Thialbarbital

Current Scheduling Status
None
Year(s) and type of review / ECDD meetings
Drug Class

Recommendation (from TRS)

Substance identification
Thialbarbital (INN, CAS—467-36-7, and for the sodium salt CAS-3346—-29-0), chemically 5-allyl- 5-(2-cyclohexen-1-yl)-2-thiobarbituric acid, is also known as thialbarbitone. In medical

practice, the sodium salt ii s used as an anaesthetic. It is a racemic mixture.

Similarity to known substances and effects on the CNS
Thialbarbital has been classified pharmacologically as an ultrashort- acting barbiturate used as an intravenous anaesthetic agent. Barbiturates of this type have not been scheduled. Dose-related drowsiness, vertigo, confusion, and incoordination do occur. The drug, like other barbiturates, is metabolized by hepatic microsomal enzymes and stimulates the production of these enzymes. Like the other short-acting barbiturates, thialbarbital produces a dose-related depression of the central nervous system, ranging from mild sedation to general anaesthesia and coma. 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 thialbarbital to induce physical or psychic dependence in controlled laboratory studies.

Actual abuse and or/evidence of likelihood of abuse
No actual cases of abuse have been reported and there is no indication that the drug has entered. the illicit traffic. It is under national control in five.countries.

Therapeutic usefulness
Thialbarbital has been recommended and used mainly as an ultrashort acting intravenous anaesthetic for brief surgical interventions or as an anaesthetic induction agent. The drug is marketed in only a few countries mainly for hospital use. Veterinary use has also been documented; thialbarbital is regarded to be reliable and economical. The Committee rated the therapeutic usefulness of thialbarbital as an intravenous anaesthetic agent as high.

Recommendation
The Committee found that there was insufficient evidence that

thialbarbital 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 thialbarbital as indeterminate. The degree of the public health and social problems associated. with the drug was found to be low and its therapeutic usefulness high. In the light of this assessment, the Committee recommended against scheduling of this drug.

ECDD Recommendation

Scheduling/control not currently recommended