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Research reference

Russian-Language Phenibut Studies

Phenibut was developed, tested and prescribed in the Soviet Union for roughly thirty years before Western medicine took an interest in it. That work was published in Russian, and English-language reviews have largely set it aside — Penzak and Bulloch retrieved 270 records for their 2024 review and excluded 162 of them on language grounds. This page indexes what is recoverable.

What this page is

A bibliography, not a body of evidence. Every entry below is a real, PubMed-indexed record with an English abstract, retrieved by a reproducible query and linked to its primary source. Nothing here is a treatment recommendation, a human-use instruction, or a claim of efficacy. Several of these papers report findings that are unflattering to Phenibut.

Read this before reading the literature

In 2001 the Korsakov Journal of Neurology and Psychiatry published a methodological audit of itself. Zorin and Nemtsov, of the Moscow Research Institute of Psychiatry, found that only 15.1% of reviewed articles in that journal met criteria of scientific rigour, and only 7.4% in Social and Clinical Psychiatry. Their stated reason was the absence of adequate methodological description, which made scientific validity impossible to judge.

The Korsakov Journal is the single most important venue in this literature: Khaunina and Lapin’s clinical review appeared there, as did Gol’dblat and Lapin’s trial. So the base rate matters. “There are 179 Russian papers” is not the same as “there are 179 papers’ worth of evidence.” Read every entry below against that finding.

The corpus, in numbers

Measure Value
PubMed-indexed Russian-language records 179
Publication span 1964–2024
Years of continuous literature 60
Randomised controlled trials among them 0

By decade

Decade Records
1960s 2
1970s 2
1980s 63
1990s 36
2000s 26
2010s 40
2020s 10

Principal journals

Journal Records
Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 38
Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 37
Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny 24
Korsakov Journal of Neurology & Psychiatry 23
Zhurnal Vysshei Nervnoi Deyatel’nosti 8
Sechenov Russian Physiological Journal 7
Korsakov Journal of Neurology & Psychiatry 4
Kosmicheskaya Biologiya i Aviakosmicheskaya Meditsina 3

The founding papers

R. A. Khaunina, at the Bekhterev Institute’s Laboratory of Psychopharmacology, did the pharmacology that turned a synthesised molecule into a drug. English-language accounts routinely credit Perekalin with the synthesis and omit her entirely. Her work is indexed and retrievable today.

Year Record Why it matters PMID
1964 Tranquilizing effects of β-phenyl-γ-aminobutyric acid (Fenigam) The first publication on Phenibut’s psychoactivity 14162373
1964 Effect of β-phenyl-γ-aminobutyric acid on the central action of pharmacological agents Companion paper, same year 14193102
1986 Phenibut potentiation of the therapeutic action of antiparkinson agents Gol’dblat & Lapin. One of very few candidate clinical studies in the entire corpus; WHO characterised it as a small open-label trial 3776387
1989 Use of fenibut in psychiatry and neurology and its place among other psychotropic drugs Khaunina & Lapin’s comprehensive clinical review, twenty-five years into clinical use 2665399

What the Soviet literature recorded first

The Western clinical literature treats Phenibut dependence as a recent discovery driven by internet sales. The Russian record does not support that framing.

Year Finding PMID
1980 Gusel’ — Peripheral mechanism of the phenomenon of fenibut habituation. Habituation to Phenibut was described in the Soviet literature roughly three decades before the Western case reports 6108239
1986 Danilin — effect of fenibut on nocturnal sleep in patients with the alcohol abstinence syndrome 3705831
1987 Zharkovskiĭ — antiabstinent action of fenibut and baclofen on an experimental abstinence model. The Phenibut–baclofen relationship that dominates modern withdrawal management was already being examined in 1987 3036269
2000 Belozertseva — effect of GABA-positive agents on the formation of morphine dependence 10763104

Soviet space medicine

The “cosmonaut drug” story is repeated everywhere and sourced almost nowhere. Three records in Kosmicheskaya Biologiya i Aviakosmicheskaya Meditsina, the Soviet space-medicine journal, are indexed. They establish that Phenibut was studied in that setting. They are not, on their own, proof of any particular flight manifest, and the frequently repeated Gagarin version is chronologically impossible.

