Drug Groups

illicit; approved

Description

A benzodiazepine derivative used mainly as a hypnotic. [PubChem]

Indication

For short-term and intermittent use in patients with recurring insomnia and poor sleeping habits

Pharmacology

Flurazepam, a benzodiazepine derivative, is a hypnotic agent which does not appear to decrease dream time as measured by rapid eye movements (REM). Furthermore, it decreases sleep latency and number of awakenings for a consequent increase in total sleep time.

Toxicity

Coma, confusion, low blood pressure, sleepiness

Affected Organisms

Biotransformation

Flurazepam is rapidly metabolized and is excreted primarily in the urine. Both hydroxyethyl flurazepam (the major metabolite) and N-desalkyl flurazepam are active. The N-desalkyl metabolite is slowly excreted in the urine as the conjugated form

Absorption

Flurazepam hydrochloride is rapidly (30 minutes) absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract

Half Life

The mean apparent half-life of flurazepam is 2.3 hours. The half life of elimination of N1-des-alkyl- flurazepam ranged from 47 to 100 hours

Protein Binding

83%

Elimination

Flurazepam is rapidly metabolized and is excreted primarily in the urine. Less than 1% of the dose is excreted in the urine as N1-desalkyl-flurazepam.

References

External Links