Clomethiazole

The Uses of Clomethiazole

Hypnotic.

The Uses of Clomethiazole

Clomethiazolum is a drug which is structurally related to thiamine (vitamin B1) but acts like a sedative, hypnotic, muscle relaxant and anticonvulsant.

Definition

ChEBI: 5-(2-chloroethyl)-4-methylthiazole is a member of thiazoles.

brand name

Clomiazin;Distraneurine;Emineurina;Gebriazol;Hemineurine;Heminevrin;Somnevrin.

World Health Organization (WHO)

Clomethiazole, which has sedative, anxiolytic and anticonvulsant activity, was introduced in 1960 for the treatment of acute alcohol withdrawal, delirium tremens, status epilepticus, eclamptic toxaemia, sleep disturbances in the elderly and agitation in psychogeriatic patients. It is also used as a sedative in certain anaesthetic procedures. There is little evidence of primary dependence in man but secondary dependence can occur in patients with a history of abuse of other substances, particularly alcohol. Dependence of this type has been reported as a result of inappropriate, long-term prescribing to outpatient alcoholics. Clomethiazole should not be prescribed to alcoholics who continue to drink. Adverse interactions with alcohol have been fatal. Although not controlled under the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, clomethiazole is subject to analogous controls in some countries.

Biological Activity

Sedative and anticonvulsant which is neuroprotective in a number of animal models. Prevents the degeneration of serotonergic nerve terminals induced by MDMA ('Ecstasy').