Phenibut

The best phenibut analogues for adults without a prescription. The drugs are perfect for coping with symptoms of depression and stabilizing the emotional background.

Phenibut is a modern, inexpensive and effective drug that allows you to overcome stress, overexertion and a number of neurotic disorders. Despite its availability and effectiveness, the medicine in some cases is not suitable for frequent use, so it must be replaced with an analogue. The doctor will tell you which option is better in a particular case. In the meantime, it is necessary to pay attention to optimal solutions that can become an alternative.

Where can I buy it without a prescription?

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Just a year ago, Phenibut could be easily purchased at any pharmacy without a prescription. But specialists from the Ministry of Health made a different decision, not allowing the sale of the drug without a document. This is due to the fact that people use the drug uncontrollably, which provokes addiction and a lot of side effects that provoke a worsening of the condition. Therefore, in retail trade through pharmacies, phenibut is sold only with a prescription.

In April of this year the situation changed a little. According to amendments made to regulations, phenibut can be purchased without a prescription in an online pharmacy:

• To do this, you need to go to the website and add the product to your cart.
• After this, the customer service will place the order and transfer it to the delivery service.

The courier will deliver the order to the specified address without requiring a prescription in return. This approach is convenient and allows you to avoid unnecessary trips to pharmacies.

Analogs

The drug is perfect for coping with symptoms of depression, stabilizing the emotional background and stimulating the activity of the central nervous system. In this regard, it is often prescribed as a nootropic, sedative and antidepressant drug.

Phenibut is not suitable for everyone and not always as the main medicine in mono- and complex therapy. There are situations when an analogue is used. If necessary, you can select the appropriate option.

Each is similar to the original drug in properties or in the main active ingredient. The doctor will tell you what to prefer, focusing on the patient’s condition and the overall picture of the disease.

Over-the-counter

Phenibut, like most of its analogues, can only be purchased with a prescription. This is due to the maximum dosage of the active substance - aminophenylbutyric acid, which, if taken uncontrolled, will provoke a deterioration in the activity of the central nervous system.

There are analogs of phenibut that are similar in spectrum of action to it, but are sold without a prescription. Here are the main ones:

• Nootropil

This drug belongs to the category of nootropics. It perfectly stimulates cognitive functions: it activates memory, attention, and stimulates thinking. This is an analogue of the drug Phenibut in terms of the spectrum of action, since in this case the active component is piracetam. Anti-anxiety properties are more pronounced. But nootropil, in some cases, is able to better cope with the task. It is used to treat depression, insomnia, dizziness, nervous tics, and stuttering in children.

• Picamilon

This analogue of the drug phenibut also contains aminophenylbutyric acid, only in a reduced dosage. Therefore, the medicine is prescribed as a sedative. It is also suitable for enhancing cognitive abilities during periods of high mental stress. The product is popular among consumers because it has minimal side effects on the body.

• Piracetam

This analogue of phenibut is used in neurology as an excellent nootropic to improve cerebral circulation. In addition, the drug has a sedative, tranquilizing, and stimulating effect on the central nervous system. As for effectiveness, aminophenylbutyric acid has a more successful effect on the body during anxiety conditions.

This is the main list of nootropic, sedative and antidepressant analogues that will replace phenibut in the absence of a prescription for its purchase.

Comparative characteristics

Comparative characteristics will help you evaluate whether Phenibut or its analogues are better.

Anvifen - Phenibut in new packaging

Anvifen has similar properties; the drug contains the same active ingredient - aminophenylbutyric acid. Both drugs are prescribed for the following symptoms:

• eliminating feelings of anxiety, fear;
• for severe headaches, dizziness;
• for sleep disorders, insomnia;
• increased fatigue;
• for stress and severe irritability and other mental disorders.

Both drugs have the same effect. The difference is that Anvifen is an updated medicine, and its cost is also slightly higher compared to Phenibut - 260-270 rubles.

