Nimetazepam

Nimetazepam

File:Nimetazepam.svg
File:Nimetazepam3d.png
Gene therapy
Clinical data
Pregnancy category	X
Routes of administration	Oral
ATC code	N05
Physiological data
Legal status
Legal status	Schedule IV(US)
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	?
Metabolism	Hepatic
Elimination half-life	?
Excretion	Renal
Identifiers
IUPAC name 2-methyl-9-nitro-6-phenyl- 2,5-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undeca-5,8,10,12-tetraen-3-one
CAS Number	2011-67-8
PubChem Template:Abbreviation	4496
DrugBank	?
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C16H13N3O3
Molar mass	295.3

Nimetazepam (marketed under brand name Erimin®) is a hypnotic drug which is a benzodiazepine derivative. It possesses strong hypnotic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, sedative and skeletal muscle relaxant properties. It is sold in 5 mg tablets known as Erimin-5. It is used to treat insomnia.

Nimetazepam has a reputation for being particularly subject to abuse (known as 'Happy 5', sold as an Ecstasy replacement without a hangover), especially by persons addicted to amphetamines or opiates. For this reason it is no longer sold in most Western nations, but is still a significant drug of abuse in some Asian countries such as Japan and Malaysia. Nimetazepam is the only benzodiazepine to be subject to legal restrictions in Malaysia, and due to its scarcity, many tablets sold on the black market are in fact counterfeits containing other benzodiazepines such as diazepam or nitrazepam instead.

In a rat study Nimetazepam showed greater damage to the fetus, as did nitrazepam and especially temazepam when compared against other benzodiazepines. Diazepam however showed relatively weak fetal toxicities.

See also

• Benzodiazepines
• Nitrazepam
• Temazepam
• Flunitrazepam

References

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