Clonazolam Explained

Drug Name:Clonazolam
Type:Benzodiazepine
Iupac Name:6-(2-Chlorophenyl)-1-methyl-8-nitro-4H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a][1,4]benzodiazepine
Width:170
Dependency Liability:Very high
Legal Au:Unscheduled
Legal Br:B1
Legal Br Comment:[1]
Legal Us:Schedule I (partially)
Legal Ca:Unscheduled
Legal De:NPSG
Legal Uk:Class C
Legal Un:Unscheduled
Legal Status:In general legal for medical and research uses.
Routes Of Administration:Oral
Cas Number:33887-02-4
Pubchem:12317881
Chemspiderid:15468596
Unii:HJH52YYC1X
Kegg:C22814
Chemical Formula:C17H12ClN5O2
C:17
H:12
Cl:1
N:5
O:2
Smiles:CC1=NN=C2N1C3=C(C=C(C=C3)[N+](=O)[O-])C(=NC2)C4=CC=CC=C4Cl
Stdinchi:1S/C17H12ClN5O2/c1-10-20-21-16-9-19-17(12-4-2-3-5-14(12)18)13-8-11(23(24)25)6-7-15(13)22(10)16/h2-8H,9H2,1H3
Stdinchikey:XJRGLCAWBRZUFC-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Legal Status:Clonazolam is controlled by the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law in Japan, making it illegal to possess or sell.

Clonazolam (also known as clonitrazolam) is a drug of the triazolobenzodiazepine (TBZD) class, which are benzodiazepines (BZDs) fused with a triazole ring. Although little research has been done about its effects and metabolism, it is sold online as a designer drug.[2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

The synthesis of clonazolam was first reported in 1971 and the drug was described as the most active compound in the series tested.[7]

Depending on dose consumed, clonazolam may pose comparatively higher risk than other designer benzodiazepines due to its ability to produce strong sedation and amnesia at doses as small as 0.5 mg.[2] [8]

Legality

United Kingdom

In the UK, clonazolam has been classified as a Class C drug by the May 2017 amendment to The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 along with several other designer benzodiazepine drugs.[9]

United States

It is a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States and is not FDA approved for human consumption. Virginia state law has declared all of the following related medications are Schedule I: clonazolam, etizolam, flualprazolam, flubromazolam, and flubromazepam.[10] Minnesota declared clonazolam a Schedule I drug in August 2020.

On December 23, 2022, the DEA announced it had begun consideration on the matter of placing clonazolam under temporary Schedule I status.[11] Later on July 25, 2023, the DEA published a pre-print notice that clonazolam would become temporarily scheduled as a controlled substance from 26 July 2023 to 26 July 2025.[12]

Australia

In Australia, clonazolam is Schedule 9 under federal law.[13]

Sweden

Sweden's public health agency suggested classifying clonazolam as a hazardous substance on June 1, 2015.[14]

Effects

Clonazolam's effects are similar to other benzodiazepines, such as anxiolysis, disinhibition, lethargy, muscle relaxation, and euphoria.[2] [8] While no dose of clonazolam is considered "safe" due to its lack of research and extreme potency, doses higher than 0.5 mg can cause benzodiazepine overdose in some individuals.[2] [8] The effects of a benzodiazepine overdose include sedation, confusion, amnesia, insufficient breathing, loss of consciousness, and death.[2] [8] Because dependence can occur in a short period of time, or even with a large initial dose, withdrawal symptoms (including seizures and death) may occur acutely following the period of intoxication.[2] [8]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Anvisa . Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency . 2023-03-31 . RDC Nº 784 - Listas de Substâncias Entorpecentes, Psicotrópicas, Precursoras e Outras sob Controle Especial . Collegiate Board Resolution No. 784 - Lists of Narcotic, Psychotropic, Precursor, and Other Substances under Special Control. live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230803143925/https://www.in.gov.br/en/web/dou/-/resolucao-rdc-n-784-de-31-de-marco-de-2023-474904992 . 2023-08-03 . 2023-08-16 . . pt-BR . 2023-04-04.
  2. 3. Huppertz LM, Bisel P, Westphal F, Franz F, Auwärter V, Moosmann B . Characterization of the four designer benzodiazepines clonazolam, deschloroetizolam, flubromazolam, and meclonazepam, and identification of their in vitro metabolites . July 2015 . Forensic Toxicology . 33 . 2 . 388–395 . 10.1007/s11419-015-0277-6. 33278305 .
  3. Meyer MR, Bergstrand MP, Helander A, Beck O . Identification of main human urinary metabolites of the designer nitrobenzodiazepines clonazolam, meclonazepam, and nifoxipam by nano-liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry for drug testing purposes . Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry . 408 . 13 . 3571–91 . May 2016 . 27071765 . 10.1007/s00216-016-9439-6 . 25831532 .
  4. Exploration des métabolites de 8 benzodiazépines de synthèse . Chaslot M, El Balkhi S, Robin T, Morichon J, Picard N, Saint-Marcoux F . Toxicologie Analytique et Clinique . June 2016 . 28 . 2 . S32 . 10.1016/j.toxac.2016.03.053.
  5. Pettersson Bergstrand M, Helander A, Hansson T, Beck O . Detectability of designer benzodiazepines in CEDIA, EMIT II Plus, HEIA, and KIMS II immunochemical screening assays . Drug Testing and Analysis . 9 . 4 . 640–645 . April 2017 . 27366870 . 10.1002/dta.2003 .
  6. Høiseth G, Tuv SS, Karinen R . Blood concentrations of new designer benzodiazepines in forensic cases . Forensic Science International . 268 . 35–38 . November 2016 . 27685473 . 10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.09.006 .
  7. Hester JB, Rudzik AD, Kamdar BV . 6-phenyl-4H-s-triazolo[4,3-a][1,4]benzodiazepines which have central nervous system depressant activity . Journal of Medicinal Chemistry . 14 . 11 . 1078–81 . November 1971 . 5165540 . 10.1021/jm00293a015 .
  8. Moosmann B, King LA, Auwärter V . Designer benzodiazepines: A new challenge . World Psychiatry . 14 . 2 . 248 . June 2015 . 26043347 . 4471986 . 10.1002/wps.20236 .
  9. Web site: The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2017. 15 April 2023.
  10. Web site: § 54.1-3446. Schedule I.
  11. Web site: December 23, 2022 . (Proposed Rule) Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of Etizolam, Flualprazolam, Clonazolam, Flubromazolam, and Diclazepam in Schedule I . . DEA.
  12. Web site: July 25, 2023 . Schedules of Controlled Substances: Temporary Placement of Etizolam, Flualprazolam, Clonazolam, Flubromazolam, and Diclazepam in Schedule I . 2023-07-25 . . DEA.
  13. Web site: Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard—February 2023) Instrument 2023. 15 April 2023. legislation.gov.au.
  14. Web site: 23 nya ämnen kan klassas som narkotika eller hälsofarlig vara . Folkhälsomyndigheten . sv . 6 August 2015.