A psychostimulating and nootropic drug called "Phenibut" is noted for its ability to influence the state of the nerve cells of the brain, due to which this medication is in demand in the treatment of asthenia, neuroses and other problems in the work of the central nervous system. It is often prescribed for older patients for insomnia, anxiety, or anxiety. But is it possible to give Phenibut to children? For what diseases is this remedy used in childhood, in what doses is it prescribed and what analogues can be replaced if the drug did not have the desired effect or the patient developed an allergy?
Release form
The medicine is produced by several pharmaceutical companies in Russia, Belarus and Latvia only in solid form. It is a small round tablet that is white or yellowish in color. There is a risk on one side of the drug by which it can be halved. This medication is packaged in blisters of 10 and sold in boxes of 10, 20, 30 or more tablets.
Composition
The main component of "Phenibut", which provides the medicinal properties of the tablets, is called aminophenylbutyric acid. It is contained in the preparation in the form of hydrochloride, and the dosage of such an acid in one tablet is 250 mg (half contains 125 mg).
The auxiliary compounds differ from manufacturer to manufacturer and are represented by calcium stearate, milk sugar, microcrystalline cellulose, potato starch and other substances.
If a child has an intolerance to such components, the composition of the purchased "Phenibut" must be specified on its packaging or in the paper instructions attached to the tablets
Operating principle
"Phenibut" is referred to as a nootropic drug, since such a drug can affect the state of the central nervous system, normalizing metabolic processes and blood flow in the brain tissues. This is due to the ability of aminophenylbutyric acid to affect the transmission of impulses in nerve cells.
The drug has antioxidant properties, and also helps to get rid of anxiety and fears. This action is called anxiolytic, and its presence makes it possible to classify "Phenibut" as a tranquilizer, albeit a weak one. When using tablets, the severity of vasovegetative symptoms decreases, which include irritability, frequent mood swings, headaches, sleep problems, a feeling of heaviness in the head and other ailments.
After a course of treatment with "Phenibut", working capacity (both physical and mental) increases. The medicine has a positive effect on attention, accuracy and speed of reactions, memory. Under its influence, asthenic manifestations are eliminated, well-being improves, initiative and interest in new knowledge increases. The drug reduces anxiety and tension, and also normalizes sleep.
Indications
"Phenibut" is prescribed for:
- nervous tic;
- insomnia and nightmares;
- dizziness caused by vestibular disorders;
- asthenic state (complaints of apathy, feeling of exhaustion, constant lethargy, and so on);
- enuresis;
- stuttering;
- labyrinth;
- Meniere's disease;
- motion sickness syndrome (kinetosis);
- anxious and neurotic states.
From what age is it allowed to take?
In the annotation to "Phenibut", most manufacturers indicate that such a remedy is not used to treat patients under 3 years of age. Some companies note the age of 8 years as a contraindication, since it is from this age that a dosage of 250 mg is indicated.
In practice, neurologists can prescribe such pills for younger children, but up to 2 years of age, they are prescribed extremely rarely, trying to avoid the harmful effects of the medication on the immature nervous system of babies.
The use of the drug in schoolchildren and adolescents without the advice of a specialist is not recommended.
Contraindications
"Phenibut" is not prescribed for children who are hypersensitive to aminobutyric acid or any other ingredient in the tablets. If there is lactose in the medication (this should be clarified in the annotation to the selected drug), the medication is prohibited for patients with a lack of it. Children with ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as with liver diseases, require caution in the treatment with Phenibut, since the medication can irritate the gastric mucosa, and high doses of the drug are hepatotoxic.
Side effects
While taking "Phenibut", various negative reactions of the body may appear, for example: dizziness, nausea, skin rash or drowsiness. A very long-term use of the drug can negatively affect the state of the liver and hematopoiesis, therefore, with a long course of therapy, it is recommended to weekly control blood tests (the number of cells and the level of liver enzymes).
If the child's body reacted to the medication with any negative symptoms, you should stop giving the pills and consult a doctor.
Dosage
To exclude a harmful effect on the stomach, the medicine is taken after meals, swallowing a tablet and drinking it with water. For patients 3-8 years old, doses from 50 to 150 mg are recommended. In many cases, a child under eight years of age "Phenibut" is prescribed 125 mg, that is, half a tablet at a time. A child of 8-14 years old is given the medicine in a single dose of 250 mg (a whole tablet). For adolescents over 14 years old, adult doses are used - 250-500 mg per dose.
In such dosages, the medication should be taken three times a day, and the course of treatment often lasts 2-3 weeks. In childhood, more than 4 weeks, such a medicine is not prescribed in order to exclude addiction. Repeated intake of "Phenibut" is possible only after a break of 2-4 weeks. For the prevention of motion sickness, the drug is given in a dose of 250-500 mg one hour before the trip or if you feel unwell during the trip (but only at the first signs of motion sickness, since Phenibut is ineffective in case of severe symptoms).