Noofen is suitable for children

Phenibut and Noofen have the same properties; they contain the same active substance - aminophenylbutyric acid. Both drugs are prescribed to eliminate feelings of fear, anxiety, irritability, fatigue, and emotional stress.

In addition, they help normalize sleep, relieve nightmares and insomnia. Helps with nervous disorders in children - enuresis, tics, stuttering. Eliminate disorders of the vestibular apparatus. The only difference is that Noofen is approved for children over 3 years old.

Phenibut or Afobazole?

Both drugs have similar actions, but different composition. Afobazole's active substance is fabomotizole, and Phenibut's is aminophenylbutyric acid.

Both drugs are classified as tranquilizers. They have the same effect, eliminating tension, fatigue, irritation, fear, anxiety, neuroses, neurasthenia.

In addition, they help with sleep disorders, relieve insomnia, and psychosomatic disorders. Which of these remedies is best should be determined by the doctor. The course and dosage of drugs is also prescribed by the doctor.

Tenoten is suitable for almost everyone

Both drugs have nootropic, antidepressant, and anti-anxiety effects. The products help eliminate various nervous conditions, tension, fatigue, increase efficiency, mental activity, and improve memory.

Tenoten, unlike Phenibut, can be taken in the early stages of pregnancy. It has a calming effect, but does not have a harmful effect on the child.

To increase the effectiveness of Phenibut, it can be taken in combination therapy with other psychotropic drugs. When taken together with other drugs, the dosage should be reduced.

For adults

The drug is recommended for use for the treatment of various types of neurotic disorders 3 times a day after meals. In this case, there is no need to chew the tablet, since it is placed in a gelatin shell, which allows the drug to be successfully absorbed in the body. It is better to take the medicine after meals, with plenty of clean drinking water. Regular use of phenibut on an empty stomach can cause diseases of the digestive system.

How many tablets per day can you take? The answer to this question will be given by the doctor, based on the clinical picture of the patient’s condition. Typically, the doctor recommends adults take from 250 to 500 mg per day. But there are situations when, in order to achieve the required therapeutic effect, the amount of the drug is increased to 750 mg.

The dosage for adults is prescribed based on the characteristics of the disease for the treatment of which phenibut is preferred:

• To get rid of insomnia, take one tablet 2 times a day.
• For the treatment of migraine, adults are prescribed half a tablet once a day. If an attack begins, you can additionally take the same amount of the drug.
• To increase cognitive functions during severe mental stress, the doctor prescribes a tablet with a dosage of 250 mg per day. The course of treatment lasts 6 weeks.

The drug cannot be combined with alcohol. Therefore, during the period of treatment you should refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages.

Anvifen

This is a complete analogue of phenibut in composition. Here, as in the main drug, the main active ingredient is aminophenylbutyric acid. When wondering which is better - Anvifen or Phenibut, the answer is that there is not much difference. This analogue is successfully used as an antidepressant, sedative and stimulant drug for the following types of disorders:

• Insomnia;
• State of increased anxiety;
• Stuttering and enuresis in children;
• Migraine;
• Dizziness;
• Seasickness.

The analogue is not suitable for treating children under 3 years of age, pregnant and lactating women. It is used with caution in patients with liver failure.

Phenibut or Pantogam - which is better?

Manufacturer: PIK-pharma, Russia
Release form: capsules, tablets, syrup

Active ingredient: calcium hopantenate

Synonyms: Gopantam, Hopanthenic acid, Gopantomide, Pantocalcin

Pantogam is a very close analogue of Phenibut in terms of nootropic effects. The drug does not have tranquilizing and anxiolytic effects. The medicine helps improve metabolism in brain tissue and has a mild sedative effect.

Indications for Pantogam are distinguished by the ability to prescribe the drug for brain damage, epilepsy, sclerotic lesions, developmental delay in children and other pathologies. The drug cannot be considered a complete replacement for Phenibut.