Year Record PMID
1981 Bogatova — effect of certain pharmacologic preparations and lighting setups on human work capacity 7218758
1983 Petrova — Effect of fenibut on orthostatic resistance 6620963
1990 Mikhaĭlichenko — neuropharmacological reactivity of the body exposed to extreme factors 1981378

Complete index — all 179 records

Sorted by year. Every PMID links to the primary record and its English abstract.

Year First author Title Journal PMID
1964 KHAUNINA RA Effect of beta-phenyl-gamma-aminobutyric acid on the central action of pharmacological preparations Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 14193102
1964 KHAUNINA RA Tranquilizing effects of beta-phenyl-gamma-aminobutyric acid (fenigam) Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny 14162373
1975 Kovalev GV Effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid and phenibut on the central links of the vascular reflexes with chemo- and mechanoreceptors of the aorto-carotid zone Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny 1191772
1979 Allikmets LKh Dopaminergic component in the mechanism of action of gamma-aminobutyric acid derivatives and structural analogs Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 499466
1980 Gusel' VA Peripheral mechanism of the phenomenon of fenibut habituation Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 6108239
1980 Erofeev NP Effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid and its analogs on the smooth muscle of veins Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny 7397349
1980 Nurmand LB Effect of structural analogs of gamma-aminobutyric acid on serotonin- and dopaminergic mechanisms Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 7449968
1980 Raevskiĭ KS Effect of GABA-ergic substances on the conditioned avoidance reaction in rats Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 7449967
1980 Tolpyshev BA Influence of GABA-ergic substances on the effects of caudate nucleus stimulation and fenamin stereotyping in cats Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 7002589
1981 Vasar EE Selective effect of morphine and diazepam on aggressiveness caused by prolonged administration of apomorphine to rats Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 7198057
1981 Raevskiĭ KS Neurochemical aspects of the pharmacology of GABAergic substances Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 6273211
1981 Morozov IS Determination of the corrective properties of midantan in disorders of rat operant activity caused by different classes of tranquilizing agent Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 6118289
1981 Petukhov VV Use of surviving hippocampal slices to test drugs related to the gamma-aminobutyric acid system Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 7286185
1981 Ryzhov IV Effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid and its derivatives on convulsions induced by L-kynurenine and quinolinic acid Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 6456152
1981 Bogatova RI Effect of certain pharamcologic preparations and different lighting setups on human work capacity Kosmicheskaya Biologiya i Aviakosmicheskaya Meditsina 7218758
1982 Kovalev GI Presynaptic component in the mechanism of fenibut action Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny 7150741
1982 Riago LK Fenibut binding with bicuculline-insensitive GABA receptors in the rat brain Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny 6295522
1982 Allikmets LKh Effect of the GABA receptor blockader bicuculline on the action of fenibut and diazepam Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny 6284283
1983 Riago LK Effect of multiple daily administration of fenibut and diazepam on GABA and benzodiazepine receptors in the mouse brain Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny 6140966
1983 Kresiun VI Disorders in brain levels of macroergic substances during chronic stress and their correction by psychotropic agents Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny 6684488
1983 Skibitskiĭ VV Effect of phenibut and eglonyl on frequency of tachyarrhythmia paroxysms and central hemodynamics in patients with neurocirculatory dystonia Vrach Delo 6636674
1983 Petrova EB Effect of fenibut on orthostatic resistance Kosmicheskaya Biologiya i Aviakosmicheskaya Meditsina 6620963
1983 Kovalev GV Effect of tranquilizers on myocardial function in stress injury Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 6861987
1983 Lapin IP Convulsions induced by kynurenine and quinolinic acid as a sensitive test for assessing the anticonvulsant activity of GABA-ergic preparations Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny 6299432
1983 Gol'dblat IuV Fenibut electrophoresis as a treatment method in muscle spasticity of central origin Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult 6868467
1983 Praznikov VP Cholinergic and GABA-ergic mechanisms of motor reaction regulation in rats during the early postnatal period Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny 6131709
1983 Tiurenkov IN Hemodynamic mechanism of the hypotensive action of beta-phenyl-GABA esters (phenibut) Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 6825820
