Current Scheduling Status
None
Year(s) and type of review / ECDD meetings
Drug Class
Recommendation (from TRS)
Substance identification
Vinbarbital (INN, CAS~125-42-8), chemically 5-ethyl-5-(1-methyl-1-butenyl)barbituric acid, is also known as butenemalum, vinbarbitalum, and vinbarbitone. It is a racemic mixture.
Similarity to known substances and effects on the CNS
Vinbarbital 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-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 vinbarbital to induce physical or psychic dependence in either animals or man in controlled laboratory studies.
Actual abuse and or/evidence of likelihood of abuse
Belgium and Finland have reported a few cases of abuse. It has been reported to be found in the illicit market in the Congo, and two instances of seizures of very small quantities have been reported from the United States of America. The substance is under national control in six countries. No government reported on any public health or social problems caused by this substance.
Therapeutic usefulness
Vinbarbital has been used as a daytime sedative and a night-time hypnotic. It has also been used in combination preparations with analgesics, although it has not been established that any improvement in efficacy results. The substance is registered or is available in eight countries, but, as far as could be determined, it is no longer on the market anywhere in the world. The Committee rated the therapeutic usefulness of vinbarbital as relatively low.
Recommendation
The Committee found that there was insufficient evidence that
vinbarbital 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 this basis of the data concerning its pharmacological profile, dependence potential, and actual abuse, the Committee rated the likelihood of abuse of vinbarbital as moderate. The degree of the public health and social problems associated with the drug was also found to be low as was its therapeutic usefulness. In the light of this assessment, the Committee recommended against scheduling of the drug.
Vinbarbital (INN, CAS~125-42-8), chemically 5-ethyl-5-(1-methyl-1-butenyl)barbituric acid, is also known as butenemalum, vinbarbitalum, and vinbarbitone. It is a racemic mixture.
Similarity to known substances and effects on the CNS
Vinbarbital 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-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 vinbarbital to induce physical or psychic dependence in either animals or man in controlled laboratory studies.
Actual abuse and or/evidence of likelihood of abuse
Belgium and Finland have reported a few cases of abuse. It has been reported to be found in the illicit market in the Congo, and two instances of seizures of very small quantities have been reported from the United States of America. The substance is under national control in six countries. No government reported on any public health or social problems caused by this substance.
Therapeutic usefulness
Vinbarbital has been used as a daytime sedative and a night-time hypnotic. It has also been used in combination preparations with analgesics, although it has not been established that any improvement in efficacy results. The substance is registered or is available in eight countries, but, as far as could be determined, it is no longer on the market anywhere in the world. The Committee rated the therapeutic usefulness of vinbarbital as relatively low.
Recommendation
The Committee found that there was insufficient evidence that
vinbarbital 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 this basis of the data concerning its pharmacological profile, dependence potential, and actual abuse, the Committee rated the likelihood of abuse of vinbarbital as moderate. The degree of the public health and social problems associated with the drug was also 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