Ethchlorvynol is a sedative and hypnotic drug. It has been used to treat insomnia, but has been largely superseded and is only offered where an intolerance or allergy to other drugs exists. [Wikipedia]
Indication
Used for short-term hypnotic therapy in the management of insomnia for periods of up to one week in duration; however, this medication generally has been replaced by other sedative-hypnotic agents.
Pharmacology
Ethchlorvynol is a sedative drug and schedule IV (USA) controlled substance. It produces cerebral depression, however the exact mechanism of action is not known.
Toxicity
Symptoms of overdose include thrombocytopenia.
Affected Organisms
Humans and other mammals
Biotransformation
About 90% of a dose is metabolized in the liver. Some ethchlorvynol may also be metabolized in the kidneys. Ethchlorvynol and metabolites undergo extensive enterohepatic recirculation.
Absorption
Rapidly absorbed from gastrointestinal tract.
Half Life
Plasma half-life is approximately 10 to 20 hours, terminal half-life is 21-100 hours.