1983 Kovalev GV Effect of tranquilizers on the course of myocardial ischemia and on myocardial resistance to hypoxia in coronary artery occlusion Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 6825816
1984 Kresiun VI Mg2+-ATPase activity of brain mitochondria fractions in chronic stress and its correction by psychotropic agents Ukr Biokhim Zh (1978) 6151270
1984 Novikov VE Effect of benzodiazepine and GABA derivatives on the energy metabolism indices in brain edema Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 6145621
1984 Ostrovskaia RU Nootropic properties of gamma-aminobutyric acid derivatives Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny 6538101
1984 Kovaleva EL Comparative characteristics of the nootropic action of fenibut and fepiron Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 6705902
1984 Novikov VE Pharmacological correction of traumatic brain edema Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 6142833
1985 Sizov PI Effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid, its agonists and antagonists on uterine smooth muscle Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny 2998506
1985 Shul'gina GI Effect of a derivative of GABA, phenibut, on behavior and the activity of visual cortex neurons of the rabbit during elaboration of a defensive reflex and internal inhibition Zhurnal Vysshei Nervnoi Deyatel’nosti 4050110
1985 Komissarov SI Nonopiate subarachnoid analgesia induced by GABA-positive substances Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 4043365
1985 Lapin IP Differences and similarity in the interaction of fenibut, baclofen and diazepam with phenylethylamine Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 4043364
1985 Abramets II Effect of fenibut on the GABA B receptors of the spinal motor neurons Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny 2861865
1985 Komissarov IV Ionic mechanisms of the effects of phenibut and GABA unrelated to changes in the function of chloride channels Neirofiziologiia 2995847
1985 Iasnetsov VS The GABA-ergic system and brain edema Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny 2857099
1986 Tiurenkov IN Effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs on the brain GABA-ergic system participating in cardiovascular regulation Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 3028859
1986 Kovalev GI Effects of pharmacological substances structurally close to gamma-aminobutyric acid on the synthesis, metabolism and membrane transport systems in the cerebral cortex of rats in vitro Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 3758322
1986 Gusel' VA Effect of GABA-positive substances on the primary and mirror epileptogenic foci in the hippocampus of rats Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 2873055
1986 Sytinskiĭ IA Alcoholic intoxication and the gamma-aminobutyric acid system of the brain in exposure to pantogam and fenibut Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 3709782
1986 Gracheva SV Effect of fenibut on cardiac hemodynamics in experimental hypertension from the aspect of age Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 3709776
1986 Abramets II Possible general mechanism of the presynaptic action of mediators Dokl Akad Nauk SSSR 2869927
1986 Gol'dblat IuV Phenibut potentiation of the therapeutic action of antiparkinson agents Korsakov Journal of Neurology & Psychiatry 3776387
1986 Danilin VP Effect of fenibut on the nocturnal sleep of patients with the alcoholic abstinence syndrome Korsakov Journal of Neurology & Psychiatry 3705831
1986 Petrova TR Clinico-hemodynamic effects of psychotropic preparations and psychosomatic correlations in cardiac rhythm disorders Ter Arkh 2435014
1987 Kovalev GV Role of the GABAergic system in the mechanism of the stress-regulating action of phenibut Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny 3676496
1987 Burov IuV Normalizing effect of GABA derivatives on late behavioral disorders occurring in rats with early postnatal suppression of protein synthesis Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 3666111
1987 Zharkovskiĭ AM Antiabstinent action of fenibut and baclofen on a model of abstinence induced by the benzodiazepine receptor antagonist CGS 8216 in rats receiving diazepam Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny 3036269
1987 Skibitskiĭ VV Differential psychopharmacotherapy of heart rhythm disorders Kardiologiia 3656892
1987 Voronina TA Dissociation of the anti-amnesic and antihypoxic effects of nootropic and antihypoxic preparations Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 3609269
1987 Prikhozhan AV Effect of psychotropic substances and gamma-aminobutyric acid analogs and derivatives on the release of 3H-D-aspartic acid from perfused synaptosomes of the rat cerebral cortex Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 3556541
1988 Sizov PI Effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid and its agonists on uterine contractile activity Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 3191975
