Current Scheduling Status
None
Year(s) and type of review / ECDD meetings
Drug Class
Recommendation (from TRS)
Substance identification
Benzobarbital (INN, CAS-744-80-9), chemically j-benzoyl-5- ethyl-5-phenylbarbituric acid, is also known as benzobarbitone,benzonal, and benzonalum. It is a racemic mixture.
Similarity to known substances and effects on the CNS
Benzobarbital has been classified pharmacologically as an anticonvulsant barbiturate with a profile similar to that of phenobarbital. Data on benzobarbital are insufficient to determine whether the drug produces drowsiness, vertigo, confusion, and incoordination. The drug, like other barbiturates, is metabolized by hepatic microsomal enzymes and stimulates the production of these enzymes. The available data are insufficient to determine whether benzobarbital produces typical barbiturate-like depression of the central nervous system.
Dependence potential
There is no information available on the ability of benzobarbital to induce physical or psychic dependence, in either animals or man.
Actual abuse and or/evidence of likelihood of abuse
There are no reports of abuse of benzobarbital. It is, however, under national control in five countries. There is no evidence of illicit trafficking or manufacture.
Therapeutic usefulness
There are reports that the drug is effective in the treatment of epilepsy. However, it appears that the drug is not marketed. The Committee found the therapeutic usefulness of. benzobarbital to be high for the indicated use.
Recommendation
The Committee found that there was insufficient evidence that benzobarbital is being, or is likely to be, abused so as to constitute a public health and social problem warranting the placing of the substance under international. control. On the basis of the limited data concerning its pharmacological profile, dependence potential, and actual abuse, the Committee rated the likelihood of abuse of benzobarbital as low. The degree of the public health and social problems associated with the drug was found to be low. The therapeutic usefulness for the indicated use was found to be high. In the light of this assessment, the Committee recommended against scheduling of the drug.
Benzobarbital (INN, CAS-744-80-9), chemically j-benzoyl-5- ethyl-5-phenylbarbituric acid, is also known as benzobarbitone,benzonal, and benzonalum. It is a racemic mixture.
Similarity to known substances and effects on the CNS
Benzobarbital has been classified pharmacologically as an anticonvulsant barbiturate with a profile similar to that of phenobarbital. Data on benzobarbital are insufficient to determine whether the drug produces drowsiness, vertigo, confusion, and incoordination. The drug, like other barbiturates, is metabolized by hepatic microsomal enzymes and stimulates the production of these enzymes. The available data are insufficient to determine whether benzobarbital produces typical barbiturate-like depression of the central nervous system.
Dependence potential
There is no information available on the ability of benzobarbital to induce physical or psychic dependence, in either animals or man.
Actual abuse and or/evidence of likelihood of abuse
There are no reports of abuse of benzobarbital. It is, however, under national control in five countries. There is no evidence of illicit trafficking or manufacture.
Therapeutic usefulness
There are reports that the drug is effective in the treatment of epilepsy. However, it appears that the drug is not marketed. The Committee found the therapeutic usefulness of. benzobarbital to be high for the indicated use.
Recommendation
The Committee found that there was insufficient evidence that benzobarbital is being, or is likely to be, abused so as to constitute a public health and social problem warranting the placing of the substance under international. control. On the basis of the limited data concerning its pharmacological profile, dependence potential, and actual abuse, the Committee rated the likelihood of abuse of benzobarbital as low. The degree of the public health and social problems associated with the drug was found to be low. The therapeutic usefulness for the indicated use was found to be high. In the light of this assessment, the Committee recommended against scheduling of the drug.
ECDD Recommendation
Scheduling/control not currently recommended
Link to full TRS
who_trs_741.pdf2.21 MB