Phenaglycodol is an anxiolytic, hypnotic and sedative drug , very similar to meprobamate. Meprobamate forms, along with benzodiazepines and barbiturates, the only group of anti-anxiety drugs that also have hypnotic and sedative effects.

In this article we will know some of the characteristics and properties of phenaglycodol, what other substance it is derived from and what its effects are. Finally, we will discuss other anxiolytics, and the similarities and differences of pheaglycodol with meprobamate.

Phenaglycodol: characteristics

Phenaglycodol is a little known tranquilizing and sedative drug, which has anxiolytic (decreases anxiety) and anticonvulsant (prevents epileptic seizures) properties.

Anticonvulsant properties are also found in another type of anxiolytic, namely benzodiazepines. These act as antiepileptics and are used for the acute treatment of the states of evil and to prevent epilepsies (prophylactic treatment).

Specifically, phenaglycodol is a minor tranquilizer; a minor tranquilizer is an anxiolytic, which has a depressant action on the CNS (central nervous system). So-called major tranquilizers are neuroleptics or antipsychotics.

On the other hand, and as a curious fact, phenaphlycodol is on the list of prohibited substances for the composition of cosmetic products .

Effects

Phenaglycodol produces depression of the central nervous system (CNS), but it also has other effects on the body: digestive intolerance, cholangiolitis and rashes.

The usual dose of phenaglycodol is between 450 and 1,200 mg, to be spread over three doses every 8 hours.

Pharmacology: relationship with meprobamate

On a chemical and structural level, phenaglycodol is related to meprobamate, another carbamate-derived anxiolytic drug. In addition, phenaglycodol is a derivative of propanediol, as is meprobamate.

More specifically, phenaglycodol belongs to the group of drugs called ectilurea (anxiolytic). On the other hand, it has more hypnotic action than meprobamate.

Both substances (phenaglycodol and meprobamate) have practically the same actions (at the experimental and clinical levels); moreover, their clinical indications are also almost the same.

Anxiolytics

As we’ve seen, phenaglycodol is an anxiolytic drug. Anxiolytics are mainly used to treat anxiety , either as a symptom of other existing conditions (for example depression), or as an anxiety disorder itself (generalized anxiety disorder, for example).

But what exactly are anti-anxiety drugs? They are various groups of drugs; two of the most important are benzodiazepines and meprobamate (similar to phenaglycodol):

1. Benzodiazepines

the best known are benzodiazepines. The most widely used are high-potency benzodiazepines (e.g. Diazepam, Chlorazepam or Lorazepam). They also have a calming and sedative effect. They can reduce anxiety symptoms in minutes or hours , depending on the type of medication.

Benzodiazepines, however, have the disadvantage of generating significant tolerance (as well as dependence), which significantly limits their therapeutic effectiveness.

2. Meprobamate

Another group of anxiolytics are those containing meprobamate, indicated to treat insomnia and anxiety, as well as benzodiazepines. These two groups (meprobamate and benzodiazepines), are also sedative-hypnotics, along with barbiturates (only these three groups of drugs are).

Furthermore, meprobamate, as we have already said, is structurally and chemically related to phenaglycodol (they are very similar). However, it should be noted that at present meprobamate is used less and less due to its low efficacy.

Side effects

Phenaglycodol, as an anxiolytic, may have certain adverse effects. The main adverse effects of anxiolytics are alterations in memory, attention and concentration, as well as excessive drowsiness .

However, the cognitive alterations are experienced during the treatment (and with high doses), but once the treatment is interrupted or finished, they disappear; that is, they are reversible .

In addition, they can also generate tolerance and dependency. The first implies needing more doses of the drug to produce the same effect, and the second implies developing an addiction to the substance, that is, “needing” it to live.

Use or abuse of anti-anxiety drugs?

Anxiolytics are being prescribed more and more frequently, and a very large part of the population has consumed or is currently consuming this type of drug. In the face of psychological suffering, many people end up agreeing to take psychotropic drugs because, in reality, for practical purposes it is easier to take a pill than to reflect on what is happening to us inside.

But, to what extent is it “healthy” to take anti-anxiety drugs? From the psychological point of view, these medications should be considered as a therapeutic option of help or support to psychological therapy; perhaps it could be valued as a previous step to therapy when the anxiety is so high that it cannot be controlled and therefore it is very difficult to work.

Once the anxiety subsides, it is possible to start working with the patient through a psychological intervention appropriate to their needs and concerns.

The use of anxiolytics should never be understood as the only tool to manage anxiety and other psychophysiological (as well as emotional) states of the body, but rather as a tool that complements psychological intervention . Anxiolytics can help many people at specific times or periods, but their exclusive use (without any other type of approach) and in the long term will only generate dependency and possible overuse of this type of substance.

Bibliographic references:

  • Velasco, F.A. (1988). Compendium of psychoneuropharmacology. Ediciones Díaz Santos, S.A.: Madrid.
  • Pita, E. and Manzanares, J. (1992). Anxiolytic and hypnotic drugs. Rev. Neuropsiq. XlI, Supplement 1.
  • Sánchez, B. (1962). Tranquilizers in Medicine. Royal National Academy of Medicine.
  • Victor Alexander Drill (1958). Pharmacology in Medicine: A Collaborative Textbook. McGraw-Hill.