiety disorders;
• the emergence of fears, including nightmares;
• a feeling of restlessness and severe anxiety;
• decreased attention;
• development of insomnia;
• alcoholism, as well as psychopathological and somatovegetative disorders that develop against the background of alcohol withdrawal (the drug is combined with other treatment procedures);
• padalemixia;
• the appearance of dizziness, which is associated with vestibular dysfunction caused by diseases in the vascular system, as well as infections or injuries;
• to prevent the development of motion sickness caused by kinetosis;
• development of osteochondrosis in the thoracic or cervical spine, as well as female climacteric disorders (the drug is used in combination with other medical measures);
• urinary incontinence, stuttering, and in addition, tics and hyperactivity in children.

The use of tablets in combination with other detoxifying drugs is also carried out to eliminate the state of alcohol withdrawal in combination with delirium, as well as in case of alcohol intoxication of a pre-delirious nature.

In addition, Phenibut is used to prevent stress, which is often observed in patients in the period before surgery or a painful diagnostic procedure.

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Release form

The release occurs in tablets, in the amount of 10 pieces inside a blister. In the package - 1 or 2 blister plates.

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Pharmacodynamics

Acting as a nootropic agent, Phenibut has a positive effect on higher integrative cerebral activity. The drug helps improve mental function, stimulates memory and cognitive activity of the brain. At the same time, it strengthens the brain's resistance to the effects of various negative factors, including oxygen starvation, as well as extremely high loads.

The drug reduces the severity of the consequences of serious disorders arising from strokes, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, cerebral intoxication, etc.

In individuals who have previously suffered a severe TBI, the use of LS increases the number of mitochondria inside the perifocal region, and in addition to this, the dynamics of the processes occurring inside the brain improves - tissue respiration, blood supply and cerebral use of glucose, and in addition, energy activity.

At the same time, the drug helps to strengthen the cortico-subcortical connections – the connections of the cerebral cortex with its subcortical regions.

Phenibut has the following therapeutic effects:

• corrects higher cortical activity, which is disrupted due to local brain damage;
• increases the level of mental judgment and improves the development of critical abilities;
• increases cortical control over the functioning of subcortical areas;
• affects the activity of processes that are associated with the work of memory (recollection and memorization, as well as learning ability);
• increases the duration of the period of wakefulness, eliminates depression or clouding of consciousness, clarifying it as much as possible;
• increases the body's overall resistance to the effects of various stress factors;
• causes an anti-asthenic effect, expressed in a decrease in weakness and lethargy, and in addition to this, in the elimination of signs of physical and mental asthenia, etc.;
• has a stimulating effect on mental activity (the drug reduces the severity of mental inhibition, increases volitional activity, and at the same time helps to improve speech and motor function, etc.);
• has antidepressant properties;
• has a tranquilizing and sedative effect, reducing emotional excitability and irritability.

The stimulating effect of the tablets does not lead to an increase in motor or speech arousal, the patient's habituation to the drug with the subsequent development of dependence, and also to the depletion of the body's reserves of activity.

Like other nootropics, the drug has low toxicity, a high degree of compatibility with substances from other drug groups, and at the same time, the absence of severe side effects and complications.

The medicinal effect of the drug in most cases develops gradually over several weeks. That is why it is recommended to prescribe it for long-term use.

The anxiolytic effect of the drug is manifested by reducing the excitability of the subcortical structures located inside the brain (this includes the thalamus with the hypothalamus, as well as the limbic structures), which form the development of emotions, and in addition, by slowing down their interaction with the cerebral cortex, and inhibiting the reflex activity of the spinal cord (for example, the drug suppresses spinal reflexes of a polysynaptic nature).

Directly affecting the conductors of γ-aminobutyric acid, the drug facilitates the simplification of GABA-mediated movement of nerve reactions into the CNS. The active element of the drug is capable of improving the activity of the brain, stabilizing the metabolic processes occurring inside it and improving the function of blood circulation.

At the same time, the patient experiences an improvement in hemodynamic values (for example, the linear and volumetric blood flow rate increases), a decrease in the level of vascular resistance, an improvement in microcirculation processes (including within the eye tissues), and in addition, the creation of conditions that prevent induced or spontaneous platelet aggregation. The latter, in turn, reduces the risk of thrombus formation in individuals who have problems with cerebral circulation.

