Current Scheduling Status
None
Year(s) and type of review / ECDD meetings
Drug Class
Recommendation (from TRS)
Substance identification
Heptabarb (INN, CAS-509-86-4), chemically 5-( 1-cyclohepten-1-yl)-5-ethylbarbituric acid, is also known as heptabarbe, heptabarbital, heptabarbitone. and heptamalum. It is a racemic
mixture.
Similarity to known substances and effects on the CNS
Heptabarb has been classified pharmacologically 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, is metabolized by hepatic microsomal enzymes and stimulates the production of these enzymes. The drug produces 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, can occur. Cross-tolerance may occur to other barbiturates, ethanol, and other sedative-hypnotic drugs.
Dependence potential
There is no information on the ability of heptabarb to induce physical or psychic dependence in either animals or man in controlled laboratory studies.
Actual abuse and or/evidence of likelihood of abuse
There have been isolated cases of abuse of heptabarb in Belgium, Federal Republic of Germany, Norway, and the United States of America. The drug is under national control in eight countries. There have been no reports of illicit manufacture, illicit trafficking, or seizures of the drug, but there have been some cases of prescription forgery in recent years. No government has reported any social or public health problems caused by this substance.
Therapeutic usefulness
Heptabarb is used as a hypnotic and a sedative. It is produced or marketed in nine countries. The Committee rated the therapeutic usefulness of this drug as relatively low.
Recommendation
The Committee found that there was insufficient evidence that heptabarb 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 heptabarb as moderate. The degree of the public health and social problems associated with the drug was found to be low as was its therapeutic usefulness.
In the light of this assessment, the Committee recommended against scheduling of the drug.
Heptabarb (INN, CAS-509-86-4), chemically 5-( 1-cyclohepten-1-yl)-5-ethylbarbituric acid, is also known as heptabarbe, heptabarbital, heptabarbitone. and heptamalum. It is a racemic
mixture.
Similarity to known substances and effects on the CNS
Heptabarb has been classified pharmacologically 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, is metabolized by hepatic microsomal enzymes and stimulates the production of these enzymes. The drug produces 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, can occur. Cross-tolerance may occur to other barbiturates, ethanol, and other sedative-hypnotic drugs.
Dependence potential
There is no information on the ability of heptabarb to induce physical or psychic dependence in either animals or man in controlled laboratory studies.
Actual abuse and or/evidence of likelihood of abuse
There have been isolated cases of abuse of heptabarb in Belgium, Federal Republic of Germany, Norway, and the United States of America. The drug is under national control in eight countries. There have been no reports of illicit manufacture, illicit trafficking, or seizures of the drug, but there have been some cases of prescription forgery in recent years. No government has reported any social or public health problems caused by this substance.
Therapeutic usefulness
Heptabarb is used as a hypnotic and a sedative. It is produced or marketed in nine countries. The Committee rated the therapeutic usefulness of this drug as relatively low.
Recommendation
The Committee found that there was insufficient evidence that heptabarb 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 heptabarb as moderate. The degree of the public health and social problems associated with the drug was 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