1988 Talalaenko AN Characteristics of the anxiolytic action of benzodiazepine and GABA derivatives on experimentally modelled anxiety states Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 2903833
1988 Shul'gina GI Effect of piracetam on the neuronal activity of the neocortex and on behavior in rabbits during learning Zhurnal Vysshei Nervnoi Deyatel’nosti 3188641
1988 Kozlovskiĭ VL Experimental study of the antiepileptic activity of fenibut and its combinations with sodium valproate and aminooxyacetic acid Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 3137090
1988 Karlov VA Pathogenetic therapy of trigeminal neuralgia Korsakov Journal of Neurology & Psychiatry 3414249
1988 Gorokhov EA Fenibut treatment of a vascular lesion of the vestibular analyzer Sov Med 3264422
1988 Komissarov IV Harmanes allosterically modulate serotonin receptors of IA type Dokl Akad Nauk SSSR 3229313
1989 Talalaenko AN A pharmacological analysis of the anxiolytic action of derivations of benzodiazepine, GABA and beta-carboline in various tests of tension reaction Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 2576232
1989 Filimonov VG Effect of fenibut and seduxen on fetal development in the second half of pregnancy Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 2806525
1989 Volkov AE Effect of fenibut on the fetus and newborn infant after the treatment of gestoses Akush Ginekol (Mosk) 2742068
1989 Abramets II Analysis of the nature of responses of neurons of rat spinal ganglia evoked by the activation of GABA-B receptors Fiziol Zh SSSR Im I M Sechenova 2547667
1989 Khaunina RA Use of fenibut in psychiatry and neurology and its place among other psychotropic drugs (review of the literature) Korsakov Journal of Neurology & Psychiatry 2665399
1990 Mikhaĭlichenko PP Neuropharmacological reactivity of the body exposed to extreme factors: the effect of radiation Kosmicheskaya Biologiya i Aviakosmicheskaya Meditsina 1981378
1990 Bul'on VV The effect of GABA-ergic agents on the development of a neurogenic stomach lesion in rats Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny 1964607
1990 Sizov PI The participation of the GABA-A and GABA-B receptors in the mechanism of the inhibition of the contractile activity in the rabbit myometrium under the influence of GABA, AOAA and fenibut Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny 1964606
1990 Iasnetsov VS Comparison of the antioxidative activity of fenibut, fentolamin and ionol Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 2253749
1991 Lapin IP The anxiogenic activity of phenylethylamine in the social isolation test on mice Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 1804703
1991 Novikov VE The effect of GABA-ergic agents on oxidative phosphorylation in the brain mitochondria in traumatic edema Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 1804695
1991 Karkishchenko NN The adequacy of a new method for assessing the vestibular protective effect of biologically active substances Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 1800137
1991 Mishunina TM The effect of GABA-ergic preparations on the function of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-adrenal system in patients with Itsenko-Cushing disease Probl Endokrinol (Mosk) 1664951
1991 Sheveleva GA Experimental study of the effects of fenibut and seduxen on fetal development in the last third of pregnancy Akush Ginekol (Mosk) 1897678
1991 Skoromnyĭ NA Changes in the cerebral hemodynamics under the influence of piracetam and fenibut during motion sickness Farmakologiya i Toksikologiya 1884788
1992 Novikov VE The effect of GABA-ergic agents on the blood electrolyte balance in acute craniocerebral trauma Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 1458172
1992 Sizov PI Action of GABA-positive preparations on uterus-stimulating effects of activating neuromediators, prostaglandin F2 alpha and oxytocin Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny 1391897
1992 Lapin IP The absence of reproducible effects from anxiolytics and anxiogens on the behavior of different strains of mice in a dark-light chamber Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 1363941
1993 Vasil'ev PV Pharmacological agents for the correction of the processes of work capacity rehabilitation in flight personnel Voen Med Zh 8146970
1993 Sapegin ID The effect of pikamilon and fenibut on the blood supply of the brain at rest and under gravitational exposures Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 8324468
1994 Talalaenko AN The neurochemical mechanisms of the central amygdaloid nucleus and the anxiolytic action of tranquilizers in different models of anxiety states Zhurnal Vysshei Nervnoi Deyatel’nosti 7879435
1994 Sergeev PV Experimental basis for clinical study of GABA-positive substances in a threatened pregnancy Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny 7919270
1994 Bul'on VV The effect of neurotropic agents on lipid peroxidation in the heart and stomach with neurogenic lesions Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 8049619
