Phenibut: A recreational drug with abuse potential
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The bottom line
Phenibut is used for anxiety and cognitive enhancement. It is not FDA-approved but is sold online. Common side effects include confusion, lethargy, drowsiness, dizziness, irritability, agitation, nausea, vomiting, and balance problems. Tolerance and physical dependence can develop within a relatively short time of use. Abruptly stopping can cause life-threatening withdrawal.
Prevention Tips
Store phenibut up, away and out of reach of children.
Take low doses.
Do not take daily.
Do not use long-term.
Do not combine with alcohol and other drugs with sedating effects.
Do not stop abruptly.
Get help from a health care professional to safely stop using phenibut by gradual tapering.
This Really Happened
A 25-year-old man started behaving erratically and became confused. In the emergency department, he had a decreased level of consciousness. His girlfriend said that he had ingested phenibut pills for recreational purpose bought over the internet. His respiratory rate and body temperature were low and his pupils were dilated. Cardiac and abdominal exams were normal. Chest x-ray, electrocardiogram and most of his blood and urine tests were normal. He was given naloxone (antidote for opioids) without response. He was covered with blankets and given warm IV fluids. He was admitted to the ICU where he received IV fluids and supportive care. He woke up and left against medical advice.
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What is phenibut?
Phenibut is a central nervous system depressant. Its active ingredient is beta-phenyl-GABA. It acts as a GABA-B agonist at receptors that inhibit neuronal activity in the brain and spinal cord. It is used to reduce stress and anxiety, to treat insomnia, and for alcohol withdrawal. It is abused to improve mood and sociability and to enhance cognition, focus, and memory. Supplements containing phenibut are not safe.
Is phenibut legal in the United States?
Phenibut is not FDA-approved in the United States and cannot be legally sold as a dietary supplement. It is not a federally controlled substance so you can buy and possess it. However, supplements containing phenibut are not considered safe.
Common names for phenibut
Phenibut is known by many names including fenibut, phenigam, PGaba, PhGaba, Phenigamma, Phenygam, Phenylgam, Phenyl-GABA, 4-Amino-3-phenylbutanoic acid, and others. Brand names are constantly changing, as are active ingredients.
Examples of brand names that contained phenibut at one point include Addall XL, Blackstone Labs Anesthetized, Chill6, Kavinace, Limitless, Pheni-B Ultra, Relax-All, Red Dawn, and Sleep Walker. Some have been reformulated without phenibut after receiving warning letters from the FDA that phenibut is not permitted to be formulated in dietary supplements in the US. Phenibut products sold online often contain levels of phenibut that differ from what is on the label, as well as undeclared ingredients that may increase risk of toxicity.
Side effects of phenibut
Common side effects include confusion, lethargy, drowsiness, dizziness, irritability, agitation, nausea, vomiting, and balance problems.
Can you overdose on phenibut?
Yes, you can overdose on phenibut. Overdoses can cause coma, respiratory depression, dilated pupils, increased heart rate, and decreased body temperature.
Can you grow dependent on phenibut?
Yes, you can become dependent on phenibut. There is a high risk of addiction and tolerance which means that you will need to take higher doses to achieve the same effect. Withdrawal can occur after only a few days of use. Withdrawal symptoms can be severe and include anxiety, delirium, insomnia, heart palpitations, panic attacks, hallucinations, psychosis, and tremors.
Does phenibut interact with alcohol or other drugs?
Yes, phenibut interacts with alcohol, sedatives (such as benzodiazepines like valium), opioids, gabapentinoids (such as gabapentin and pregabalin), the skeletal muscle relaxant baclofen, and GHB. These interactions increase the risk of severe drowsiness or coma. Phenibut may also decrease the effectiveness of stimulant drugs.
What to do if someone has a bad reaction to phenibut
If someone is experiencing a bad reaction to phenibut, has an overdose, or has developed symptoms after abruptly discontinuing phenibut, seek medical attention immediately. If someone swallows phenibut, or you have a question about using phenibut, use the webPOISONCONTROL® online tool to get help, or call your poison center at 1-800-222-1222. Whether online or by phone, expert guidance is always free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.
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