page_title: Etizolam
section_title: Pharmacology
hierarchical_section_title: Etizolam / Pharmacology
caption_attribution_description: English: Etizolam is a benzodiazepine analog which is marketed under a significant number of brand names, and has recently been used for recreational purposes.
context_page_description: Etizolam is a thienodiazepine derivative which is a benzodiazepine analog. The etizolam molecule differs from a benzodiazepine in that the benzene ring has been replaced by a thiophene ring and triazole ring has been fused, making the drug a thienotriazolodiazepine. It possesses amnesic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, hypnotic, sedative and skeletal muscle relaxant properties.
  It was patented in 1972 and approved for medical use in 1983.
context_section_description: Etizolam, a thienodiazepine derivative, is absorbed fairly rapidly, with peak plasma levels achieved between 30 minutes and 2 hours. It has a mean elimination half life of about 3.5 hours.  Etizolam possesses potent hypnotic properties, and is comparable with other short-acting benzodiazepines.  Etizolam acts as a full agonist at the benzodiazepine receptor to produce its range of therapeutic and adverse effects.
  According to the Italian P.I. sheet, etizolam belongs to a new class of diazepines, thienotriazolodiazepines. This new class is easily oxidized, rapidly metabolized, and has a lower risk of accumulation, even after prolonged treatment. Etizolam has an anxiolytic action about 6 times greater than that of diazepam. Etizolam produces, especially at higher dosages, a reduction in time taken to fall asleep, an increase in total sleep time, and a reduction in the number of awakenings. During tests, there were no substantial changes in deep sleep; however, it may reduce REM sleep. In EEG tests of healthy volunteers, etizolam showed some similar characteristics to tricyclic antidepressants.
  Etizolam's main metabolites in humans are alpha-hydroxyetizolam and 8-hydroxyetizolam.  Alpha-hydroxyetizolam is pharmacologically active and has a half-life of approximately 8.2 hours.
caption: Etizolam pills
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