When treating various neurological disorders, the medicine is given immediately in the dose prescribed by the neurologist, pediatrician or other specialist. There is no need to gradually increase the dosage at the beginning of treatment, but they strongly advise against abolishing the medication - the well-known pediatrician Komarovsky also talks about this. If you refuse to take it right away, negative symptoms may appear, to eliminate which the child was given pills.
This is due to the mechanism of action of "Phenibut", because such a remedy is a source of metabolites that are not produced by brain cells during the period of therapy. In the event of an abrupt termination of treatment, nerve cells do not have time to take on the task of synthesizing such metabolites immediately, which is manifested by the return of negative symptoms. With gradual withdrawal, this does not happen, because brain cells adapt to the changes. That is why the physician must prescribe a dosage reduction regimen for the last week.
Overdose
"Phenibut" is classified as a low-toxic agent, cases of overdose of such a drug have not been diagnosed until this time. In theory, a very high dose of medication can cause nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, or vomiting. In such situations, it is recommended to flush the stomach and prescribe symptomatic remedies to the child.
Interaction with other drugs
Phenibut is noted for its properties to enhance the effect of hypnotics and drugs for epilepsy, as well as narcotic analgesics and neuroleptics. If the medication is prescribed together with the indicated means, the dosages should be lower than the standard ones. It is also important to monitor the patient's condition if, in addition to Phenibut, he takes drugs that may have a negative effect on the blood system or liver condition.
Terms of sale
To buy "Phenibut" for a child in a pharmacy, you must first show the little patient to the doctor, since such a remedy is sold with a prescription. The cost of the medication is affected by the number of tablets in the package and the manufacturing company. On average, the price of 20 Russian-made "Phenibut" tablets is 100-120 rubles, for a Latvian drug - about 400 rubles.
Storage conditions
Keep the tablets at home in a dry place, where the high temperature will not act on the medication (above +30 degrees). Such a place should also be hidden from young children. The shelf life of tablets is usually 3 years and is indicated on the box or on the blister.
If the date marked on the drug has passed, it is prohibited to give such medicine to children.
Reviews
Most of the reviews of doctors and parents about "Phenibut" are positive and confirm the good effect of the pills in case of nervous tics, stuttering and other problems with the nervous system. According to mothers, the remedy begins to act quite quickly, and after a course of such a medicine, the child's memory improved, irritability disappeared, and sleep became calmer and more high-quality.
Negative reviews about "Phenibut" are about 1/3. In some of them, parents complain about the lack of a therapeutic effect, in others, on the contrary, they note side reactions in the form of increased anxiety, dizziness, irritability, headaches and other symptoms from the central nervous system. In some patients, the medication irritates the digestive tract.
In addition, many mothers consider the drug very strong and are afraid to give it to children, especially at an early age, since psychological addiction often develops to the pills. In addition, the cost of a course of treatment with a drug from some manufacturers (for example, from the Latvian company "Olainfarm") is called too high, and the quality of less expensive analogs remains dissatisfied.
Analogs
If it is required to replace Phenibut with a similar medicine, Anvifen is often prescribed, because its action provides the same active substance. This medication is available in capsules containing 25 to 250 mg of aminophenylbutyric acid. For children, he is discharged from the age of three with the same indications as Phenibut, as well as in the same dosages.
Another analogue of "Phenibut" containing aminophenylbutyric acid is "Noofen". Such a medicine is also presented in capsules, but in only one dosage (250 mg of the active ingredient in each), therefore it is prescribed for children over 8 years old.
Instead of "Phenibut" the doctor may prescribe another remedy from the group of nootropics or anxiolytics.
- "Pantogam". This drug, which contains hopantenic acid, is prescribed for children with stuttering, ADHD, mental retardation, epilepsy, and other illnesses. In the form of a syrup, it can be given even to infants, and in tablets it is prescribed from 3 years old. Its analogue is Pantocalcin tablets, which are also used from the age of three.
- "Glycine". This tablet contains an amino acid that has been shown to have beneficial effects on brain health and sleep. This medicine can be prescribed from birth.
- Afobazol. The action of these tablets provides fabomotizol, which is effective for anxiety, severe stress and sleep problems. Although they are contraindicated in childhood, neuropathologists can prescribe this medication from 10-12 years of age if indicated.
- Semax... Such a nootropic agent is released in the form of nasal drops and in a concentration of 0.1%, used from 7 years. He is prescribed for RRR, hyperexcitability, sleep disturbances and other neurological problems.
- Cortexin. This medication is prescribed to patients of any age, but it is available only in injectable form. The drug is in demand for developmental delay, encephalopathy and other diseases of the central nervous system.
- "Tenoten Children's"... Such a drug with a sedative effect is homeopathic and is used for hyperactivity, neurosis, stress and other problems. It is produced in the form of sugary lozenges and is prescribed for children over the age of three.
- "Adaptol"... According to the instructions, such mebikar-based tablets should not be used in children, but many neuropathologists prescribe them to patients over 9-10 years old if the child has indications for such treatment.
About "Phenibut" for children, see the next video.