1994 Novikov VE The effect of fenibut on the ultrastructure of the brain mitochondria in traumatic edema and swelling Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 8205040
1995 Novikov VE A pharmacological analysis of the antiedematous action of GABA-ergic and opioidergic agents in craniocerebral trauma Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 8704619
1995 Lapin IP The influence of the GABA-B receptor antagonists 2-hydoxysaclofen and faclofen on the sedative effect of fenibut and baclofen Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 8704585
1995 Tarakanov IA The effect of phenibut on formation of respiratory rhythm Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny 8589384
1997 Lapin IP GABA-ergic system in defense against excitatory kynurenines Vopr Med Khim 9503572
1997 Belozertseva IV A pharmaco-ethological study of the GABA-ergic mechanisms regulating the depression-like behavior of mice Zhurnal Vysshei Nervnoi Deyatel’nosti 9472168
1997 Tarakanov IA The loss of sensitivity of the respiratory system to carbon dioxide during activation of GABAergic brain structures Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny 9190175
1997 Talalaenko AN Neurochemical analysis of the amygdala basolateral nucleus of rats during anxiety tests Sechenov Russian Physiological Journal 12436687
1997 Sergeev PV Fenibut and fenazepam as potential protectors of pregnancy with a GABA-ergic mechanism of action Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 9206566
1997 Tarakanov IA Sensitivity of the respiratory system to oxygen during activation of brain GABAergic structures Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny 9162230
1997 Makarov VI Experimental bases of the use of pharmacologic agents aimed at higher heat resistance of humans as means of individual protection Med Tr Prom Ekol 9235216
1997 Makarov VI The enhancement of human thermal resistance by the single use of bemitil and fenibut Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 9162292
1998 Lapin IP The pharmacological differences between kynurenine- and korazol-induced seizures (the participation of GABA-B receptors and dopamine) Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 9621167
1998 Ogluzdina MV Effect of phenyl derivative of gamma-aminobutyric acid phenybut on autorhythmic contractile activity of the portal vein Sechenov Russian Physiological Journal 9612864
1998 Makarov VI Effect of phenibut, obsidan and their combination on the human functional state in hyperthermia Fiziol Cheloveka 9567480
1999 Belozertseva IV Regulation of the mouse aggressive behavior (pharmacologic analysis of the GABAergic mechanism) Zhurnal Vysshei Nervnoi Deyatel’nosti 10570533
1999 Lapin IP A decreased frequency of peeking out from the dark compartment–the only constant index of the effect of anxiogens on the behavior of mice in a "light-darkness" chamber Zhurnal Vysshei Nervnoi Deyatel’nosti 10420565
1999 Tarakanov IA Sensitivity of the respiratory system to lung mechanoreceptor impulses during GABAergic system activation Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny 10225094
2000 Belozertseva IV The effect of GABA-positive agents on the formation of morphine dependence and on the manifestations of a withdrawal syndrome Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 10763104
2001 Talalaenko AN Neurochemical characteristics of the ventromedial hypothalamus and anti-aversive effects of anxiolytic agents in various anxiety models Sechenov Russian Physiological Journal 11763535
2001 Talalaenko AN Monoamine, GABA, and glutamergic mechanisms of the anterior hypothalamus in anti-aversive effects of sedative and selective drugs in various models of anxiety Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 11548441
2002 Talalaenko AN Monoaminergic and aminoacidergic mechanisms of the posterior hypothalamus in realization of the antiaversive effects of anxiosedative and anxioselective agents in various anxiety models Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 12596508
2002 Tiurenkov IN Anti-arrhythmic properties of GABA and GABA-ergic system activators Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 12025796
2003 Smirnov AV Cardiac effects of fenibut in development of experimental chronic renal insufficiency Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 14558346
2005 Zykov VP Autonomic cardiovascular regulation in patients with tics and Tourette syndrome Korsakov Journal of Neurology & Psychiatry 16252383
2005 Talaenko AN Neurochemical mechanisms of dorsal pallidum in antiadverse effects of anxiolytics of different models of anxiety Sechenov Russian Physiological Journal 16206621
2005 Tiurenkov IN Effect of phenibut on the behavior of experimental animals under conditions of voluntary chronic alcoholism Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 16047680
2005 Shul'gina GI Effect of the GABA derivative phenibut on learning Vestn Ross Akad Med Nauk 15776965
2006 Ziablitseva EA Peculiarities of nootropic effect of phenibut Korsakov Journal of Neurology & Psychiatry 17069064
2006 Perfilova VN Cardioprotective effect of GABA derivatives in acute alcohol intoxication Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 16995433