Pantogam

This analogue is similar to phenibut in its spectrum of action. It also has a sedative and mild stimulating effect on the body, since it affects the receptor-channel complex of the central nervous system. The main active ingredient is gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). A phenibut substitute allows you to cope with a number of diseases of the central nervous system:

• Psycho-emotional stress;
• Enuresis;
• Epilepsy;
• Schizophrenia;
• Parkinson's disease.

Pantogam or Phenibut? The first drug has a wide spectrum of action for the treatment of diseases associated with disorders of the central nervous system. Moreover, it is suitable for treating infants. Phenibut is used to treat a narrower range of neurotic disorders in older children and adults.

Phenibut or Noofen - which is better?

Manufacturer: Olaifarm, Latvia
Release form: capsules

Active ingredient: aminophenylbutyric acid

Synonyms: Phenibut, Bifren, Anvifen

Noofen is a complete substitute for Phenibut. Available from pharmacies with a prescription, it has completely identical properties and composition. The product is used internally in the form of capsules.

The differences between analogues are only in the manufacturers. Noofen is quite expensive.

Afobazole

This is an analogue that is similar in spectrum of action, since the main active ingredient in this case is fabomotizol.

The drug is successfully used to treat the following diseases:

• Anxiety;
• Emotional instability;
• Alcohol or drug syndrome;
• Ischemia;
• Myocardial infarction;
• Oncological diseases.

Phenibut or Afobazole? The second option is softer in composition and range of effects, perfect for use as part of complex therapy. It can be purchased at a pharmacy without a prescription. But phenibut is more effective for treating serious disorders of the central nervous system.

Over-the-counter analogues of Phenibut available in Russia

Many anti-anxiety medications are sold in pharmacies without a prescription from a doctor, but do not forget when purchasing over-the-counter analogues of Phenibut that self-medication is fraught with serious consequences for the patient. Before purchasing medications, you should consult a specialist.

Afobazole

Afobazole is an anti-anxiety drug based on the main component fabomotizole, an anxiolytic, which is not a drug of the benzodiazepine group.

A Phenibut substitute is prescribed for the following central nervous system conditions:

• alcohol or drug asthenic syndrome;
• generalized anxiety disorders;
• lupus erythematosus;
• myocardial ischemia or infarction;
• asthma;
• cardiac arrhythmia and hypertension;
• oncological malignant neoplasms;
• dermatological diseases of neurological etiology.

Description of the drug

Afobazol is also prescribed for:

• PMS;
• neurocirculatory dystonia, as well as during the period of smoking cessation.

Afobazole is not prescribed in pediatrics under 18 years of age, during pregnancy and lactation, as well as for those patients who are intolerant to the components of the drug and lactose.

Afobazole tablet is taken after meals. The standard dosage is 10 mg at a time, and 30 mg per day. The duration of the medication course is 14-28 days. Individually, the doctor can increase the dosage per day to 60 mg and the duration of treatment to 3 months.

Mechanism of action of Afobazole

Negative reactions of the body to treatment with Afobazole:

• weakness and fatigue of the body;
• headache;
• dermatological allergic manifestations;
• arrhythmia and shortness of breath;
• runny nose.

Phenazepam

This analogue has a sedative effect on the body through its effect on parts of the brain and the central nervous system. It helps to relax the body and overcome insomnia.

Phenibut or phenazepam? The second option has a stronger effect compared to phenibut. But even at the same time, it is addictive with prolonged use. And its overdose puts the patient into a state of euphoria, which is observed in patients with drug addiction. The medicine is sold by prescription only and should not be used to treat children.

Phenibut or Grandaxin - which is better and stronger for anxiety

Manufacturer: EGIS Pharmaceutical, Hungary
Release form: tablets

Active ingredient: tofisopam

Synonyms: Tofisopam

Grandaxin belongs to the benzodiazepine prescription tranquilizers. The structure of the active substance has been slightly changed, which has reduced the likelihood of addiction and dependence even with long-term use of this analogue.

