Current Scheduling Status
None
Year(s) and type of review / ECDD meetings
Drug Class
Recommendation (from TRS)
Substance identification
Mephebarbital- (CAS 76-94-8); chemically 5-methyl-5-phenylbarbituric acid, is also known as heptobarbital, heptobarbitone, heptobarbitalum, and phenylmethylbarbituric acid.
The substance is a racemic mixture.
Similarity to known substances and effects on the CNS
Mephebarbital has been classified pharmacologically as an anticonvulsant barbiturate with a profile similar to that of phenobarbital. As it is an anticonvulsant barbiturate, 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 anticonvulsant and depressant effects on the central nervous system. As it is an anticonvulsant barbiturate, 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 mephebarbital to induce physical or psychic dependence in either animals or. man in controlled laboratory studies.
Actual abuse and or/evidence of likelihood of abuse
One country reported an isolated case of actual abuse of mephebarbital. The drug is under national control in five countries. There have been no reports of illicit manufacture, illicit trafficking, or seizures of this drug.
Therapeutic usefulness
Mephebarbital has been used as an anticonvulsant, but it may not be as effective as phenobarbital for this purpose. It is also used as a sedative. The substance is currently manufactured and marketed only in France. The Committee rated the therapeutic usefulness of mephebarbital as an anticonvulsant as moderate.
Recommendation
The Committee found that there was insufficient evidence that
mephebarbital 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 mephebarbital as moderate. The degree of the public health and social problems associated with the drug was found to be low and its therapeutic usefulness intermediate. In the light of this assessment, the Committee recommended against scheduling of the drug.
Mephebarbital- (CAS 76-94-8); chemically 5-methyl-5-phenylbarbituric acid, is also known as heptobarbital, heptobarbitone, heptobarbitalum, and phenylmethylbarbituric acid.
The substance is a racemic mixture.
Similarity to known substances and effects on the CNS
Mephebarbital has been classified pharmacologically as an anticonvulsant barbiturate with a profile similar to that of phenobarbital. As it is an anticonvulsant barbiturate, 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 anticonvulsant and depressant effects on the central nervous system. As it is an anticonvulsant barbiturate, 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 mephebarbital to induce physical or psychic dependence in either animals or. man in controlled laboratory studies.
Actual abuse and or/evidence of likelihood of abuse
One country reported an isolated case of actual abuse of mephebarbital. The drug is under national control in five countries. There have been no reports of illicit manufacture, illicit trafficking, or seizures of this drug.
Therapeutic usefulness
Mephebarbital has been used as an anticonvulsant, but it may not be as effective as phenobarbital for this purpose. It is also used as a sedative. The substance is currently manufactured and marketed only in France. The Committee rated the therapeutic usefulness of mephebarbital as an anticonvulsant as moderate.
Recommendation
The Committee found that there was insufficient evidence that
mephebarbital 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 mephebarbital as moderate. The degree of the public health and social problems associated with the drug was found to be low and its therapeutic usefulness intermediate. 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