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Dietary supplement

Phenibut Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by BIOVEA

Phenibut label
See full label image
Softgel Capsule Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
Clinical methodology reviewed by · Updated Sep 16, 2026 · Label data from the NIH DSLD
What is this page for?

First and foremost: checking Phenibut against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.

Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Phenibut is a dietary supplement by BIOVEA with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for anxiety and stress, insomnia and sleep problems, stress relief.Based on those ingredients, 248 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Phenibut. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

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Check Your Meds Against Phenibut by BIOVEA

Ask about any prescription or over-the-counter medication and we check it for interactions with Phenibut by BIOVEA — and tell you which ingredient is responsible.

Pharmacist-reviewed data Checks every ingredient Answer in seconds
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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Phenibut by BIOVEA

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

Generated from HelloPharmacist’s pharmacist-curated databases and editorial rules · Last generated Jul 11, 2026

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

Phenibut is the single active ingredient in this product. It's a synthetic compound structurally similar to GABA, a neurotransmitter that quiets activity in your central nervous system — your brain and spinal cord.

The capsule also contains several inactive ingredients used as fillers and binders: microcrystalline cellulose, calcium carbonate, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, and the vegetable capsule shell itself.

Does it work?

Not established
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use — see Phenibut's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: well-being and stress relief.
  • We looked for evidence on: Anxiety, Insomnia, Depression, stress, mood support.
  • The closest evidence on file: Phenibut is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Anxiety (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Phenibut is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Depression, Insomnia, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The evidence we hold for phenibut doesn't establish that it works reliably for any condition. The data shows insufficient reliable evidence to rate it for alcohol use disorder, anxiety, ADHD, cognitive function, depression, or insomnia.

That means either the research is too small, too weak, or too limited to draw a firm conclusion — not that it definitely doesn't work, but that we simply don't have solid proof it does.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Phenibut

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Phenibut is a serious concern from a safety standpoint. It's not approved as a supplement or drug in the United States, and it carries a high risk of dependence, dangerous withdrawal, and overdose.

The adverse effects are substantial: dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, and balance problems are common. More alarming, withdrawal symptoms — including seizures, hallucinations, severe anxiety, and dangerously high blood pressure — can start after just three or more consecutive days of use.

High doses have been linked to respiratory depression. Phenibut should be avoided in pregnancy because there's no safety data and it's a CNS depressant.

It should also be avoided while breastfeeding because it's unknown whether it enters breast milk.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Phenibut

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Phenibut.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • For scale: 248 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Do not combine phenibut with CNS depressants (sedatives, sleeping pills, opioids, or other brain-slowing drugs) — the risk of severe sedation and breathing problems is Moderate but genuine. Also check with your pharmacist if you take pregabalin (Lyrica) for nerve pain.

No other interactions are documented in our data for the ingredients we could check, but the two above must be ruled out before you start.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Phenibut is not established as effective for the conditions people typically use it for, and the safety data argues strongly against it. If you're considering this product, talk with your pharmacist or doctor first — the risks of dependence, withdrawal, and overdose are real and serious.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated May 22, 2015.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Phenibut, straight from the product label.

Brand BIOVEA
Barcode (UPC) 689076034708
Net contents 90 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Market status Off market
Date entered into DSLD May 22, 2015
DSLD ID 45503
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Softgel Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Vegetarian, Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Phenibut by BIOVEA, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Vegetarian Capsule(s)
Servings per container
90
UPC/BARCODE
689076034708
IngredientAmount% DV
Phenibut250 mg--

Other ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Calcium Carbonate, Stearic Acid, Magnesium Stearate, Vegetable Capsule

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Formulation

Vegetarian Product

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Suggested Daily Intake: Take 1-2 capsules 2-4 times per day. Start at the lower dose to assess tolerance.

General Statements

guaranteed premium quality

well-being

FDA Statement of Identity

dietary supplement

Precautions

Warning: If you are pregnant or lactating, consult a health care professional before using this product.

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

Do not use this product if the safety seal on the bottle is broken.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

General

J14

Seals/Symbols

MADE IN THE USA

GMP COMPLIANT

Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.

