Description
Ethinamate is a short-acting sedative-hypnotic medication used to treat insomnia. Regular use leads to tolerance, and it is usually not effective for more than 7 days. Structurally, it does not resemble the barbituates, but it shares many effects with this class of drugs; the depressant effects of ethinamate are, however, generally milder than those of most barbiturates.
General Information
- Metabolism: Hepatic. Half Life: 2.5 hours
- Uses/Sources: Used for the short-term treatment of insomnia, however, it generally has been replaced by other sedative-hypnotic agents.
- Health Effects: They cause slurred speech, disorientation and "drunken" behavior. They are physically and psychologically addictive.
- Symptoms: Symptoms of overdose include shortness of breath or slow or troubled breathing, slow heartbeat, severe weakness, chronic confusion, slurred speech, and staggering.
- Route of Exposure: Rapidly absorbed following oral administration.
Mechanism of Action
Target Name | Mechanism of Action | References |
---|---|---|
Carbonic anhydrase 1 Carbonic anhydrase 2 |
The mechanism of action is not known. However, studies have shown that ethinamate inhibits carbonic anhydrases I and II (J Biol Chem. 1992 Dec 15;267(35):25044-50). This inhibition by ethinamate is not sufficiently strong to implicate carbonic anhydrases I and II in the mechanism of action. |
1460006 |