Ethchlorvynol is a sedative hypnotic agent used for the short-term management of insomnia. It has been used to treat insomnia, but has been largely superseded and is only offered where an intolerance or allergy to other drugs exists.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed
Although the exact mechanism of action is unknown, ethchlorvynol appears to depress the central nervous system in a manner similar to that of barbiturates. Barbiturates bind at a distinct binding sites associated with a Cl- ionopore at the GABAA receptor, increasing the duration of time for which the Cl- ionopore is open. The post-synaptic inhibitory effect of GABA in the thalamus is, therefore, prolonged.
- Primary 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therapy in the management of insomnia for periods of up to one week in duration; however, this medication generally has been replaced by other sedative-hypnotic agents.Curator reviewed
- Formula / weight
- C7H9ClO · 144.6 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 1952
Resolves to
ZEHYJZXQEQOSON-AATRIKPKSA-NSMILESCCC(O)(\C=C\Cl)C#CWhat you can answer from here — as of August 31, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Ethchlorvynol, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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