In addition, Phenibut has anticonvulsant and antioxidant properties.

Pharmacokinetics

When penetrating the body, the drug is quickly absorbed, after which it is distributed within various tissues. The active element easily penetrates the BBB. About 0.1% of the consumed dose of the drug penetrates into the brain tissue.

The drug is evenly distributed within the kidneys and liver. Biotransformation of the active component by 80-95% occurs within the liver tissue. The resulting metabolic substances have no medicinal activity.

The drug does not accumulate inside the body. The process of excretion of the substance begins approximately 3 hours after taking the drug. At the same time, the level of this element inside the brain tissue does not decrease. It is detected inside the brain for another 6 hours.

Approximately 5% of the drug undergoes renal excretion unchanged. Another portion of the drug is excreted in bile.

Dosing and administration

The medicine is taken orally, in courses. The duration of such courses varies between 1-1.5 months.

Adults consume a daily dose of 0.75-1.5 g. It should be taken in 3 doses. If necessary, the dosage can be increased to 2.5 g.

No more than 0.75 g of the drug is allowed per single dose (for an adult under 60 years of age). Elderly people are prohibited from consuming more than 0.5 g of the drug per dose.

The mode of use and dosage of Phenibut in the treatment of various pathologies.

People who experience dizziness due to the development of otitis media, as well as those who have been diagnosed with padalemixia, need to take the drug in the following regimen:

• during exacerbations, tablets should be taken in the amount of 0.75 g, 3 times a day for 5-7 days;
• after the severity of signs of vestibular dysfunction decreases, the dose is reduced to 0.25-0.5 g, taken 3 times a day (in a similar dose, the medicine also needs to be taken for 5-7 days);
• After this, the therapy lasts another 5 days, and the drug is taken in a daily dose of 0.25 g.

If the disease is of a fairly mild severity, the daily dosage of the drug may be 0.5 g - it is taken over a period of 5-7 days (the dosage itself should be divided into 2 doses). After this, the therapy should last for about 1-3 weeks - during this period, the drug is taken in a daily dose of 0.25 g.

To get rid of dizziness that arose against the background of vascular diseases or injuries, Phenibut is used in a daily dose of 0.75 g. It is divided into 3 separate uses. Often this course lasts about 14 days.

To eliminate osteochondrosis in the thoracic/cervical spine or remove signs of female menopause, the drug should be used in combination with other treatment procedures.

During the initial 2 weeks of the course, the medicine is taken 3 times a day, 1 tablet (the daily dose of the medicine is 0.75 g). Later, the number of doses is reduced to 2, still 1 tablet per dose (the daily dose will be 0.5 g).

If the disease has a moderate pain syndrome, in case of a vertebral disease or menopause, the drug is prescribed in combination with other drugs - 1 tablet taken 2 times a day (in total, the daily dose is 0.5 g). This course should last for 1 month.

Like other similar drugs, Phenibut is used for prevention, to prevent the development of the so-called motion sickness syndrome, which occurs when traveling by water or when flying on an airplane.

In such cases, it is necessary to take the drug once - approximately 1 hour before the planned start of the trip (or when the first signs of motion sickness occur). The optimal portion size is 0.25-0.5 g (or 1-2 tablets). The severity of the drug's effect depends on the dose size.

But it is important to keep in mind that if pronounced signs of motion sickness develop (such as severe vomiting), a dosage of 0.75-1 g will not produce any effect.

Prevention of the development of symptoms of motion sickness in airborne diseases is carried out according to the scheme indicated above.

Use of the drug for therapy in children.

Children aged 8-14 years should take the medicine in a daily dose of 0.75 g - in 3 doses, 0.25 g each (the volume of one tablet of the drug).

If there is such a need, it is also permissible to take the drug in the maximum permitted single dose of 0.3 g.

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Use Phenibut during pregnancy

It is prohibited to prescribe Phenibut to nursing or pregnant women. The only exceptions may be cases when the probable benefit of therapy for the woman is higher than the occurrence of complications in the fetus.

Contraindications

Main contraindications:

• the presence of intolerance to phenibut or additional elements of the drug;
• children under 8 years of age;
• acute renal failure.

