Clonazolam
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Clonazolam (also known as clonitrazolam) is a drug of the
triazolobenzodiazepine upChemical structure of alprazolam, a common triazolobenzodiazepine Triazolobenzodiazepines (TBZD) are a class of benzodiazepine (BZD) derivative pharmaceutical drugs. Chemically, they differ from other benzodiazepines by having an additional tr ...
(TBZD) class, which are
benzodiazepine Benzodiazepines (BZD, BDZ, BZs), colloquially known as "benzos", are a class of central nervous system (CNS) depressant, depressant drugs whose core chemical structure is the fusion of a benzene ring and a diazepine ring. They are prescribed t ...
s (BZDs) fused with a
triazole A triazole is a heterocyclic compound featuring a five-membered ring of two carbon atoms and three nitrogen atoms with molecular formula C2H3N3. Triazoles exhibit substantial Isomer, isomerism, depending on the positioning of the nitrogen atoms w ...
ring. Although little research has been done about its effects and metabolism, it is sold online as a
designer drug A designer drug is a structural or functional analog of a controlled substance that has been designed to mimic the pharmacological effects of the original drug, while avoiding classification as illegal and/or detection in standard drug tests. ...
. The synthesis of clonazolam was first reported in 1971 and the drug was described as the most active compound in the series tested. Depending on dose consumed, clonazolam may pose comparatively higher risk than other designer benzodiazepines due to its ability to produce strong
sedation Sedation is the reduction of irritability or agitation by administration of sedative drugs, generally to facilitate a medical procedure or diagnostic procedure. Examples of drugs which can be used for sedation include isoflurane, diethyl ether, ...
and
amnesia Amnesia is a deficit in memory caused by brain damage or brain diseases,Gazzaniga, M., Ivry, R., & Mangun, G. (2009) Cognitive Neuroscience: The biology of the mind. New York: W.W. Norton & Company. but it can also be temporarily caused by t ...
at doses as small as 0.5 mg.


Legality


United Kingdom

In the UK, clonazolam has been classified as a
Class C drug The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (c. 38) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It represents action in line with treaty commitments under the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the Uni ...
by the May 2017 amendment to The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 along with several other designer benzodiazepine drugs.


United States

It is a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States and is not
FDA The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA or US FDA) is a federal agency of the Department of Health and Human Services. The FDA is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the control and supervision of food ...
approved for human consumption. Virginia state law has declared all of the following related medications are Schedule I: clonazolam,
etizolam Etizolam (marketed under numerous brand names) is a thienodiazepine derivative which is a benzodiazepine analog. The etizolam molecule differs from a benzodiazepine in that the benzene ring has been replaced by a thiophene ring and triazole rin ...
, flualprazolam,
flubromazolam Flubromazolam (JYI-73) is a triazolobenzodiazepine (TBZD), which are benzodiazepine (BZD) derivatives. Flubromazolam is reputed to be highly potent, and concerns have been raised that clonazolam and flubromazolam in particular may pose compara ...
, and
flubromazepam Flubromazepam is a benzodiazepine derivative which was first synthesized in 1960, but was never marketed and did not receive any further attention or study until late 2012 when it appeared on the grey market as a novel designer drug. It is a st ...
. 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. 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.


Australia

In Australia, clonazolam is Schedule 9 under federal law.


Sweden

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


Effects

Clonazolam's effects are similar to other benzodiazepines, such as
anxiolysis An anxiolytic (; also antipanic or anti-anxiety agent) is a medication or other intervention that reduces anxiety. This effect is in contrast to anxiogenic agents which increase anxiety. Anxiolytic medications are used for the treatment of anxie ...
, disinhibition, lethargy, muscle relaxation, and
euphoria Euphoria ( ) is the experience (or affect) of pleasure or excitement and intense feelings of well-being and happiness. Certain natural rewards and social activities, such as aerobic exercise, laughter, listening to or making music and da ...
. 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. The effects of a benzodiazepine overdose include sedation, confusion, amnesia, insufficient breathing, loss of consciousness, and death. 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.


See also

*
Adinazolam Adinazolam (marketed under the brand name Deracyn) is a tranquilizer of the triazolobenzodiazepine (TBZD) class, which are benzodiazepines (BZDs) fused with a triazole ring. It possesses anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, sedative, and antidepressant p ...
*
Alprazolam Alprazolam, sold under the brand name Xanax among others, is a fast-acting, potent tranquilizer of moderate duration within the triazolobenzodiazepine group of chemicals called benzodiazepines. Alprazolam is most commonly prescribed in the ...
*
Clonazepam Clonazepam, sold under the brand name Klonopin among others, is a benzodiazepine medication used to prevent and treat anxiety disorders, seizures, bipolar mania, agitation associated with psychosis, obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), and ...
, no triazole ring *
Estazolam Estazolam, sold under the brand name Prosom among others, is a tranquilizer medication of the triazolobenzodiazepine (TBZD) class, which are benzodiazepines (BZDs) fused with a triazole ring. It possesses anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, hypnotic, s ...
*
Flubromazolam Flubromazolam (JYI-73) is a triazolobenzodiazepine (TBZD), which are benzodiazepine (BZD) derivatives. Flubromazolam is reputed to be highly potent, and concerns have been raised that clonazolam and flubromazolam in particular may pose compara ...
*
Pyrazolam Pyrazolam (SH-I-04) is a benzodiazepine derivative originally developed by a team led by Leo Sternbach at Hoffman-La Roche in the 1970s. It has since been "rediscovered" and sold as a designer drug since 2012. Pyrazolam has structural similariti ...
*
Triazolam Triazolam, sold under the brand name Halcion among others, is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant tranquilizer of the triazolobenzodiazepine (TBZD) class, which are benzodiazepine (BZD) derivatives. It possesses pharmacological properti ...


References

{{GABAAR PAMs Triazolobenzodiazepines Nitrobenzodiazepines 2-Chlorophenyl compounds Designer drugs GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulators