What are these drugs?
Phenazepam and Phenibut are psychotropic medications. Both drugs are available in tablet form. The main component of Phenazepam is bromodihydrochlorophenylbenzodiazepine, Phenibut is γ-amino-β-phenylbutyric acid hydrochloride.
Phenazepam is an anxiolot from the benzodiazepine group. The drug has anticonvulsant, sedative and hypnotic effects. The medicine affects the central nervous system and relaxes the muscles.
Phenibut is a phenyl derivative of phenylethylamine and GABA. It is an anxiolytic that relieves tension, eliminates anxiety and fear. The medicine normalizes sleep, increases the effectiveness of antipsychotics, narcotics and sleeping pills.
Indications for taking Phenazepam:
- Neuroses, increased anxiety, psychopathy
- Epilepsy
- Hypochondriacal syndrome
- Insomnia
- Autonomic nervous system disorder
- Hyperkinesis
- Muscle hypertonicity
- Nervous tic and so on.
Phenibut is used for similar diseases. The drug is also used for Meniere's disease, withdrawal syndrome, and stuttering in children.
Phenazepam is taken 30 minutes before meals 3 times a day in an amount of 0.5 – 10 mg. The dosage is determined by the doctor depending on the type of disease. To avoid dependence on Phenazepam, treatment should last no longer than 2 weeks.
Phenibut is taken three times a day in the amount of 250-500 mg. The highest dose for adults is 750 mg. The course of therapy is 2-6 weeks.
If there is no prescription
Nootropil
This is an over-the-counter nootropic. Stimulates brain function, thinking, memory, attention. The active substance is piracetam.
What's better? Since Phenibut’s anti-anxiety effect is higher than its nootropic effect, it is recommended to choose this drug in the following cases:
- anxiety and depression;
- for sleep disorders;
- dizziness, motion sickness;
- nervous tics;
- stuttering in children;
- vegetative-vascular dystonia;
- agitation or aggression during withdrawal from substances containing alcohol.
Afobazole
Also refers to anti-anxiety drugs, the main component of which is fabomotizole. This antipsychotic is prescribed:
- with emotional instability;
- for anxiety conditions;
- with asthenic syndrome (alcohol or drug);
- for somatic diseases (ischemia or myocardial infarction, asthma, lupus erythematosus), oncological tumors.
What's better? Although the effect of administration is similar, the drugs are not analogues; they have different compositions and active substances. The effect of Afobazole is milder and is sold without a prescription. According to patient reviews, it is noted that Phenibut is more effective.
Picamilon
This is a nootropic drug, with aminobutyric acid, but in different proportions. It is prescribed for decreased mental activity, vascular diseases, dizziness and headaches.
Let's try to compare drugs: which is better, Phenibut or Picamilon? Both improve brain function and are sedative. The difference is in the action of these drugs. For anxiety, worries, stress, and insomnia, the first drug is more effective. It is also more popular and more widely used.
Piracetam
This over-the-counter nootropic dilates blood vessels in the brain, improves cerebral circulation and brain health, and also has an antioxidant, antiplatelet, psychostimulant, anti-migraine and tranquilizing effect.
What's better? Both drugs improve memory and thought processes, but there are differences. Phenibut is more effective in treating anxiety conditions.
Anvifen
According to reviews, it is an analogue of Phenibut, a nootropic agent containing aminophenylbutyric acid. The drug also has antiplatelet, tranquilizing, antioxidant and anticonvulsant properties. Applicable in case:
- anxious, neurotic state;
- irritability, anxiety, sleep disturbances;
- to improve memory and attention;
- for motion sickness and dizziness.
The difference between Anfiven is the release form - the product is available in capsules of 25 mg, 50 mg, 125 mg and 250 mg.
Which is better Anvifen or Phenibut? The drugs have only one active ingredient. The difference is in the release form - the choice of capsules of different dosages from the analogue allows you to take the dose of the medicine more accurately. At the same time, according to patient reviews, Phenibut is a more effective, time-tested drug.
Noofen
The next analogue of Phenibut is Noofen. The composition contains the main component - aminophenylbutyric acid, available in capsules, tablets, and powder. Produced only in Latvia.
Both products have similar effects. What is the difference between the drugs? The difference between drugs is in the composition of excipients, as well as in the quality of raw materials and the production process. The quality of raw materials for the production of Phenibut is much better, and in addition, the drug is cheaper in terms of the number of capsules and active ingredient.
Phenazepam
The anti-anxiety drug is an anxiolytic, has an inhibitory effect on the structures of the brain and nervous system, relaxes muscles, and gives a hypnotic effect.
What is the difference? Which remedy is better Phenibut or Phenazepam? The drugs differ in composition and mechanism of action. The second is stronger, but causes addiction; in case of an overdose, it leads to a state close to the symptoms when taking narcotic drugs. It has many side effects and more contraindications. It can be purchased only as prescribed by a doctor, and it is prohibited in childhood.
Grandaxin
Just like Phenibut, it has an anti-anxiety effect. This is a tranquilizer containing a benzodiazepine. It is used for:
- nervous system disorders, anxiety;
- moderate depression;
- withdrawal symptoms after alcohol/drugs.
What is better Phenibut or Grandaxin? Both drugs have an anxiolytic effect - they reduce anxiety and emotional stress. Moreover, these drugs have different compositions. The second drug is more narrowly targeted, it has more contraindications and side effects, it causes excitement, and according to reviews, the positive effect comes more slowly.
Atarax
This drug belongs to the group of anxiolytics and is used:
- with increased irritability and nervousness;
- to reduce feelings of fear, panic attacks;
- for alcohol syndromes;
- for itching.
What's better? The drugs have different effects. Atarax is a sedative. Phenibut has a stronger and broader effect, it copes with insomnia, increases concentration and attention. According to patient reviews, it is better as a sedative and nootropic than its analogue.
Fenotropil
This is a drug belonging to the group of nootropic drugs. The active substance of the nootropic has the same name – phenotropil. This medicine is used for:
- diseases of the central nervous system;
- increased loads;
- deterioration of memory and attention.
What's better? The effects of the drugs are similar. But if you compare them, you can see the difference in composition, active ingredient and indications for use. For anxiety disorder, neurosis, and disrupted sleep cycle, Phenibut will be more effective.
Adaptol
This anxiolytic drug, which stimulates the production of serotonin, is used for neuroses, heart pain not associated with ischemia, menopause, and in the treatment of nicotine and alcohol addiction. Produced only in Latvia.
These medications have different compositions and different effects on the body. The first has a wider scope of application and has a stronger effect on the human body. According to doctors, it eliminates symptoms of nervous disorders better and faster. It is also better to choose Phenibut for treating a child than its analogue.
Teraligen
This antipsychotic is used for:
- anxiety, phobias, feelings of fear, panic;
- excitability and imbalance, hysteria;
- for allergic reactions.
Phenibut and Teraligen give a similar effect, but differ in their pharmacological group. The second drug has a narrower sphere of influence, but its effect on the body is stronger, and there are more side effects and contraindications. The first one is much better due to its milder effect on the body and minimal side effects.
When choosing between Phenibut and its analogues, we recommend basing it on the indications for use, contraindications, doctor’s recommendations for your disease, the quality of production and raw materials for the manufacture of the medicine and the effectiveness of the action.
Phenibut is an effective anti-anxiety and nootropic drug. If patients follow the recommendations of the attending physician, the instructions for the method and dose of use, the result is a quick, effective and lasting long-lasting effect.
This drug belongs to sports nutrition and does not require a doctor’s prescription.
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Over-the-counter analogues of Phenibut:
- Afobazole;
- Tenoten;
- Anvifen.
Why do people look for analogues?
It is now easy to abandon Phenazepam in favor of another drug: every year there are more and more analogues. Their appearance is also due to the fact that Phenazepam turned out to be a drug with numerous disadvantages: its popularity is gradually declining.
Perhaps the most important drawback, which not only experts, but also patients paid attention to, was the addiction and dependence that occurred when using pills. Discoordination that occurs after using the drug has become a real problem for older people who are at risk of injury.
Grandaxin
The main active ingredient of Grandaxin is Tofisopam. The drug has an anti-anxiety effect. This feature of Grandaxin allows it to be prescribed to patients with VSD during the daytime.
The medicine does not lead to a deterioration in concentration and does not inhibit reactions, which makes it possible not to limit the use of anxiolytics for people working in transport and with complex mechanisms.
Long-term course use of Grandaxin does not cause addiction or withdrawal symptoms. The medicine stabilizes psychological balance and is used to prevent panic attacks.
Grandaxin is prescribed if VSD is accompanied by:
- fears, nervous tension, increased fatigue, lethargy, apathy;
- depressive reaction to stressful situations;
- increased nervous excitability of women during menopause;
- pain in the chest area;
- withdrawal syndrome.
Grandaxin is not used:
- if VSD occurs with severe manifestations of depression, unmotivated aggressiveness, psychomotor agitation;
- in the first three months of pregnancy;
- if symptoms of apnea are recorded, including sleep apnea;
- when taking medications for psoriasis;
- against the background of organic brain pathology (oligophrenia, encephalopathy).
Grandaxin is one of the best drugs for the treatment of vegetative neuroses. But the medicine can cause unwanted side reactions such as headaches, sleep disturbances, allergic reactions and digestive problems. To reduce the likelihood of their occurrence, the drug is taken in the dosage prescribed by the doctor. The evening intake of Grandaxin should be no later than 17:00.
Melaxen is the most famous over-the-counter analogue
Melaxen is officially an over-the-counter analogue of Phenazepam.
Melaxen can be taken independently by those who are trying to eliminate insomnia. The drug as a whole is a chemical analogue of melatonin, a natural sleep hormone. Consequently, it acts in the body quite organically.
This means that the patient’s sleep phases are not disturbed, and sleep itself becomes restorative, complete rest.
Using Melaxen will relieve such troubles as daytime sleepiness, incoordination, nightmares and attention or memory problems.
Comparison
Although the drugs have similar indications, they are still far from the same. The active ingredients of the drugs are different, so their effect is also different. So which drug is stronger than Phenazepam or Atarax?
Of course, Phenazepam is stronger. Its action is as effective as possible, but still the drug does not eliminate the cause of the disease, but only removes its symptoms for a while. Also, after stopping the use of Phenazepam, withdrawal syndrome may develop - the body’s reaction when the symptoms that were treated at first only intensify. This process is very painful and to make it easier, you should not stop taking Phenazepam suddenly, but do it gradually under the supervision of a doctor.
Phenazepam also has very serious side effects, including coma. The drug is addictive, unlike Atarax.
If we compare Phenazepam with Atarax, the first will be more effective, and the second safer.
Strong analogue products
Phenzitate, a drug from the same group of tranquilizers, is popular today; there is practically no difference with Phenazepam and, what is important, the drugs have a similar list of contraindications. The product cannot be used in the following cases:
- severe dysfunction of the kidneys and liver,
- myasthenia gravis,
- pregnancy,
- poisoning – sleeping pills, ethyl alcohol, narcotic drugs, other tranquilizers.
Elderly people should be especially careful when taking the drug.
They are often used to treat chronic insomnia, when the cause may be hidden either in a primary sleep disorder, or in pathologies of a mental or somatic nature. The above drugs are available only with a prescription.
Atarax and Phenazepam - compatibility
The drugs have different mechanisms of action, and there is no direct contraindication to their combined use. However, they are rarely prescribed together, since they are intended, in fact, for different categories of patients. Most often, combined use is indicated for patients who continue to have sleep disturbances while taking Atarax. In this regard, Phenazepam is more effective. In this case, as a rule, Atarax is prescribed during the day, and Phenazepam only at night.
The simultaneous use of such drugs is unsafe and is possible only after consulting a specialist who will select the required doses and determine the frequency of administration.
How to recognize depression
As already mentioned, the drug helps get rid of depression, but not all of its forms. Grandaxin is taken only for mild to moderate disease with moderately severe symptoms.
During the course of the disease, several syndromes are distinguished:
- Emotional disorders: low mood, melancholy, anxiety and internal tension, pessimistic attitude; self-flagellation, lack of interest in the world around us, inability to have fun.
- Behavioral reactions: solitude, reduced activity; bad habits;
- Cognitive functions: inability to concentrate, slow thinking, decreased memory and perception; pessimistic thoughts, thoughts of suicide, low self-esteem.
- Autonomic disorders: poor sleep, appetite distortion, weakness and malaise, intestinal dysfunction; discomfort in the heart and other organs, headaches.
A specific indication for the use of the drug is reactive depression. It develops in response to the action of some traumatic factor. The condition is characterized by a consistently reduced emotional background and fixation on the problem.
The patient reproaches and blames himself for what happened, his conversations are aimed only at the problem. And, constantly analyzing it, he seeks support from those around him.
A person is worried about insomnia. And he is fully aware of his condition.
Attacks of despair and demonstrative hysterics are possible. Excitement reaches a state called “melancholic raptus.” At the same time, the person rushes about aimlessly, sobs, screams, and suicide attempts are not ruled out.
This state can be replaced by a depressive stupor, when the patient “freezes” in one position, not reacting to what is happening.