Caution is necessary when prescribing to people with diseases in the digestive system, as well as with erosive and ulcerative gastrointestinal tract lesions. This group of patients should use Phenibut in reduced dosages, because it can have an irritating effect on the mucous membranes.

Side effects Phenibut

Side effects usually occur only at the initial stages of treatment. Patients often experience increased drowsiness, headaches and nausea, as well as changes in blood pressure.

Taking the drug may also cause the following negative effects:

• increased feelings of excitement, anxiety, and irritability;
• the appearance of dizziness;
• development of individual signs of allergy.

Overdose

As a result of the development of intoxication, the victim usually experiences the following negative symptoms: vomiting, increased feeling of drowsiness, kidney failure, nausea, and decreased blood pressure.

To eliminate these disorders, the patient's stomach must be washed and the required symptomatic procedures must be performed. The medicine does not have a special antidote.

Since Phenibut is a substance with a low level of toxicity, only its prolonged use in very high doses (7-14 g per day) can lead to the appearance of hepatotoxic symptoms.

For example, a patient's number of eosinophils in the peripheral blood increases beyond the permissible norm, and at the same time, hepatic steatosis may appear (this is a chronic disease that occurs due to the accumulation of a large number of triglycerides in the liver tissue and manifests itself in the form of fatty degeneration of liver cells).

Interactions with other drugs

In order to mutually enhance the effectiveness of the medicinal effect, it is allowed to combine Phenibut with other psychotropic drugs. But it should be taken into account that in this case the dose of both drugs should be reduced.

The drug is capable of potentiating and prolonging the effects of sleeping pills, neuroleptics, anticonvulsants, and opiates.

The ability to prolong and potentiate the effectiveness of antiepileptic drugs makes Phenibut a drug of first choice when it is necessary to use nootropic treatment for people suffering from epilepsy.

The drug potentiates the effects of alcoholic beverages, as well as their toxic properties. In addition, there is evidence that its action also enhances the effect of antiparkinsonian drugs.

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Storage conditions

Phenibut should be kept in a dark, dry place, out of reach of children. Temperature indicators – maximum 25°C.

Shelf life

Phenibut can be used for 3 years from the date of manufacture of the drug.

Reviews

Phenibut receives many different (sometimes even completely polar) reviews on various medical forums. There are patients who consider the drug to be extremely effective and efficient, but there are also those who strongly criticize it, complaining about the presence of many side effects (including mental retardation, as well as a feeling of drowsiness).

Most often, doctors are asked whether the drug is addictive. This is true, but such a problem arises only in situations where the drug is taken for a long time.

At the same time, neurologists say that it is not too difficult to give up the drug - in order to avoid withdrawal syndrome, during the last 7 days of the course it is necessary to gradually reduce the size of the daily dose of the drug.

Patients often note in their reviews that the drug is not a nootropic at all, but a tranquilizer that is quite powerful in its effect, and therefore it is only allowed to be used in the presence of very serious mental disorders.

Only the attending physician can select the appropriate dosage for the patient - taking into account its size, Phenibut will either have a nootropic effect or act as a tranquilizer. This must be remembered without fail and in no case should self-medicate.

There is an opinion that the drug has a negative effect on the liver, but doctors refute this theory. Excretion of the substance through the liver is a maximum of 5% of the dose taken, so the effect of the drug on this organ will be extremely low. Negative hepatotoxic symptoms occur only with prolonged use of the drug with intake in dosages at least three times higher than recommended.

Neurologists report that the use of the drug for the treatment of infants is completely justified - if the infant has disorders in the area of the brain structures caused by difficult childbirth or pregnancy, against the background of which gestosis has arisen. It will be advisable to use Phenibut in the treatment of TBI in a child.

There is also an opinion of mothers whose children took the medicine. When taken by younger children, it was noted that all the tics of the child completely disappeared, there was an improvement in behavior and general condition, as well as normalization of sleep. But when taken by older children, no significant improvement in the condition was noted.

Often the result of therapy was insignificant or the tics took on a different form (for example, instead of muscle tics, the child began to have vocal tics).

The presence of such different reviews about the drug allows us to draw the following conclusion:

1. the medicine should be prescribed only by an experienced doctor;
2. The effectiveness of therapy is largely determined by the characteristics of the patient's body, as well as the clinical picture of the disease.