| Systematic (IUPAC) name | |
|---|---|
| 5-(2-Chloroethyl)-4-methyl-1,3-thiazole | |
| Clinical data | |
| AHFS/Drugs.com | International Drug Names |
| Pregnancy cat. | ? |
| Legal status | POM (UK) |
| Routes | Oral |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | 533-45-9 |
| ATC code | N05CM02 |
| PubChem | CID 10783 |
| ChemSpider | 10327 |
| UNII | 0C5DBZ19HV |
| KEGG | D07330 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL315795 |
| Chemical data | |
| Formula | C6H8ClNS |
| Mol. mass | 161.653 g/mol |
| SMILES | eMolecules & PubChem |
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Clomethiazole (also called chlormethiazole) is a sedative and hypnotic originally developed by Hoffmann-Le Roche in the 1930s.[1] The drug is used in treating and preventing symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawal.
It is a drug which is structurally related to thiamine (vitamin B1) but acts like a sedative, hypnotic, muscle relaxant and anticonvulsant. It is also used for the management of agitation, restlessness, short-term insomnia and Parkinson's disease in the elderly. In the U.K, it is sold under the brand Heminevrin (AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals). Another brand name includes Nevrin (in Romania). The drug is marketed either as a free base in an oily suspension containing 192 mg in capsule form, or as clomethiazole edisylate (ethane disulfonate) syrup.
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Chlomethiazole acts as a positive allosteric modulator at the barbiturate/picrotoxin site of the GABA-A receptor. It works to enhance the action of the neurotransmitter GABA at this receptor. GABA is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain and produces anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, sedative, and hypnotic effects. Chlomethiazole appears to also have another mechanism of action mediating some of its hypothermic and neuroprotective effects.
Long term and frequent use of chlomethiazole can cause tolerance and physical dependence. Abrupt withdrawal may result in symptoms similar to those of sudden withdrawal of alcohol or benzodiazepines.[2]
Chlomethiazole is particularly toxic and dangerous in overdose and can be potentially fatal.[3] Keith Moon, drummer for The Who overdosed on Clomethiazole.