2006 Tiurenkov IN Comparative evaluation of the neuroprotective activity of phenibut and piracetam under experimental cerebral ischemia conditions in rats Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 16878492
2006 Ziablintseva EA The effect of GABA derivative phenibut on defensive conditioning and internal inhibition Zhurnal Vysshei Nervnoi Deyatel’nosti 16756131
2006 Tarakanov IA Effect of phenibut on the respiratory arrest caused by serotonin Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 16579056
2006 Talalaenko AN Neurochemical features of the ventral pallidum in realization of the antiaversive effects of anxiolytics in different models of anxiety Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 16579051
2007 Perfilova VN Correction of cardiotoxic effect of chronic alcoholic intoxication by GABA-ergic compounds Kardiologiia 18260875
2007 Perfilova VN Effect of citrocard on functional reserves of the heart under conditions of chronic stress Bull Exp Biol Med 18256742
2007 Ziablitseva EA Effect of GABA receptor agonist phenibut on behavior and respiration of rabbits in the negative emotional situation Zhurnal Vysshei Nervnoi Deyatel’nosti 17944107
2009 Kuchkarov UI Efficiency of noophen in heroin addiction Lik Sprava 20455452
2009 Voronina TA Nootropic and antiamnestic effects of tenoten (pediatric formulation) in immature rat pups Bull Exp Biol Med 20396730
2009 Tyurenkov IN Comparative study of immunocorrective activity of phenibut and its organic salts in experimental immunodeficiency Bull Exp Biol Med 19907750
2009 Ziablintseva EA Influence of GABA agonist phenibut on the neuronal activity and interaction in hippocampus and neocortex in emotionally negative situations Sechenov Russian Physiological Journal 19899708
2009 Likhodeev VA Effects of aminalon, fenibut, and picamilon on the typological parameters of cerebral hemodynamics in swimmers with dysadaptation syndrome Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 19803364
2009 Borodkina LE Effect of phenibut on the content of monoamines, their metabolites, and neurotransmitter amino acids in rat brain structures Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 19334514
2009 Borodkina LE Effect of phenibut on interhemispheric transmission in the rat brain Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 19334513
2010 Pavlova IV Interhemisphere asymmetry of hippocampus and neocortex in correlates of active and passive behavioural strategy in negative emotional situations Sechenov Russian Physiological Journal 21473104
2010 Tiurenkov IN Comparative study of immunomodulating properties of phenibut and gammoxin Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 21395013
2010 Likhodeeva VA Effects of phenibut on parameters of cerebral hemodynamics in swimmers with dysadaptation syndrome and various types of systemic hemodynamics Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 20919550
2010 Samotrueva MA Immune-regulating effect of phenibut under lipopolysaccharide-induced immune stress conditions Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 20597368
2010 Samotrueva MA Changes in the psycho-emotional state under conditions of suppressed immunogenesis, the correction of the disorders with GABA-positive means Sechenov Russian Physiological Journal 20432718
2011 Samotrueva MA Influence of GABA derivatives on some indices of lipid peroxidation in immunocompetent organs under experimental immunopathology conditions Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 22232912
2011 Zhezlova AV Bioequivalence of anvifen and phenibut Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 21809698
2011 Tiurenkov IN Psychotropic effect of phenibut salts and their compositions with organic acids Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 21476277
2012 Tiurenkov IN Fenibut and its citrate prevent psychoneurological disorders caused by chronic stress (paradoxical sleep deprivation) Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 22891435
2012 Tiurenkov IN Effect of phenibut and its composition with nicotinic acid on hemostasis in rats with brain ischemia Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 22702103
2012 Perfilova VN Effect of new phenibut salts on psychic and physical development of posterity in rats with experimental gestosis Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 22679748
2013 Volotova EV Comparative analysis of action of beta-phenyl derivatives of glutamic and gamma-aminobutyric acid on cerebral blood flow and cerebrovascular endothelium after irreversible occlusion of the common carotid artery Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 24003482
2013 Tiurenkov IN Hepatoduodenal circulation and excretion of the new GABA derivative citrocard Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 23767103
2014 Tiurenkov IN Gravidaprotective action of phenibut in experimental pre-eclampsia Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 25668940
2014 Surushkina SY Comorbidity of tics and stuttering Korsakov Journal of Neurology & Psychiatry 25591517
