In a review of 25 case reports of phenibut (β-phenyl-γ-aminobutyric acid) withdrawal, what were most commonly used medications to treat withdrawal symptoms?
Benzodiazepines (not otherwise specified) were most common in 17 of 25., followed by baclofen (β-(4-chlorophenyl)-γ-aminobutyric acid) in 14 of 25), and antipsychotics (NOS) in 10 of 25. Other medications included barbiturates (10) gabapentin or pregabalin (7), and alpha-2 agonists (6). Three-quarters of withdrawal patients (19 of 25) received at least two medications, with at least have receiving three different medications. The optimal treatment remains unclear.
Feldman R, Autry B, Dukes J, Lofy T, Marchetti G, Patt A, Batterman N, Theobald J. A systematic review of phenibut withdrawal focusing on complications, therapeutic approaches, and single substance versus polysubstance withdrawal. Clin Toxicol 2023, 61:11, 941-951, DOI: 10.1080/15563650.2023.2285702