Current Scheduling Status
None
Year(s) and type of review / ECDD meetings
Drug Class
Recommendation (from TRS)
Substance identification
Talbutal (INN, CAS—115-44-6), chemically 5-allyl-5-secbutylbarbituric acid, has no common name. It is a racemic mixture.
Similarity to known substances and effects on the CNS
Talbutal 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 and 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 talbutal 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 sporadic reports on the abuse of talbutal from the United States of America. It is under national control in five countries. There have been reports of seizures and illegal purchases of this substance from the United States of America. There are no reports of clandestine manufacture.
Therapeutic usefulness
Talbutal is used as a hypnotic and sedative. At present its use is very limited. The Committee rated the therapeutic usefulness of talbutal as relatively low.
Recommendation
The Committee found that there was insufficient evidence that
talbutal 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 data concerning its pharmacological profile, dependence potential, and actual abuse, the Committee rated the likelihood of abuse of talbutal as intermediate. 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.
Talbutal (INN, CAS—115-44-6), chemically 5-allyl-5-secbutylbarbituric acid, has no common name. It is a racemic mixture.
Similarity to known substances and effects on the CNS
Talbutal 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 and 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 talbutal 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 sporadic reports on the abuse of talbutal from the United States of America. It is under national control in five countries. There have been reports of seizures and illegal purchases of this substance from the United States of America. There are no reports of clandestine manufacture.
Therapeutic usefulness
Talbutal is used as a hypnotic and sedative. At present its use is very limited. The Committee rated the therapeutic usefulness of talbutal as relatively low.
Recommendation
The Committee found that there was insufficient evidence that
talbutal 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 data concerning its pharmacological profile, dependence potential, and actual abuse, the Committee rated the likelihood of abuse of talbutal as intermediate. 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