See for yourself

Phenibut by BIOVEA label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

Phenibut label

Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.

View the full label (PDF)
What’s inside

The Ingredients in Phenibut by BIOVEA

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Vegetarian Capsule(s) Dosage formSoftgel Capsule Servings per container90 Amounts shown are per serving.

Phenibut

Interacts with
248 drugs
250 mg per serving Form: B-Phenyl-Y-Aminobutyric Acid HCl

Phenibut is a synthetic, lab-made central nervous system depressant—not a natural herb—that some people use for anxiety and sleep, but it carries a se...

Phenibut monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Calcium Carbonate, Stearic Acid, Magnesium Stearate, Vegetable Capsule. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Phenibut by BIOVEA Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Phenibut?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

 Go to the checker
248Drugs
248 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Phenibut 248

Individual Drug Interactions

The ingredients in Phenibut interact with 248 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.

1 of the 1 ingredient in Phenibut interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Phenibut

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Phenibut with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Phenibut2 drug types · 248 drugs

Cns Depressants

Theoretically, phenibut might increase the risk of sedation and respiratory depression when taken with CNS depressants.
Phenibut has been associated with sedation and respiratory depression in several case reports, especially when taken at high doses.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Pregabalin (Lyrica)

Theoretically, phenibut might increase the risk for additive adverse effects, including sedation, when taken with pregabalin.
Phenibut is structurally related to pregabalin, and both chemicals act at GABA receptors in the brain. In a case report, a patient who had experienced tolerance to the effects of pregabalin for treatment of chronic neuropathic pain experienced a reduction in tolerance when phenibut was taken concurrently.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
Phenibut full monograph & interactions
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Phenibut, from the product label.

BIOVEA

See all BIOVEA products
Name
BIOVEA
Phone Number
1-800-961-4750
Web Address
www.biovea.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Phenibut by BIOVEA: Common Questions

Does Phenibut by BIOVEA interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Phenibut has a known interaction with 248 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Phenibut contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
What exactly is phenibut, and what's it supposed to do?
Phenibut is a synthetic compound similar to GABA, a chemical in your brain that quiets nerve activity. People use it hoping to reduce anxiety, improve sleep, or help with other conditions, but we don't have solid evidence it actually works for any of those.
Can I get dependent on phenibut?
Yes. Phenibut carries a high risk of dependence, and withdrawal can be dangerous. Symptoms like seizures, hallucinations, and severe anxiety can start after just three or more days of use in a row.
Is phenibut approved by the FDA?
No — it's not approved as a supplement or drug in the United States. That's a red flag about how little we know about its safety profile here.
What are the most common side effects?
Dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, lethargy, and balance problems are the most frequent. At higher doses, it's been linked to respiratory depression — shallow or slowed breathing.
Can I take phenibut if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
No — it should be avoided in both cases. There's no safety data in pregnancy and it's a CNS depressant, so the risk isn't worth it. While breastfeeding, it's unknown whether it enters milk, so it should be avoided then too.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Phenibut is safe with your meds?

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Phenibut label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Phenibut’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Herb & supplement monograph

Phenibut

Interacts with 248 drugs

Phenibut is a synthetic, lab-made central nervous system depressant—not a natural herb—that some people use for anxiety and sleep, but it carries a serious risk of tolerance, dependence, and...

