Phenibut overdose
Phenibut is the commercial name for aminophenylbutyric acid (Acidum aminophenylbutyricum). According to its chemical structure, Phenibut is a derivative of a natural inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), which explains its physiological effects.
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This drug is classified into two categories: anxiolytic and nootropic.
Anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) properties of Phenibut are manifested by its ability to reduce or completely suppress anxiety, fear, anxiety, emotional stress.
As a nootropic, Phenibut has a positive effect on the analytical and synthetic functions of the brain: it stimulates mental activity, cognitive abilities, activates learning, improves memory, increases the brain's resistance to damaging factors, including extreme stress and hypoxia. In addition, the drug alleviates the neurological consequences of craniocerebral trauma, strokes, injuries and intoxication of the spinal cord and brain, strengthens the cortical-subcortical connections.
In neurological practice, Phenibut is prescribed for a number of diseases:
- asthenic and anxious-neurotic states (anxiety, fear);
- obsessive-compulsive disorder;
- psychopathy;
- decrease in emotional and intellectual activity, concentration of attention;
- correction of functional disorders of the nervous system in pediatrics (including tics and stuttering);
- bed-wetting;
- in the complex therapy of sleep disorders, especially in elderly patients (insomnia, nightmares);
- migraine;
- rehabilitation treatment after neurological injuries and disasters;
- as a premedication to relieve anxiety before surgery or painful diagnostic procedures;
- dizziness of various origins (including diseases of the inner ear, vascular disorders and injuries);
- as a remedy for motion sickness in sea, air, carriage, automobile diseases (kinetosis).
In addition to diseases of the nervous system, Phenibut is used in the pharmacotherapy of open-angle glaucoma in ophthalmology and in the complex treatment of alcoholism (especially withdrawal symptoms, delirious and pre-relirious states) in drug addiction practice.
How much Phenibut is needed for an overdose?
Therapeutic single dose of Phenibut is 20-750 mg for adults, for children - 20-250 mg, the frequency of administration is 2-4 times a day, depending on the age and severity of the condition.
Thus, for an overdose to occur in an adult receiving the maximum daily dose, it is necessary to take more than 12 tablets per day (3000 mg), for a child - more than 4 (1000 mg).
An overdose can be triggered by taking a smaller amount of Phenibut if:
- the dose of the drug is inadequate for the symptoms of the disease;
- there is concomitant liver failure;
- the drug is taken by a child under 8 years old, a pregnant woman, an elderly patient.
Signs of overdose
An overdose of Phenibut is manifested by the following symptoms:
- drowsiness;
- apathy or, on the contrary, increased irritability;
- in some cases - agitation, anxiety, motor and speech excitement;
- sleep disorders;
- headache, dizziness;
- nausea, vomiting;
- rarely - an abrupt increase or decrease in blood pressure (BP);
- tachycardia attacks;
- sometimes - the development of allergic reactions, up to Quincke's edema.
Despite the fact that drowsiness and nausea, as a rule, are signs of an overdose, these symptoms can also appear with correct pharmacotherapy at the initial stages of treatment, as manifestations of the body's adaptation.
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First aid for overdose with Phenibut
If symptoms of Phenibut overdose appear, you must:
- Stop taking the drug immediately.
- Carry out a gastric lavage (drink 1-1.5 liters of warm water or a weak solution of potassium permanganate and induce a vomiting urge by pressing on the root of the tongue).
- Take enterosorbent (Polyphepan, Enterosgel, Polysorb, Lactofiltrum or any other).
- Take a saline laxative (magnesium sulfate).
Antidote
There is no specific antidote for Phenibut.
When is medical attention required?
You should seek medical help if:
- a child, pregnant woman or elderly person is injured;
- the victim is inhibited, inaccessible to contact or overly excited, his condition cannot be controlled;
- there are traces of blood in the vomit and feces;
- a violent allergic reaction has developed.
If it is not possible to help the victim on the spot, hospitalization is made in the neurological or toxicological department, depending on the symptoms. In severe cases, the victim is hospitalized in the intensive care unit.
Therapeutic measures in a hospital:
- forced diuresis (taking diuretics in combination with water load with abundant alkaline drink (up to 3-5 liters per day) to activate the excretion of metabolites of the drug by the kidneys);
- reception of enterosorbents;
- desensitizing therapy for allergic reactions;
- symptomatic treatment of the developed neurological complications, depending on the condition (agitation or inhibition);
- with an increase in blood pressure and heart rate (heart rate) - beta-blockers;
- with the development of gastrointestinal bleeding - filling the deficit in the volume of circulating blood (Reopolyglyukin, Gemodez), oxygen and hemostatic therapy (Etamsilat, Ditsynon), in severe cases - surgical intervention;
- with inhibition of liver function, hepatoprotectors are prescribed (Essentiale, Heptral, Karsil).
Possible consequences
Complications of Phenibut overdose can be:
- hepatic and / or renal failure;
- gastrointestinal bleeding;
- change in blood count, eosinophilia;
- fatty degeneration of liver tissue (steatosis).
Prevention
To prevent overdose with Phenibut, you must:
- carefully monitor changes in condition while taking the drug;
- do not allow self-adjustment of the dose or frequency of administration;
- do not take the drug on your own, without first consulting a specialist to decide whether it is appropriate to take and select the required dosage.
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Olesya Smolnyakova Therapy, clinical pharmacology and pharmacotherapy About the author
Education: higher, 2004 (GOU VPO "Kursk State Medical University"), specialty "General Medicine", qualification "Doctor". 2008-2012 - Postgraduate student of the Department of Clinical Pharmacology, KSMU, Candidate of Medical Sciences (2013, specialty "Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology"). 2014-2015 - professional retraining, specialty "Management in education", FSBEI HPE "KSU".
The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
