Current Scheduling Status
None
Year(s) and type of review / ECDD meetings
Drug Class
Recommendation (from TRS)
Substance identification
Butallylonal (CAS-1142-70-7), chemically 5-(2-bromoallyl)-5-secbutyl-barbituric acid, is also known as sonbutal. It is a racemic mixture.
Similarity to known substances and effects on the CNS
Butallylonal has been classified pharmacologically as an intermediate-acting sedative-hypnotic barbiturate with a profile similar to pentobarbital. As it is a hypnotic, it is presumed that dose related drowsiness, vertigo, confusion, and incoordination can occur. The drug, like other barbiturates, is probably metabolized by hepatic microsomal enzymes and may stimulate the production of these enzymes. Since the drug has been used as a hypnotic it may be presumed to depress the central nervous system in the same way as other barbiturates. As there are no data of its effects, no further assessment can be made.
Dependence potential
There is no information available on the ability of butailylonal to induce physical or psychic dependence, in either animals or man in controlled Jaboratory studies.
Actual abuse and or/evidence of likelihood of abuse
No actual cases of abuse have been reported and there is no indication of illicit trafficking of the drug. Four countries reported the drug to be under national control.
Therapeutic usefulness
The drug has been used therapeutically as a central nervous system depressant and as a hypnotic. Two countries reported that the drug is available on the market and one that it is registered. There is no indication that the drug has anything but minor use. The Committee rated the therapeutic usefulness of butallylonal as relatively low.
Recommendation
The Committee found that there was insufficient evidence that
butallylonal 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 butallylonal as indeterminate. The degree of the public health and social problems associated with the drug was also found to be low as was its therapeutic usefulness. In the light of this assessment, the Committee recommended against scheduling of the drug.
Butallylonal (CAS-1142-70-7), chemically 5-(2-bromoallyl)-5-secbutyl-barbituric acid, is also known as sonbutal. It is a racemic mixture.
Similarity to known substances and effects on the CNS
Butallylonal has been classified pharmacologically as an intermediate-acting sedative-hypnotic barbiturate with a profile similar to pentobarbital. As it is a hypnotic, it is presumed that dose related drowsiness, vertigo, confusion, and incoordination can occur. The drug, like other barbiturates, is probably metabolized by hepatic microsomal enzymes and may stimulate the production of these enzymes. Since the drug has been used as a hypnotic it may be presumed to depress the central nervous system in the same way as other barbiturates. As there are no data of its effects, no further assessment can be made.
Dependence potential
There is no information available on the ability of butailylonal to induce physical or psychic dependence, in either animals or man in controlled Jaboratory studies.
Actual abuse and or/evidence of likelihood of abuse
No actual cases of abuse have been reported and there is no indication of illicit trafficking of the drug. Four countries reported the drug to be under national control.
Therapeutic usefulness
The drug has been used therapeutically as a central nervous system depressant and as a hypnotic. Two countries reported that the drug is available on the market and one that it is registered. There is no indication that the drug has anything but minor use. The Committee rated the therapeutic usefulness of butallylonal as relatively low.
Recommendation
The Committee found that there was insufficient evidence that
butallylonal 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 butallylonal as indeterminate. The degree of the public health and social problems associated with the drug was also found to be low as was its therapeutic usefulness. 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