Replacement with such a remedy is carried out only under strict indications under the supervision of a doctor. The effects of treatment with this medicine are stronger and more pronounced.

Atarax

This analogue is successfully used to treat the following conditions:

• Irritability;
• Emotional instability;
• Anxiety;
• Panic attacks;
• Alcoholic asthenia.

The phenibut substitute is considered to be an effective anxiolytic, so it is actively used as a good sedative. Which is better - atarax or phenibut? The latter has a strong and wide spectrum of action, so it is used as a nootropic, sedative and antidepressant.

Grandaxin

The main active ingredient is benzodiazepine. Just like phenibut, this analogue is an anxiolytic. It is used to treat the following ailments:

• Disturbances in the activity of the central nervous system;
• Depression;
• Asthenic syndrome due to alcohol or drug use.

Grandaxin or Phenibut? Both drugs have a calming and sedative effect on the body. Moreover, the first option has a greater number of contraindications, side effects and is characterized by a narrowly targeted effect.

Adaptol

This analogue has an anxiolytic effect by stimulating the production of serotonin. It is successfully used to treat neuroses, and is suitable as an adjuvant for the treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system. The substitute is prescribed to get rid of nicotine and alcohol addiction.

The drug, similar in properties to phenibut, is produced in Latvia, hence its higher price. Adaptol or Phenibut? Doctors consider the second option more preferable, since it is stronger in terms of the degree of impact. At the same time, it has a minimal number of side effects and is suitable for use in pediatrics.

Instructions:

Clinical and pharmacological group

02.048 (Nootropic drug with anxiolytic activity)

pharmachologic effect

The nootropic agent is gamma-amino-beta-phenylbutyric acid hydrochloride. Facilitates GABA-mediated transmission of nerve impulses to the central nervous system (direct effect on GABA receptors), and also has an anxiolytic, psychostimulating, antiplatelet and antioxidant effect.

Improves the functional state of the brain by normalizing tissue metabolism and influencing cerebral circulation (increases the volumetric and linear velocity of cerebral blood flow, reduces cerebral vascular tone, improves microcirculation, and has an antiplatelet effect). Helps reduce or eliminate feelings of anxiety, tension, restlessness and fear, normalizes sleep, and has some anticonvulsant effect.

Does not affect cholinergic and adrenergic receptors.

Extends the latent period and shortens the duration and severity of nystagmus.

Reduces manifestations of asthenia and vasovegetative symptoms (including headache, feeling of heaviness in the head, sleep disturbances, irritability, emotional lability), increases mental performance.

Improves psychological indicators (attention, memory, speed and accuracy of sensory-motor reactions).

When taken as a course, it increases physical and mental performance, improves memory, and normalizes sleep; improves the condition of patients with motor and speech disorders. Patients with asthenia feel better from the first days of therapy; increases interest and initiative (motivation of activity) without sedation and excitement. When used after severe TBI, it increases the number of mitochondria in the perifocal areas and improves the course of bioenergetic processes in the brain.

In case of neurogenic lesions of the heart and stomach, it normalizes the processes of lipid peroxidation. In older people it does not cause workload and excessive lethargy; the relaxing aftereffect is most often absent. Improves microcirculation in the tissues of the eye, reduces the inhibitory effect of ethanol on the central nervous system. Low toxic.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption is high, penetrates well into all tissues of the body and through the BBB (about 0.1% of the administered dose of the drug penetrates into brain tissue, and in young and elderly people to a much greater extent). Evenly distributed in the liver and kidneys. Metabolized in the liver - 80-95%, metabolites are pharmacologically inactive. Does not accumulate. After 3 hours it begins to be excreted by the kidneys, while the concentration in the brain tissue does not decrease and it is detected in the brain for another 6 hours. About 5% is excreted unchanged by the kidneys, partially with bile.