Read the full Phenibut monograph →
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Phenibut's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 23 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Phenibut 23 references
  1. Downes MA, Berling IL, Mostafa A, Grice J, Roberts MS, Isbister GK. Acute behavioural disturbance associated with phenibut purchased via an internet supplier. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2015;53(7):636-8. PubMed
  2. Samokhvalov AV, Paton-Gay CL, Balchand K, Rehm J. Phenibut dependence. BMJ Case Rep. 2013 Feb 6;2013. Pii: bcr2012008381.
  3. O'Connell CW, Schneir AB, Hwang JQ, Cantrell FL. Phenibut, the appearance of another potentially dangerous product in the United States. Am J Med. 2014 Aug;127(8):e3-4. PubMed
  4. Brunner E, Levy R. Case report of physiologic phenibut dependence treated with a phenobarbital taper in a patient being treated with buprenorphine. J Addict Med. 2017 May/Jun;11(3):239-40. PubMed
  5. Sankary S, Canino P, Jackson J. Phenibut overdose. AM J Emerg Med. 2017 Mar;35(3):516.e1-516.e2.
  6. Owen DR, Wood DM, Archer JR, Dargan PI. Phenibut (4-amino-3-phenyl-butyric acid): Availability, prevalence of use, desired effects, and acute toxicity. Drug Alcohol Rev. 2016 Sep;35(5):591-6. PubMed
  7. Magsalin RM, Khan AY. Withdrawal symptoms after internet purchase of phenibut (beta-phenyl-gamma-aminobutyric acid HCl). J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2010 Oct;30(5):648-9.
  8. Rod W, Kudryk A, Brunetti L, Sun N, Nguyen M. Phenibut withdrawal management in the setting of concomitant kratom and alcohol dependence. Critical Care Med 2018;46(1):451.
  9. Li W, Madhira B. Phenibut (beta-phenyl-gamma-aminobutyric acid) psychosis. Am J Therapeut 2017;24(5):e639-640.
  10. Joshi Y, Friend S, Jimenez B, Steiger L. Dissociative intoxication and prolonged withdrawal associated with phenibut: a case report. J Clin Psychopharmacol 2017;37(4):478-80. PubMed
  11. Zheng KH, Khan A, Espiridion ED. Phenibut addiction in a patient with substance use disorder. Cureus. 2019;11(7):e5230. PubMed
  12. Hardman MI, Sprung J, Weingarten TN. Acute phenibut withdrawal: A comprehensive literature review and illustrative case report. Bosn J Basic Med Sci. 2019;19(2):125-129. PubMed
  13. Ahuja T, Mgbako O, Katzman C, Grossman A. Phenibut (β-Phenyl-γ-aminobutyric Acid) dependence and management of withdrawal: Emerging nootropics of abuse. Case Rep Psychiatry. 2018;2018:9864285.
  14. Isoardi KZ, Kulawickrama S, Isbister GK. Severe phenibut poisoning: An adolescent case cluster. J Paediatr Child Health. 2020;56(2):330-331. PubMed
  15. McCabe DJ, Bangh SA, Arens AM, Cole JB. Phenibut exposures and clinical effects reported to a regional poison center. Am J Emerg Med. 2019;37(11):2066-2071. PubMed
  16. Graves JM, Dilley J, Kubsad S, Liebelt E. Notes from the field: phenibut exposures reported to poison centers - United States, 2009-2019. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2020;69(35):1227-8. PubMed
  17. Tamarelli C, Hosanagar A. Phenibut use in a patient prescribed gabapentinoids (letter). Pain Med 2020; Aug 4:pnaa205. doi: 10.1093/pm/pnaa205. PubMed
  18. Esposito CM, Mandolini GM, Delvecchio G, Fiorentini A, Brambilla P. Psychomotor agitation non-responsive to treatment: a case report of phenibut withdrawal syndrome. Front Psychiatry 2021;12:688147. PubMed
  19. Acosta E, Munguti C. Acute Psychosis Associated with Phenibut Ingestion. Kans J Med 2021;14:308-309. PubMed
  20. VanDreese B, Holland A, Murray A. Chronic Phenibut Use: Symptoms, Severe Withdrawal, and Recovery. WMJ 2022;121(1):E1-E4.
  21. Martin R, Buffenstein I, Cho D, Kiyokawa M. Toxidrome of an Easily Obtainable Nootropic: A Case Report of Phenibut Intoxication and Withdrawal Delirium. J Clin Psychopharmacol 2023. PubMed
  22. Morris M, Espinosa J, Lucerna A, Lahr R. A case of phenibut withdrawal and treatment with baclofen. World J Emerg Med 2023;14(4):338-340. PubMed
  23. DiFiore E, Pittman J. A Case of Phenibut Withdrawal Management and Detoxification Using Baclofen in the Outpatient Setting. Case Rep Psychiatry 2024;2024:8824770. PubMed

See these in context on the Phenibut monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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