2014 Zavadenko NN The results of the pharmacological treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: evaluation with neuropsychological methods Korsakov Journal of Neurology & Psychiatry 25403296
2014 Perfilova VN Cardioprotective properties of new glutamic acid derivative under stress conditions Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 25365864
2014 Chutko LS Cognitive and emotional impairments in patients with protracted anxiety-phobic disorders Ter Arkh 25804042
2014 Chutko LS Asthenic disorders in children and their differentiated treatment Korsakov Journal of Neurology & Psychiatry 25726788
2015 Knyazkova II The correction with noophen of autonomic dysfunction in young men with hypertension Lik Sprava 27491166
2015 Tikhomirova LN The role of opioidergic and GABAergic systems in the mechanosensitivity regulation of the respiratory system in rats Patol Fiziol Eksp Ter 27116874
2015 Zhivolupov SA Neurogenic copulative dysfunction in men: theoretical aspects, differential diagnosis, and rational therapy Ter Arkh 26155622
2015 Ivanov IV Individual approach to the use of medications to normalize situational anxiety under the psycho-emotional stress Aviakosm Ekolog Med 26087584
2015 Otellin VA The effect of perinatal hypoxia on the structure of blood-brain barrier in rats treated with salifen Morfologiia 27141582
2015 Tyurenkov IN No-dependent mechanism of the cardioprotective action of phenibut on stress-induced violation of contractile function of the heart Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 27017698
2015 Maximova MY Emotional and personality disorders in atypical facial pain Korsakov Journal of Neurology & Psychiatry 26978495
2016 Volotova EV Neuroprotective action of phenibut and neuroglutam in experimental cerebral ischemia on the background of altered immunoreactivity Eksperimental’naya i Klinicheskaya Farmakologiya 29949699
2016 Chutko LS Anxiety and fear in children and adolescents Korsakov Journal of Neurology & Psychiatry 27042718
2016 Duma SN Diagnosis and treatment of psychogenic dizziness in patients with arterial hypertension Korsakov Journal of Neurology & Psychiatry 27029450
2016 Esin OR Tension type headache: GABA-ergic drug anvifen efficacy Korsakov Journal of Neurology & Psychiatry 27029449
2016 Blachov NY Optimization of treatment of acute pancreatitis in elderly and senile Adv Gerontol 28525701
2016 Perfilova VN Cardioprotective effect of the new derivative of glutamic acid – glufimet in acute immobilization-painful stress in animals of different ages Adv Gerontol 28423256
2016 Chutko LS Impulsivity in adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Korsakov Journal of Neurology & Psychiatry 28300808
2016 Vorob'eva OV Pharmacotherapy of anxiety disorders in patients with chronic cerebral ischemia Korsakov Journal of Neurology & Psychiatry 28300804
2017 Vorob'eva OV Efficacy and safety of noophen in the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome in patients with cerebrovascular insufficiency Korsakov Journal of Neurology & Psychiatry 29265084
2017 Shypilova EM Preventive treatment of tension headache in children and adolescents Korsakov Journal of Neurology & Psychiatry 28805758
2017 Esin RG Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness Korsakov Journal of Neurology & Psychiatry 28617375
2017 Chutko LS A dyad approach to the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Korsakov Journal of Neurology & Psychiatry 28374698
2017 Tyurenkov IN Protective effects of a new glutamic acid derivative against stress after nNOS blockade Biomed Khim 28251951
2019 Chutko LS Cognitive disturbances in children with chronic tics and their treatment Korsakov Journal of Neurology & Psychiatry 31626167
2020 Esin RG Stress-induced disorders Korsakov Journal of Neurology & Psychiatry 32621479
2020 Starovoitova MK Comparative characteristics of enzymatic hydrolysis methods for isolating toxic substances from blood and hair Sud Med Ekspert 32597607
2021 Esin RG Failed back surgery syndrome: the role of central sensitization and treatment approaches Korsakov Journal of Neurology & Psychiatry 33834720
2022 Esin OR The effectiveness of short and prolonged course treatment of anxiety with Anvifen Korsakov Journal of Neurology & Psychiatry 36537634
2022 Esin OR Anxiety in children and adolescents with primary headaches: diagnosis and treatment options Korsakov Journal of Neurology & Psychiatry 36170099
2023 Vikman PS Ways to solve the problem of cross-reactions during immunochromatographic examination of biological objects Sud Med Ekspert 36719313
2024 Tanashyan MM Oxidative stress and antioxidant protection in disorders of cerebral circulation Korsakov Journal of Neurology & Psychiatry 39731380
2024 Esin RG Central sensitization and comorbid disorders in patients with coronary heart disease Korsakov Journal of Neurology & Psychiatry 39072572
2024 Esin RG Effectiveness of Anvifen in the treatment of insomnia in elderly patients Korsakov Journal of Neurology & Psychiatry 38465815
2024 Akimova VD Personalized character of toxic effects through mass nonlethal poisoning by phenazepam and other psychoactive substances Sud Med Ekspert 38353015

