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A Systematic Review of Phenibut Withdrawals
Christopher Stewart1, Hunter Simonsen1, Savitha K Satyasi2
1Medicine, Kansas City University, Joplin, USA.
Cureus
|October 8, 2024
Summary
Phenibut, a GABA mimetic supplement, poses significant withdrawal risks, especially in males with a history of substance abuse. Healthcare providers must screen for its use to prevent misuse and adverse events.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Phenibut is an anxiolytic agent and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) mimetic, stimulating GABA receptors.
- Despite its potential for abuse and sedative effects, it's accessible online as a supplement in Western countries.
- Phenibut is not officially registered or prescribed in the United States, lacking usage guidelines.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review case reports of phenibut withdrawal symptoms.
- To analyze patient demographics, dosages, and co-occurring conditions associated with phenibut misuse.
- To underscore the importance of physician education on supplement risks and patient history taking.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of case reports on phenibut withdrawal.
- Searched PubMed database for articles published between January 2010 and October 2023.
- Included 15 articles after applying inclusion criteria; analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Main Results:
- The average age of patients experiencing phenibut withdrawal was 31.8 years, with 87% being male.
- Average dosage was 13.6 g/day; 60% presented to emergency departments.
- Common patient history included alcohol/drug abuse (73%) and anxiety/depression (60%).
Conclusions:
- Phenibut misuse can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms, particularly in individuals with a history of substance abuse.
- Physicians need education on the risks of unregulated supplements like phenibut.
- Thorough patient history, including supplement use, is crucial for preventing phenibut misuse and managing withdrawal.
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