Nordazepam
Encyclopedia
Nordazepam also known as desoxydemoxepam, nordiazepam and desmethyldiazepam, is a 1,4-benzodiazepine
derivative. Like other benzodiazepine derivatives, it has anticonvulsant
, anxiolytic
, muscle relaxant
and sedative
properties. However, it is used primarily in the treatment of anxiety
. It is an active metabolite
of diazepam
, chlordiazepoxide
, clorazepate
, prazepam
, pinazepam
, and medazepam
.
, which is more common in elderly patients and/or people on high dose regimens. Hypotonia
, which is much less common, is also associated with high doses and/or old age.
at the GABAA receptor, which makes it less potent than other benzodiazepines. The elimination half life is between 36 and 200 hours.
and zopiclone
are also found in high numbers of suspected drugged drivers. Many drivers have blood levels far exceeding the therapeutic dose range suggesting a high degree of abuse potential for benzodiazepines and zolpidem
and zopiclone
. (Note: Zolpidem and Zopiclone are not Benzodiazepines, but rather nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic drugs intended for sleep, nonetheless they are GABAergic drugs that impair cognitive function to a degree dangerous for driving; all CNS depressants have the ability to severely impair motor function, reaction time, and judgement.)
Benzodiazepine
A benzodiazepine is a psychoactive drug whose core chemical structure is the fusion of a benzene ring and a diazepine ring...
derivative. Like other benzodiazepine derivatives, it has 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...
, anxiolytic
Anxiolytic
An anxiolytic is a drug used for the treatment of anxiety, and its related psychological and physical symptoms...
, muscle relaxant
Muscle relaxant
A muscle relaxant is a drug which affects skeletal muscle function and decreases the muscle tone. It may be used to alleviate symptoms such as muscle spasms, pain, and hyperreflexia. The term "muscle relaxant" is used to refer to two major therapeutic groups: neuromuscular blockers and spasmolytics...
and sedative
Sedative
A sedative or tranquilizer is a substance that induces sedation by reducing irritability or excitement....
properties. However, it is used primarily in the treatment of anxiety
Anxiety
Anxiety is a psychological and physiological state characterized by somatic, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral components. The root meaning of the word anxiety is 'to vex or trouble'; in either presence or absence of psychological stress, anxiety can create feelings of fear, worry, uneasiness,...
. It is an active metabolite
Metabolite
Metabolites are the intermediates and products of metabolism. The term metabolite is usually restricted to small molecules. A primary metabolite is directly involved in normal growth, development, and reproduction. Alcohol is an example of a primary metabolite produced in large-scale by industrial...
of diazepam
Diazepam
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,...
, chlordiazepoxide
Chlordiazepoxide
Chlordiazepoxide, is a sedative/hypnotic drug and benzodiazepine. It is marketed under the trade names Angirex, Klopoxid, Librax , Libritabs, Librium, Mesural, Multum, Novapam, Risolid, Silibrin, Sonimen and Tropium.Chlordiazepoxide was the first benzodiazepine to be synthesised and...
, clorazepate
Clorazepate
Clorazepate , also known as clorazepate dipotassium, is a drug that is a benzodiazepine derivative. It possesses anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, sedative, hypnotic and skeletal muscle relaxant properties. Clorazepate is a prodrug for desmethyldiazepam, which is rapidly produced as an active metabolite...
, prazepam
Prazepam
Prazepam is a benzodiazepine derivative drug developed by Warner-Lambert in the 1960s. It possesses anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, sedative and skeletal muscle relaxant properties. Prazepam is a prodrug for desmethyldiazepam which is an active metabolite of prazepam...
, pinazepam
Pinazepam
Pinazepam is a drug which is a benzodiazepine. It possesses anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, sedative and skeletal muscle relaxant properties....
, and medazepam
Medazepam
Medazepam is a drug which is a benzodiazepine derivative. It possesses anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, sedative and skeletal muscle relaxant properties....
.
Side effects
Common side effects of nordazepam include somnolenceSomnolence
Somnolence is a state of near-sleep, a strong desire for sleep, or sleeping for unusually long periods . It has two distinct meanings, referring both to the usual state preceding falling asleep, and the chronic condition referring to being in that state independent of a circadian rhythm...
, which is more common in elderly patients and/or people on high dose regimens. Hypotonia
Hypotonia
Hypotonia is a state of low muscle tone , often involving reduced muscle strength. Hypotonia is not a specific medical disorder, but a potential manifestation of many different diseases and disorders that affect motor nerve control by the brain or muscle strength...
, which is much less common, is also associated with high doses and/or old age.
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.Pharmacology
Nordazepam is a partial agonistPartial agonist
Partial agonists bind and activate a given receptor, but have only partial efficacy at the receptor relative to a full agonist...
at the GABAA receptor, which makes it less potent than other benzodiazepines. The elimination half life is between 36 and 200 hours.
Abuse
Nordazepam and other sedative hypnotic drugs are detected frequently in cases of people suspected of driving under the influence of drugs. ZolpidemZolpidem
Zolpidem is a prescription medication used for the short-term treatment of insomnia, as well as some brain disorders. It is a short-acting nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic of the imidazopyridine class that potentiates gamma-aminobutyric acid , an inhibitory neurotransmitter, by binding to GABAA...
and zopiclone
Zopiclone
Zopiclone is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic agent used in the treatment of insomnia. In the United States, zopiclone is not commercially available, although its active stereoisomer, eszopiclone, is sold under the name Lunesta...
are also found in high numbers of suspected drugged drivers. Many drivers have blood levels far exceeding the therapeutic dose range suggesting a high degree of abuse potential for benzodiazepines and zolpidem
Zolpidem
Zolpidem is a prescription medication used for the short-term treatment of insomnia, as well as some brain disorders. It is a short-acting nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic of the imidazopyridine class that potentiates gamma-aminobutyric acid , an inhibitory neurotransmitter, by binding to GABAA...
and zopiclone
Zopiclone
Zopiclone is a non-benzodiazepine hypnotic agent used in the treatment of insomnia. In the United States, zopiclone is not commercially available, although its active stereoisomer, eszopiclone, is sold under the name Lunesta...
. (Note: Zolpidem and Zopiclone are not Benzodiazepines, but rather nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic drugs intended for sleep, nonetheless they are GABAergic drugs that impair cognitive function to a degree dangerous for driving; all CNS depressants have the ability to severely impair motor function, reaction time, and judgement.)
See also
- BenzodiazepineBenzodiazepineA benzodiazepine is a psychoactive drug whose core chemical structure is the fusion of a benzene ring and a diazepine ring...
- 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 benzodiazepines