Ketazolam
Encyclopedia
Ketazolam is a drug which is a benzodiazepine
derivative. It possesses anxiolytic
, anticonvulsant
, sedative
and skeletal muscle relaxant properties.
and the side effects when they occur tend to be milder. Ketazolam is also an effective antispasmodic drug and is used for the treatment of spasticity.
, Canada
, United Kingdom
or the United States
. In South Africa
, GlaxoSmithKline
markets ketazolam under its Solatran brand name.
and the appearance of the benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome
upon cessation of use or decrease in dose. Tolerance to ketazolam's therapeutic effects occurs over a period of 15 days.
which breaks down to demoxepam which breaks down to desmethyldiazepam.
warns that in Spain, ketazolam marketed as Marcen may sometimes be mistakenly confused with Narcan.
, like almost all benzodiazepines in Germany. Ketazolam is a List II drugs of the Opium Law
in the Netherlands
. Ketazolam is a Schedule IV drug under the drugs misuse act in the US.
Benzodiazepine
A benzodiazepine is a psychoactive drug whose core chemical structure is the fusion of a benzene ring and a diazepine ring...
derivative. It possesses anxiolytic
Anxiolytic
An anxiolytic is a drug used for the treatment of anxiety, and its related psychological and physical symptoms...
, anticonvulsant
Anticonvulsant
The anticonvulsants are a diverse group of pharmaceuticals used in the treatment of epileptic seizures. Anticonvulsants are also increasingly being used in the treatment of bipolar disorder, since many seem to act as mood stabilizers, and in the treatment of neuropathic pain. The goal of an...
, sedative
Sedative
A sedative or tranquilizer is a substance that induces sedation by reducing irritability or excitement....
and skeletal muscle relaxant properties.
Therapeutic uses
It is used for the treatment of anxiety and has similar effectiveness compared to diazepam. Ketazolam also appears to produce a reduced level of side effects such as sedation compared with diazepamDiazepam
Diazepam , first marketed as Valium by Hoffmann-La Roche is a benzodiazepine drug. Diazepam is also marketed in Australia as Antenex. It is commonly used for treating anxiety, insomnia, seizures including status epilepticus, muscle spasms , restless legs syndrome, alcohol withdrawal,...
and the side effects when they occur tend to be milder. Ketazolam is also an effective antispasmodic drug and is used for the treatment of spasticity.
Availability
Ketazolam is not approved for sale in AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
or the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. In South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline plc is a global pharmaceutical, biologics, vaccines and consumer healthcare company headquartered in London, United Kingdom...
markets ketazolam under its Solatran brand name.
Tolerance and physical dependence
Chronic use of ketazolam as with other benzodiazepines can lead to physical dependencePhysical dependence
Physical dependence refers to a state resulting from chronic use of a drug that has produced tolerance and where negative physical symptoms of withdrawal result from abrupt discontinuation or dosage reduction...
and the appearance of the benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome
Benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome
Benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome—often abbreviated to benzo withdrawal—is the cluster of symptoms which appear when a person who has taken benzodiazepines long term and has developed benzodiazepine dependence stops taking benzodiazepine drug or during dosage reductions...
upon cessation of use or decrease in dose. Tolerance to ketazolam's therapeutic effects occurs over a period of 15 days.
Contraindications and special caution
Benzodiazepines require special precaution if used in the elderly, during pregnancy, in children, alcohol or drug-dependent individuals and individuals with comorbid psychiatric disorders.Pharmacokinetics
Ketazolam breaks down in the blood to diazepamDiazepam
Diazepam , first marketed as Valium by Hoffmann-La Roche is a benzodiazepine drug. Diazepam is also marketed in Australia as Antenex. It is commonly used for treating anxiety, insomnia, seizures including status epilepticus, muscle spasms , restless legs syndrome, alcohol withdrawal,...
which breaks down to demoxepam which breaks down to desmethyldiazepam.
Warnings
The U.S. Food and Drug AdministrationFood and Drug Administration
The Food and Drug Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one of the United States federal executive departments...
warns that in Spain, ketazolam marketed as Marcen may sometimes be mistakenly confused with Narcan.
Legal status
Ketazolam is a List 3 drug under the BetäubungsmittelgesetzBetäubungsmittelgesetz
The Betäubungsmittelgesetz , generally meaning Narcotics Law, is the controlled-substances law of Germany. In common with the Misuse of Drugs Act of 1971 of the United Kingdom and Controlled Substances Acts of the US and Canada, it is a consolidation of prior regulation and an implementation of...
, like almost all benzodiazepines in Germany. Ketazolam is a List II drugs of the Opium Law
Opium Law
The Opium Law is the section of the Dutch law which covers nearly all psychotropic drugs. All non-psychotropic, but prescription-only drugs are covered by the Medicine Act.- Origin and history :...
in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. Ketazolam is a Schedule IV drug under the drugs misuse act in the US.
See also
- BenzodiazepineBenzodiazepineA benzodiazepine is a psychoactive drug whose core chemical structure is the fusion of a benzene ring and a diazepine ring...
- List of benzodiazepines
- Benzodiazepine dependenceBenzodiazepine dependenceBenzodiazepine dependence or benzodiazepine addiction is a condition during which a person is dependent on benzodiazepine drugs. Dependence can be either a psychological dependence, physical dependence, or a combination of the two...
- Benzodiazepine withdrawal syndromeBenzodiazepine withdrawal syndromeBenzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome—often abbreviated to benzo withdrawal—is the cluster of symptoms which appear when a person who has taken benzodiazepines long term and has developed benzodiazepine dependence stops taking benzodiazepine drug or during dosage reductions...
- Long term effects of benzodiazepinesLong term effects of benzodiazepinesThe long-term effects of benzodiazepines include drug dependence as well as the possibility of adverse effects on cognitive function, physical health, and mental health. There are significant risks associated with the long-term use of benzodiazepines. However, not all people experience problems...