Current Scheduling Status
None
Year(s) and type of review / ECDD meetings
Drug Class
Recommendation (from TRS)
Substance identification
Cyclopentobarbital (CAS-76-68-6), chemically 5-allyl-5-(2-cyclopenten-l-yl)barbituric acid, is also known as cyclopentobarbitone and cyclopentenylallyl barbituric acid.
Similarity to known substances and effects on the CNS
Cyclopentobarbital has been pharmacologically classified as an intermediate-acting sedative-hypnotic barbiturate with a profile similar to that of pentobarbital. As it is a hypnotic, it is presumed that dose-related drowsiness, vertigo. confusion, and incoordination can occur. The drug, like other barbiturates, may be metabolized by hepatic microsomal enzymes and may stimulate the production of these enzymes. Few data are available concerning the pharmacology of cyclopentobarbital. Since it has been used as a hypnotic, it may be assumed to produce typical barbiturate-like sedative-hypnotic effects on the central nervous system. As it is a hypnotic, it is presumed that tolerance, both natural and functional, may occur.
Cross-tolerance may occur to other barbiturates, ethanol, and other sedative-hypnotic drugs.
Dependence potential
There is no specific information available on the ability of cyclopentobarbital to induce physical or psychic dependence, in either animals or man in controlled laboratory studies.
Actual abuse and or/evidence of likelihood of abuse
The Warsaw Poison Control Centre reported some cases of overdose in 1983 and 1985. The Federal Republic of Germany reported one case of abuse and a few criminal offences related to cyclopentobarbital. There have been no seizures or reports of production of the drug in clandestine laboratories.
Therapeutic usefulness
Cyclopentobarbital is used as a sedative and a hypnotic and has the same efficacy as other barbiturates in this regard. The drug or combination products containing it have been reported to be registered and/or available on the market in two countries. Over the last two years only small amounts of the drug have been used. The Committee rated the therapeutic usefulness of cyclopentobarbital as relatively low.
Recommendation
The Committee found that there was insufficient evidence that
cyclopentobarbital 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 cyclopentobarbital 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.
Cyclopentobarbital (CAS-76-68-6), chemically 5-allyl-5-(2-cyclopenten-l-yl)barbituric acid, is also known as cyclopentobarbitone and cyclopentenylallyl barbituric acid.
Similarity to known substances and effects on the CNS
Cyclopentobarbital has been pharmacologically classified as an intermediate-acting sedative-hypnotic barbiturate with a profile similar to that of pentobarbital. As it is a hypnotic, it is presumed that dose-related drowsiness, vertigo. confusion, and incoordination can occur. The drug, like other barbiturates, may be metabolized by hepatic microsomal enzymes and may stimulate the production of these enzymes. Few data are available concerning the pharmacology of cyclopentobarbital. Since it has been used as a hypnotic, it may be assumed to produce typical barbiturate-like sedative-hypnotic effects on the central nervous system. As it is a hypnotic, it is presumed that tolerance, both natural and functional, may occur.
Cross-tolerance may occur to other barbiturates, ethanol, and other sedative-hypnotic drugs.
Dependence potential
There is no specific information available on the ability of cyclopentobarbital to induce physical or psychic dependence, in either animals or man in controlled laboratory studies.
Actual abuse and or/evidence of likelihood of abuse
The Warsaw Poison Control Centre reported some cases of overdose in 1983 and 1985. The Federal Republic of Germany reported one case of abuse and a few criminal offences related to cyclopentobarbital. There have been no seizures or reports of production of the drug in clandestine laboratories.
Therapeutic usefulness
Cyclopentobarbital is used as a sedative and a hypnotic and has the same efficacy as other barbiturates in this regard. The drug or combination products containing it have been reported to be registered and/or available on the market in two countries. Over the last two years only small amounts of the drug have been used. The Committee rated the therapeutic usefulness of cyclopentobarbital as relatively low.
Recommendation
The Committee found that there was insufficient evidence that
cyclopentobarbital 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 cyclopentobarbital 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