Dosage

Inside, regardless of food intake. The dose, frequency of administration and duration of treatment depend on the indications, age of the patient, and tolerability. A single dose for adults varies from 20 mg to 750 mg, for children - from 20 mg to 250 mg.

Drug interactions

Extends and enhances the effect of sleeping pills, narcotic analgesics, antiepileptic, antipsychotic and antiparkinsonian drugs.

Use during pregnancy and lactation

Use with caution during pregnancy and lactation.

Side effects

From the side of the central nervous system: increased irritability, agitation, anxiety, dizziness, headache, drowsiness.

From the digestive system: nausea (at first doses).

Allergic reactions: skin rash, itching.

Indications

Asthenic and anxious-neurotic states, anxiety, fear, obsessive-compulsive neurosis, psychopathy. Stuttering and tics in children, enuresis. Urinary retention due to myelodysplasia. Insomnia and nightmares in the elderly. Prevention of anxiety states that arise before surgical interventions and painful diagnostic tests (premedication).

Meniere's disease, dizziness associated with dysfunctions of the vestibular analyzer of various origins (including otogenic labyrinthitis, vascular and traumatic disorders); prevention of motion sickness during kinetosis.

Primary open-angle glaucoma (as part of combination therapy).

As an auxiliary therapy in the treatment of alcoholism (for the relief of psychopathological and somatovegetative disorders during withdrawal syndrome).

Treatment of predelirious and delirious states in alcoholism (in combination with conventional detoxification agents).

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to phenibut.

special instructions

Use with caution in case of erosive and ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, liver failure.

With long-term use, it is necessary to monitor liver function indicators and peripheral blood patterns.

Ineffective for severe symptoms of motion sickness (including uncontrollable vomiting, dizziness).

Impact on the ability to drive vehicles and operate machinery

During the treatment period, it is necessary to refrain from potentially dangerous activities that require increased attention and high speed of psychomotor reactions.

Noofen

This drug is identical in composition. Therefore, it is also successfully used to treat the following diseases:

• Impaired cognitive functions;
• Enuresis;
• Insomnia;
• Migraine.

Phenibut or Noofen? Doctors are inclined to favor the first option because it is safer and better than the alternative option. Phenibut is made from higher quality raw materials than its substitute.

Instructions for use

Before starting to take Phenibut, you should consult a doctor, read the instructions, and only then begin treatment.

Here are the main features of taking the drug:

• Drink in short courses. Typically, the period of admission lasts from 2 to 6 weeks. After this, the doctor may take a break from treatment and then continue the treatment again.
• The break between courses is an important point. This approach avoids addiction. Therefore, at least 2 weeks should pass between doses of phenibut.
• You can drink the full dosage immediately. This medicine does not require a gradual increase in the amount of the drug during the course of treatment.
• To avoid the onset of “withdrawal syndrome”, stop using phenibut gradually. First they switch to half, then to a quarter of the tablet, and then stop taking the medicine altogether.
• Phenibut, when taken uncontrolled and in excess of the dosage, has a negative effect on hematopoietic function and the condition of the liver. Therefore, during treatment, it is recommended to undergo regular tests to monitor the condition of vital organs.
• If you experience stomach pain while taking it, it is necessary to reduce the dosage of the medicine taken.

The drug should not be taken immediately before travel. Phenibut has relaxing properties and a powerful effect on the central nervous system. Therefore, after taking phenibut while traveling, you may feel motion sick.

Contraindications

Phenibut has a minimal range of side effects. But there are situations when the drug should not be used:

• Pregnancy;
• Breastfeeding period;
• Infancy;
• Kidney failure;
• Stomach ulcer;
• Intestinal diseases.

These are the main conditions of the body in which taking phenibut is contraindicated. If your health worsens while using the medication, you should discuss the situation with your doctor.