Phenibut

Phenibut, sold under the brand names Anvifen, Fenibut, and Noofen among others, is a central nervous system depressant with anxiolytic effects, and is used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and for a variety of other indications. It is usually taken by mouth as a tablet, but may be given intravenously.

Phenibut
Clinical data
Trade namesAnvifen, Fenibut, Noofen, others
Other namesAminophenylbutyric acid; Fenibut; Fenigam; Phenigam; Phenybut; Phenygam; Phenylgamma; Phenigama; PHG; PhGABA; β-Phenyl-γ-aminobutyric acid; β-Phenyl-GABA
Routes of
administration		Common: By mouth
Uncommon: Rectal
Drug classGABA receptor agonist; Gabapentinoid
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
  • AU: S9 (Prohibited substance)
  • US: Unapproved "New Drug" (as defined by 21 U.S. Code § 321(p)(1)). Use in dietary supplements, food, or medicine is unlawful; otherwise uncontrolled.

Illegal in Alabama

  • RU: Rx-only
Pharmacokinetic data
BioavailabilityWell-absorbed
≥63% (250 mg)
MetabolismLiver (minimal)
MetabolitesInactive
Onset of actionOral: 2–4 hours
Rectal: 20–30 minutes
Elimination half-life5.3 hours (250 mg)
Duration of action15–24 hours (1–3 g)
ExcretionUrine: 63% (unchanged)
Identifiers
  • 4-Amino-3-phenylbutanoic acid
CAS Number
PubChem CID
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEMBL
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
ECHA InfoCard100.012.800
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC10H13NO2
Molar mass179.219 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
Melting point253 °C (487 °F)
  • O=C(O)CC(c1ccccc1)CN
  • InChI=1S/C10H13NO2/c11-7-9(6-10(12)13)8-4-2-1-3-5-8/h1-5,9H,6-7,11H2,(H,12,13) Y
  • Key:DAFOCGYVTAOKAJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y
  (verify)

Side effects of phenibut can include sedation, sleepiness, nausea, irritability, agitation, dizziness, euphoria and sometimes headache, among others. Overdose of phenibut can produce marked central nervous system depression including unconsciousness. The medication is structurally related to the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and hence is a GABA analogue. Phenibut is thought to act as a GABAB receptor agonist, similarly to baclofen and γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB). However, at low concentrations, phenibut mildly increases the concentration of dopamine in the brain, providing stimulatory effects in addition to the anxiolysis.

Phenibut was developed in the Soviet Union and was introduced for medical use in the 1960s. Today, it is marketed for medical use in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Latvia. The medication is not approved for clinical use in the United States and most of Europe, but it is also sold on the Internet as a supplement and purported nootropic. Phenibut has been used recreationally and can produce euphoria as well as addiction, dependence, and withdrawal. It is a controlled substance in Australia, and it has been suggested that its legal status should be reconsidered in Europe as well.

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