Picamilon
Encyclopedia
Picamilon is a dietary supplement formed by combining niacin
with GABA
. It was developed in the Soviet Union
in 1969 by the All-Union Vitamins Scientific Research Institute and further studied in both Russia
and Japan
as a prodrug
of GABA.
Picamilon is sold in the United States as a dietary supplement
, while in Russia it is sold over the counter. The rights to the drug belong to pharmaceutical company NPK ECHO ("НПК ЭХО"), Moscow, Russia.
and then is hydrolyzed into GABA and niacin. The released GABA in theory would activate GABA receptor
s potentially producing an anxiolytic
response. The second released component, niacin acts as a strong vasodilator, which might be useful for the treatment of migraine
headaches.
Niacin
"Niacin" redirects here. For the neo-fusion band, see Niacin .Niacin is an organic compound with the formula and, depending on the definition used, one of the forty to eighty essential human nutrients.Niacin is one of five vitamins associated with a pandemic deficiency disease: niacin deficiency...
with GABA
Gamma-aminobutyric acid
γ-Aminobutyric acid is the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system. It plays a role in regulating neuronal excitability throughout the nervous system...
. It was developed in the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
in 1969 by the All-Union Vitamins Scientific Research Institute and further studied in both Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
as a prodrug
Prodrug
A prodrug is a pharmacological substance administered in an inactive form. Once administered, the prodrug is metabolised in vivo into an active metabolite, a process termed bioactivation. The rationale behind the use of a prodrug is generally for absorption, distribution, metabolism, and...
of GABA.
Picamilon is sold in the United States as a dietary supplement
Dietary supplement
A dietary supplement, also known as food supplement or nutritional supplement, is a preparation intended to supplement the diet and provide nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, fatty acids, or amino acids, that may be missing or may not be consumed in sufficient quantities in a person's diet...
, while in Russia it is sold over the counter. The rights to the drug belong to pharmaceutical company NPK ECHO ("НПК ЭХО"), Moscow, Russia.
Mechanism of action and potential therapeutic applications
Picamilon is able to cross the blood-brain barrierBlood-brain barrier
The blood–brain barrier is a separation of circulating blood and the brain extracellular fluid in the central nervous system . It occurs along all capillaries and consists of tight junctions around the capillaries that do not exist in normal circulation. Endothelial cells restrict the diffusion...
and then is hydrolyzed into GABA and niacin. The released GABA in theory would activate GABA receptor
GABA receptor
The GABA receptors are a class of receptors that respond to the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid , the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter in the vertebrate central nervous system...
s potentially producing an anxiolytic
Anxiolytic
An anxiolytic is a drug used for the treatment of anxiety, and its related psychological and physical symptoms...
response. The second released component, niacin acts as a strong vasodilator, which might be useful for the treatment of migraine
Migraine
Migraine is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by moderate to severe headaches, and nausea...
headaches.
Medical use in Russia
In Russia, Picamilon is used for treatment of these illness.- Violations of cerebral blood flow (ischemic acute, subacute and rehabilitation period of ischemic stroke, chronic insufficiency of cerebral blood flow);
- Vasoneurosis;
- Asthenia;
- Depression;
- Senile psychosisPsychosisPsychosis means abnormal condition of the mind, and is a generic psychiatric term for a mental state often described as involving a "loss of contact with reality"...
; - Alcohol (period of abstinenceAbstinenceAbstinence is a voluntary restraint from indulging in bodily activities that are widely experienced as giving pleasure. Most frequently, the term refers to sexual abstinence, or abstention from alcohol or food. The practice can arise from religious prohibitions or practical...
), acute alcohol intoxication; - MigraineMigraineMigraine is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by moderate to severe headaches, and nausea...
- Craniocerebral trauma
- Neuroinfections;
- Primary open-angle glaucoma (for stabilization of visual function).
External links
- ErowidErowidErowid, also called The Vaults of Erowid, is an online library of information about psychoactive plants and chemicals and other topics on altered states of consciousness such as meditation and lucid dreaming. It provides information about legal and illegal substances, including their desired and...
Picamilon experience reports