Picamilon
OTHER NAME(S): Isonicotinoyl-GABA, Isonicotinoyl-Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, N-Nicotinoyl-GABA, N-Nicotinoyl-Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, N-Nicotinoyl-R-Aminobutyric Acid, Nicotinoyl-GABA, Nicotinyl-GABA, Nicotinyl-Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, Pikamilon, Pikamilone, Pikatropin, Pycamilon, Nicotinoyl-gamma-aminobutyric acid
Overview
Picamilon is a chemical made in a lab. Once it has entered the body, it's broken down into gamma-aminobutyric acid and niacin, which are both dietary supplements. However, picamilon isn't a dietary supplement. It's used as a prescription drug in Russia. In the United States, picamilon hasn't been approved as a prescription drug, and supplements containing picamilon are banned.
Picamilon is used for anxiety, stress, mental alertness, athletic performance, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Picamilon is broken down into gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and niacin. GABA can decrease anxiety and seizures. Niacin can improve blood flow in the brain by causing blood vessels in the brain to become more open. But there is no good scientific evidence showing that picamilon has these same effects.
Picamilon is broken down into gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and niacin. GABA can decrease anxiety and seizures. Niacin can improve blood flow in the brain by causing blood vessels in the brain to become more open. But there is no good scientific evidence showing that picamilon has these same effects.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- A group of eye disorders that can lead to vision loss (glaucoma). Early research shows that picamilon might improve vision in people with open-angle glaucoma.
- Loss of bladder control in people with brain, spinal cord, or nerve injuries (neurogenic bladder). Early research shows that picamilon might improve bladder control in children with neurogenic bladder.
- Anxiety.
- Athletic performance.
- Memory and thinking skills (cognitive function).
- Mental alertness.
- Seizure disorder (epilepsy).
- Stress.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of picamilon for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if picamilon is safe or what the side effects might be.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if picamilon is safe or what the side effects might be.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if picamilon is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Niacin interacts with PicamilonTaking picamilon with niacin might increase the risk for side effects from niacin.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of picamilon depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for picamilon. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
- Avula B, Chittiboyina AG, Sagi S, et al. Identification and quantification of vinpocetine and picamilon in dietary supplements sold in the United States. Drug Test Anal. 2016;8(3-4):334-43.
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Picamilon in dietary supplements. Available at https://www.fda.gov/food/dietary-supplement-products-ingredients/picamilon-dietary-supplements. Updated November 29, 2017. Accessed September 21, 2019.
- Borisenko SA. Effects of drugs on blood-brain barrier permeability in rats chronically intoxicated by ethanol. Ann Ist Super Sanita 1990;26(1):39-42.
- Mirzoian RS, Gan'shina TS, Kosoi MIu, Aleksandrin VV, Aleksandrin PN. Effect of pikamilon on the cortical blood supply and microcirculation in the pial arteriole system [abstract only]. Biull Eksp Biol Med 1989;107(5):581-2.
- Vishnevskii EL, Guseva NB. Validation of the treatment of the neurogenic bladder in children with myelodysplasia using pikamilon [abstract only]. Urol Nefrol (Mosk) 1998;(2):27-30.
- Kolomoitseva EM, Ermakova VN, Abdulkadyrova MZh. Results of pikamilon use in the treatment of patients with open-angle glaucoma [abstract only]. Vestn Oftalmol 1994;110(4):4-7.
- Sapegin ID, Beketov AI. The effect of pikamilon and fenibut on the blood supply of the brain at rest and under gravitational exposures [abstract only]. Eksp Klin Farmakol 1993;56(1):28-31.
- Dorofeev BF, Kholodov LE. Pikamilon pharmacokinetics in animals [abstract only]. Farmakol Toksikol 1991;54(2):66-9.