Current Scheduling Status
Schedule I and Schedule IV of the 1961 Convention on Narcotic Drugs
Year(s) and type of review / ECDD meetings
Drug Class
Recommendation (from TRS)
Substance identification
Thiofentanyl’ (CAS 1165-22-6), chemically AN-[1-[2-(2-thienylethyl]-4-piperidyl]propionanilide, is also known as NIH 10505 and MCV 4567. No stereoisomers are possible.
Similarity to known substances and effects on the CNS
Thiofentanyl has been classified pharmacologically as a relatively selective mu-type opioid-receptor agonist with a profile similar to that of fentanyl. Its analgesic potency in rodents is estimated to be 60-100 times that of morphine.
Dependence potential
Thiofentany] substitutes completely for morphine in morphine-dependent withdrawn monkeys and is about 60 times more potent than morphine in this regard. No human studies are available concerning the dependence potential of thiofentanyi.
Actual abuse and or/evidence of likelihood of abuse
Thiofentany/ is one of the fentanyl analogues that have appeared in the illicit drug traffic since late 1979. It has been identified in drug seizures in the USA by a Drug Enforcement Administration laboratory, and clandestine production has been demonstrated.
Therapeutic usefulness
At present, thiofentany! has no known therapeutic use.
Recommendation
The Committee found that there was sufficient evidence to indicate that thiofentany/ is liable to similar abuse to, and produces ill-effects similar to those seen with, drugs in Schedule I of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, and that Convention as amended by the 1972 protocol. The Committee rated the abuse liability of the substance as high. The public health and social problems associated with the substance are extremely serious and there is no known therapeutic use. Therefore, the Committee recommended that thiofentanyl be controlled in Schedules I and IV of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, and that Convention as amended by the 1972 protocol.
Thiofentanyl’ (CAS 1165-22-6), chemically AN-[1-[2-(2-thienylethyl]-4-piperidyl]propionanilide, is also known as NIH 10505 and MCV 4567. No stereoisomers are possible.
Similarity to known substances and effects on the CNS
Thiofentanyl has been classified pharmacologically as a relatively selective mu-type opioid-receptor agonist with a profile similar to that of fentanyl. Its analgesic potency in rodents is estimated to be 60-100 times that of morphine.
Dependence potential
Thiofentany] substitutes completely for morphine in morphine-dependent withdrawn monkeys and is about 60 times more potent than morphine in this regard. No human studies are available concerning the dependence potential of thiofentanyi.
Actual abuse and or/evidence of likelihood of abuse
Thiofentany/ is one of the fentanyl analogues that have appeared in the illicit drug traffic since late 1979. It has been identified in drug seizures in the USA by a Drug Enforcement Administration laboratory, and clandestine production has been demonstrated.
Therapeutic usefulness
At present, thiofentany! has no known therapeutic use.
Recommendation
The Committee found that there was sufficient evidence to indicate that thiofentany/ is liable to similar abuse to, and produces ill-effects similar to those seen with, drugs in Schedule I of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, and that Convention as amended by the 1972 protocol. The Committee rated the abuse liability of the substance as high. The public health and social problems associated with the substance are extremely serious and there is no known therapeutic use. Therefore, the Committee recommended that thiofentanyl be controlled in Schedules I and IV of the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, and that Convention as amended by the 1972 protocol.
ECDD Recommendation
Inclusion in Schedule I and Schedule IV of the 1961 Convention on Narcotic Drugs
Link to full TRS
who_trs_787.pdf1.19 MB