Current Scheduling Status
None
Year(s) and type of review / ECDD meetings
Drug Class
Recommendation (from TRS)
Substance identification
Nealbarbital (INN, CAS-561-83-1), chemically 5-allyl-5-neopentylbarbituric acid, is also known as alneobarbital, nealbarb, nealbarbitone, neallymal, neallymalum.
Similarity to known substances and effects on the CNS
Nealbarbital 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 limited data available indicate that 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 nealbarbital to induce physical or psychic dependence in either animals or man in controlled laboratory studies.
Actual abuse and or/evidence of likelihood of abuse
No cases of abuse, seizures, or clandestine production have been reported. It is under national control in five countries.
Therapeutic usefulness
Nealbarbital has been used as a sedative and a hypnotic and is presumed to have the same efficacy as other barbiturates in this regard. There is no evidence that the drug has been marketed over the past few years. The Committee rated the therapeutic usefulness of this drug as relatively low.
Recommendation
The Committee found that there was insufficient evidence that nealbarbital 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 very limited data concerning its pharmacological profile, dependence potential, and actual abuse, the
Committee rated the likelihood of abuse of nealbarbital as indeterminate. 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.
Nealbarbital (INN, CAS-561-83-1), chemically 5-allyl-5-neopentylbarbituric acid, is also known as alneobarbital, nealbarb, nealbarbitone, neallymal, neallymalum.
Similarity to known substances and effects on the CNS
Nealbarbital 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 limited data available indicate that 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 nealbarbital to induce physical or psychic dependence in either animals or man in controlled laboratory studies.
Actual abuse and or/evidence of likelihood of abuse
No cases of abuse, seizures, or clandestine production have been reported. It is under national control in five countries.
Therapeutic usefulness
Nealbarbital has been used as a sedative and a hypnotic and is presumed to have the same efficacy as other barbiturates in this regard. There is no evidence that the drug has been marketed over the past few years. The Committee rated the therapeutic usefulness of this drug as relatively low.
Recommendation
The Committee found that there was insufficient evidence that nealbarbital 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 very limited data concerning its pharmacological profile, dependence potential, and actual abuse, the
Committee rated the likelihood of abuse of nealbarbital as indeterminate. 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