What is still out of reach

  1. The Mehilane, Rago and Allikmets 1990 Tartu monograph.Pharmacology and clinic of phenibut, Tartu State University Press. Not indexed anywhere; held at the University of Tartu. It is the source for the nootropic claim, and WHO could not access it either.
  2. Sources behind CyberLeninka and eLIBRARY.RU.CAPTCHA- and registration-gated; not reachable by automated retrieval.
  3. The 1974 registration file.USSR Ministry of Health Order No. 1126, 18 December 1974. Any supporting clinical documentation would sit in ministry archives, if it survives at all.
  4. Ukrainian, Belarusian and Kazakh clinical literature.Not covered by this query.
  5. Full text and translation.This index gives English abstract titles. The abstracts are in PubMed; the article bodies remain in Russian.
Exposure or suspected poisoning

In the United States, contact Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Call 911 if a person has collapsed, is having a seizure, has trouble breathing, or cannot be awakened. Nothing on this page is treatment guidance.

Method

Retrieved from PubMed on 1 September 2026 using the query (phenibut OR fenibut OR "aminophenylbutyric acid" OR "phenyl-gamma-aminobutyric") AND russian[language], then de-duplicated and sorted by publication year. The query is linked above and can be re-run by anyone at any time. Records are listed as PubMed indexes them; no title has been paraphrased, and no finding has been summarised beyond the descriptions given in the highlighted tables above.

Safety & Overdose Info