Current Scheduling Status
None
Year(s) and type of review / ECDD meetings
Drug Class
Recommendation (from TRS)
Substance identification
Chloralodol (INN, CAS 3563-58-4), chemically 2-methyl-4-(2,2,2-trichloro-1-1-hydroxyethoxy)-2-pentanol, is also known as chlorhexadol (BAN) and chloralodolum (NFN). There are two chiral carbon atoms in the structure. Thus there are two diastereomeric substances each of which consists of two enantiomers.
Similarity to known substances and effects on the CNS
Chloralodol is a pro-drug of chloral hydrate and like chloral hydrate it is a hypnotic agent. The slow hydrolysis of the drug reduces the local irritation on the mucous membrane and therefore makes it better tolerated than chloral hydrate. The total spectrum of adverse reactions and toxic signs due to chloral hydrate are also found with chloralodol, such as dose-related ataxia and confusion. There is no information in the literature on adverse effects, intoxication, and poisoning directly related to chloralodol. The drug is metabolized to 2,2, 2. irichloroethanol which is responsible for its hypnotic eef fects.
Dependence potential
Controlled dependence studies i- in animals have not been carried out, but cases-of moderate psychic and physical dependence on chloral hydrate have been documented with the full clinical picture of ‘chloralism’. No specific information is available on the dependence potential of chloralodol.
Actual abuse and or/evidence of likelihood of abuse
Few cases of abuse have been reported. From, all the information gathered, abuse of chloralodol does not occur at present in any country. The substance is under national control in three of 59 reporting countries, and requires prescription in ten of these countries. No case of illicit manufacture or traffic has been reported.
Therapeutic usefulness
The substance is available in very few countries. It has the same therapeutic uses as chloral hydrate and is of very little use at present. The Committee rated the therapeuticusefulness of chloralodol as low.
Recommendation
On the basis of the available data concerning its pharmacological profile, dependence potential and actual abuse, the Committee rated the likelihood of abuse of chloralodol as moderate. The degree of seriousness of the public health and social problems associated with the drug was found to be low, as was its therapeutic usefulness. The Committee found that there was insufficient evidence that chloralodol is being, or is likely to be abused so as to constitute a public health or social problem warranting the placing of the substance under international control. In the light of this assessment, the Committee did not recommend scheduling of the drug.
Chloralodol (INN, CAS 3563-58-4), chemically 2-methyl-4-(2,2,2-trichloro-1-1-hydroxyethoxy)-2-pentanol, is also known as chlorhexadol (BAN) and chloralodolum (NFN). There are two chiral carbon atoms in the structure. Thus there are two diastereomeric substances each of which consists of two enantiomers.
Similarity to known substances and effects on the CNS
Chloralodol is a pro-drug of chloral hydrate and like chloral hydrate it is a hypnotic agent. The slow hydrolysis of the drug reduces the local irritation on the mucous membrane and therefore makes it better tolerated than chloral hydrate. The total spectrum of adverse reactions and toxic signs due to chloral hydrate are also found with chloralodol, such as dose-related ataxia and confusion. There is no information in the literature on adverse effects, intoxication, and poisoning directly related to chloralodol. The drug is metabolized to 2,2, 2. irichloroethanol which is responsible for its hypnotic eef fects.
Dependence potential
Controlled dependence studies i- in animals have not been carried out, but cases-of moderate psychic and physical dependence on chloral hydrate have been documented with the full clinical picture of ‘chloralism’. No specific information is available on the dependence potential of chloralodol.
Actual abuse and or/evidence of likelihood of abuse
Few cases of abuse have been reported. From, all the information gathered, abuse of chloralodol does not occur at present in any country. The substance is under national control in three of 59 reporting countries, and requires prescription in ten of these countries. No case of illicit manufacture or traffic has been reported.
Therapeutic usefulness
The substance is available in very few countries. It has the same therapeutic uses as chloral hydrate and is of very little use at present. The Committee rated the therapeuticusefulness of chloralodol as low.
Recommendation
On the basis of the available data concerning its pharmacological profile, dependence potential and actual abuse, the Committee rated the likelihood of abuse of chloralodol as moderate. The degree of seriousness of the public health and social problems associated with the drug was found to be low, as was its therapeutic usefulness. The Committee found that there was insufficient evidence that chloralodol is being, or is likely to be abused so as to constitute a public health or social problem warranting the placing of the substance under international control. In the light of this assessment, the Committee did not recommend scheduling of the drug.
ECDD Recommendation
Scheduling/control not currently recommended
Link to full TRS
who_trs_761.pdf1.41 MB