Etizolan
Etizolan Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.
Etizolan is a thienodiazepine which is chemically related to benzodiazepine (BDZ) drug class; it differs from BDZs in having a benzene ring replaced with a thiophene ring. It is an agonist at GABA-A receptors and possesses amnesic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, hypnotic, sedative and skeletal muscle relaxant properties. Initially introduced in 1983 in Japan as treatment for neurological conditions such as anxiety and sleep disorders, etizolam is marketed in Japan, Italy and India. It is not approved for use by FDA in the US; however it remains unscheduled in several states and is legal for research purposes.
Etizolan is a CNS depressant with anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, sedative-hypnotic and muscle relaxant effects. It acts on the benzodiazepine site of the GABA-A receptor as an agonist to increase inhibitory GABAergic transmission throughout the central nervous system. Studies indicate that etizolam mediates its pharmacological actions with 6 to 10 times more potency than that of diazepam. Clinical human studies performed in Italy showed clinical effectiveness of etizolam in relieving symptoms in patients with generalized anxiety disorders with depressive symptoms . Etizolan also mediates imipramine-like neuropharmacological and behavioral effects, as well as minor effects on cognitive functioning. It is shown to substitute the actions of a short-acting barbiturate, pentobarbitol, in a drug discrimination study .Etizolan is an antagonist at platelet-activating-factor (PAF) receptor and attenuates the recurrence of chronic subdural hematoma after neurosurgery in clinical studies . It is shown to inhibit PAF-induced bronchoconstriction and hypotension .
| Trade Name | Etizolan |
| Generic | Etizolam |
| Etizolam Other Names | Etizolam |
| Type | |
| Formula | C17H15ClN4S |
| Weight | Average: 342.846 Monoisotopic: 342.070594897 |
| Groups | Experimental |
| Therapeutic Class | |
| Manufacturer | |
| Available Country | |
| Last Updated: | September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am |
How Etizolan works
Etizolan is selectively a full agonist at GABA-A receptors to increase GABAergic transmission and enhance GABA-induced Cl- currents . It is reported to bind to the benzodiazepine binding site which is located across the interface between the alpha and gamma subunits. Benzodiazapines are reported to only bind to receptors that contain gamma 2 and alpha 1/2/3/5 subunits . Alpha-1-containing receptors mediate the sedative effects of etizolam whereas alpha-2 and alpha-3 subunit-containing receptors mediate the anxiolytic effect . Etizolan shows high potency and affinity towards GABA-A receptor with alpha 1 beta 2 gamma 2S subunit combination . By binding to the regulatory site of the receptor, etizolam potentiates GABA transmission by facilitating the opening of GABA-induced chloride channels . Etizolan is a specific antagonist at PAFR. It inhibits PAF-induced platelet aggregation by inhibiting PAF binding to the receptors located on the surface of platelets with an IC50 of 22nM .
Toxicity
Major adverse effects include drowsiness, sedation, muscle weakness and incoordination, fainting, headache, confusion, depression, slurred speech, visual disturbances and changes in libido and tremor . Flumazenil is a competitive antagonist of GABA-A receptors and can be also used to reverse the effect of etizolam overdosage. Etizolan demonstrates no effects on fertility, development and teratogenicity . LD50 values of etizolam when delivered orally, intraperitoneally, and subcutaneously are 3509mg/kg, 825mg/kg, and >5000mg/kg in rats, respectively, and 3070mg/kg, 783mg/kg and 5000mg/kg in mice, respectively .
Volume of Distribution
Apparent distribution volume was 0.9 ± 0.2 L/kg following a single oral doing of 0.5mg etizolam .
Elimination Route
Etizolan is well absorbed from the intestines with a biological bioavailability of 93% following oral administration. After a single oral dosing of 0.5mg etizolam, it takes approximately 0.9 hours to reach the peak plasma concentration of 8.3 ng/mL .
Half Life
The average elimination half life of etizolam following a single oral dose of 0.5mg is 3.4 hours but may be increased up to 17 hours depending on the rate of metabolism . The main metabolite α-hydroxyetizolam displays a longer elimination half life of 8.2 hours .
Elimination Route
In a rat study, the amounts of etizolam excreted was 30% in urine was 70% in feces, while the values in a mouse study were 40% in urine and 60% in feces .
Innovators Monograph
You find simplified version here Etizolan
