Phenibut

OBJECTIVE: Phenibut is a widely available gamma-aminobutyric acid B receptor agonist. When taken chronically, phenibut causes dependence and subsequent withdrawal if stopped. Baclofen, a gamma-aminobutyric acid B receptor agonist structurally related to phenibut, has been used to manage phenibut withdrawal (PW), although baclofen doses for PW are not well defined and may exceed Food and Drug Administration-approved doses. Little data described outcomes from baclofen use. METHODS: This case details a patient who experienced a seizure while on baclofen 10 mg thrice daily as monotherapy for PW and highlights a potential risk of underdosing baclofen as monotherapy in the management of PW...

The purpose of this review is to study the causes of cross-reactions of a number of drugs (mebeverine, phenibut, tropicamide, ramipril, metoprolol, phenylephrine, sertraline, chloropyramine and diphenhydramine) during the preliminary stage of laboratory diagnostics by immunochromatographic method and to propose a possible algorithm for solving this problem. Conducting a hair study in order to identify the fact of the use of psychoactive substances will increase the reliability of analytical diagnostics and reduce the likelihood of false positive results of the analysis...

Phenibut is a misused substance which has shown an increase in use over the past decade. Marketed as a "dietary supplement," it is not approved in the United States for use and is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. The substance, however, is readily available for purchase through online markets. It has a similar drug profile as alcohol, gabapentin and benzodiazepines. Clinical effects of this drug include physiologic dependence, euphoria, anxiolysis, antispasticity, sedation, and possible nootropic properties...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) represents one of the most prolific structural units widely used in the design of modern pharmaceuticals. For example, β-substituted GABA derivatives are found in numerous neurological drugs, such as baclofen, phenibut, tolibut, pregabalin, phenylpiracetam, brivaracetam, and rolipram, to mention just a few. In this review, we critically discuss the literature data reported on the preparation of substituted GABA derivatives using the Michael addition reaction as a key synthetic transformation...

Phenibut (β-phenyl-γ-aminobutyric acid), a nootropic, gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor agonist, commercially marketed for anxiolysis, is increasingly recognized for its recreational abuse potential. We present the case of a 30-year-old-male with a history of polysubstance abuse, anxiety, and depression, who presented to the Emergency Department by ambulance for altered mental status with severe agitation, requiring both sedation and mechanical ventilation. It was later discovered that he had consumed phenibut, which he purchased through the internet...

Over the last decade, the use of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) has increased. Some substances are derived from plants but an increasing number are synthetically produced. Examples include synthetic cannabinoids, synthetic cathinones, kratom, phenibut, designer opioids, and benzodiazepines. These substances have a wide variety of effects due to the varied potency with which they bind their targeted receptors. Routine immunoassay urine drug screens do not detect these substances and it is, therefore, important for clinicians to be aware of these substances to make accurate clinical diagnoses...

INTRODUCTION: Phenibut is a psychoactive drug with GABAB agonism. It remains unregulated and easily attainable in the United States, where it has become a novel drug of abuse. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 34-year-old man who used phenibut consistently for 3 years. After 6 months of use, he developed signs of dependence and failed outpatient detoxification. While taking high doses, he experienced parasomnia-like symptoms and periods of dysexecutive function...

BACKGROUND: Phenibut is a non-Food and Drug Administration-approved gamma-aminobutyric acid analog marketed in the United States as an anxiolytic, cognitive enhancer, and alcohol withdrawal treatment through online supplement vendors. In this case report, we describe a woman's self-directed detoxification with phenibut used to manage withdrawal symptoms from fentanyl and benzodiazepines in March 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. CASE: A 38-year-old woman with severe opioid, benzodiazepine, gabapentin, stimulant use disorders developed altered mental status after oral phenibut ingestion intended to help self-manage opioid and benzodiazepine withdrawal...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

INTRODUCTION: Phenibut is used to treat anxiety, insomnia, alcohol withdrawal and other conditions in Russia. The drug, however, has abuse potential and may cause lethargy, delirium, psychosis and coma. In the United States (US), the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has never approved the use of phenibut as a prescription medication, but the drug is available over-the-counter in dietary supplements. More than 80 cases of coma and death have been associated with phenibut consumption and withdrawal, and the FDA recently warned that the drug is not permitted in over-the-counter supplements...

Phenibut, a GABAB agonist structurally similar to baclofen, is not approved for medical use in the United States, but is available through internet suppliers for recreational use. Calls to poison control centers for phenibut have increased over the last five years, and there are many case reports of severe acute intoxications and withdrawals requiring hospitalization. This case report describes the autopsy and toxicology findings of a 26-year-old male found dead at home with phenibut containers on scene. Autopsy findings and routine toxicology testing were generally unremarkable...

OBJECTIVE: To identify the presence of unapproved pharmaceutical drugs in over-the-counter dietary supplements marketed to improve memory and cognitive function. METHODS: Supplements were identified by searching 2 supplement databases for products labeled as containing omberacetam, aniracetam, phenylpiracetam, or oxiracetam, 4 drugs not approved for human use in the United States. Products were purchased online and analyzed using nontargeted liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry methods...

There are many nonopioid central nervous system depressant substances that share a gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor-related mechanism of action. These sedatives-hypnotics can be indicated to treat anxiety, seizures, depression, and insomnia but are also used as substances of abuse and used to facilitate sexual assault. Barbiturates, methaqualone, and glutethimide were among the first type A GABA receptor-mediated sedative-hypnotics. Their clinical use was limited for most indications by serious adverse events and strong abuse potential but continue to be used illicitly around the world...

Background and Objectives: Phenibut (4-amino-3-phenyl-butyric acid), acting as a GABA-B receptor agonist, has a beneficial effect on anxiety. Although its medical use is not approved in western countries, it can be easily obtained worldwide via the Internet, so it spread as a substance of abuse. In recent years, some case reports have, therefore, highlighted episodes of acute toxicity or withdrawal, but it is still a largely unknown phenomenon. Methods: In this case report, a 50-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency room with psychomotor agitation, psychotic symptoms, and insomnia, and was non-responsive to treatment...

In recent years, there has been an emergence of numerous novel drugs. Such toxicity may occur in both adolescents and adults. This article discusses the opioid epidemic and several emerging opioids, including buprenorphine, loperamide, fentanyl, fentanyl derivatives, and others. Kratom, a plant occasionally used for opiate detoxification, along with the sedatives etizolam and phenibut, will be discussed. Lastly, this article discusses the phenethylamines and marijuana.

BACKGROUND: The internet allows easy access for the sales of psychoactive agents that are not regulated by the FDA. Some of those agents are used to help manage anxiety, depression and sleep, such as tianeptine, etizolam, and phenibut. These medications have the potential for abuse and potentially leading to altered mental status when intoxicated or withdrawing. This presents a challenge to clinicians who may not be aware of availability of such substances. Available literature has discussed the use of above substances individually, but how do you treat if there is use of more than one substance with different mechanisms of actions? Here we present a case of an adult male who has used all three agents simultaneously, leading to a hospital admission...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

Background : Originally believed to be an atypical antidepressant acting at serotonin transporters, tianeptine is now known to also be an atypical agonist at mu-opioid receptors. Its nonmedical use may be increasing amidst the broader context of novel drug and supplement use. Objectives : To analyze social-media text from current, former, and prospective tianeptine users for better understanding of their conceptualizations of tianeptine, motives for and patterns of use, and reported benefits and harms. Methods : Reddit posts were obtained and thematically coded; additional quantitative analyses were conducted...