Phenibut – the Russian anti-anxiety drug linked to Gold Coast teens’ overdoses

Dr Janet Cheung

writer

Dr Janet Cheung

Lecturer in Pharmacy, University of Sydney

Dr Jonathan Penm

writer

Dr Jonathan Penm

Lecturer (Pharmacy), University of Sydney

Phenibut was initially developed in the 1960s in Russia as an anti-anxiety (anxiolytic) drug with cognitive enhancing properties. It has since attracted a strong following of users in the “smart drug” market, with claims of boosting memory recall and exam performance.

Originally given to Soviet cosmonauts to combat anxiety and insomnia, the powdered drug is suspected to have played a role in the recent overdose of seven teenagers at a Queensland private school.

PASSWORD RESET

Forgot your password or password not working? Please enter your email address. You will receive an email with the link to set a new password.

Icon 2

NEXT LIVE Webcast

:
Days
:
Hours
:
Minutes
Seconds
A/Prof Ralph Audehm

A/Prof Ralph Audehm

Lipids Management in GP Demystified

Dr Anita Munoz

Dr Anita Munoz

Maintaining Muscles of Independence – Sarcopenia Screening & Management

Dr Melissa Bochner

Dr Melissa Bochner

Work Up of a Breast Lump in GP – Practical Tips and Traps

Dr Adam Straub

Dr Adam Straub

Managing Opioid Dependence in GP – An Update

Join us for the next free webcast for GPs and healthcare professionals

High quality lectures delivered by leading independent experts

Share this

Share this

Dr Janet Cheung

writer

Dr Janet Cheung

Lecturer in Pharmacy, University of Sydney

Dr Jonathan Penm

writer

Dr Jonathan Penm

Lecturer (Pharmacy), University of Sydney

Recent Posts

Latest GP poll

We asked GPs "To what extent do you support or oppose legislation to allow nurse practitioners and endorsed midwives to prescribe PBS medicines and provide Medicare services without an arrangement with a doctor?"

Strongly support

0%

Somewhat support

0%

Neither support nor oppose

0%

Somewhat oppose

0%

Strongly oppose

0%

Recent podcasts

Listen to expert interviews.
Click to open in a new tab

You have completed the Educational Activities (EA) component of this activity.

Select ‘Confirm & claim CPD‘ to confirm you have engaged with this activity in its entirety and claim your CPD.

You will be taken to explore further CPD learning available to you.