Clonazolam (also known as clonitrazolam) is a drug of the

triazolobenzodiazepine upChemical structure of alprazolam, a common triazolobenzodiazepine Triazolobenzodiazepines (TBZD) are a class of benzodiazepine (BZD) derivative pharmaceutical drugs. Chemically, they differ from other benzodiazepines by having an additional fus ...

(TBZD) class, which are

benzodiazepine Benzodiazepines (BZD, BDZ, BZs), sometimes called "benzos", are a class of depressant drugs whose core chemical structure is the fusion of a benzene ring and a diazepine ring. They are prescribed to treat conditions such as anxiety disorders, ...

s (BZDs) fused with a

triazole A triazole is a heterocyclic compound featuring a five-membered ring of two carbon atoms and three nitrogen atoms with molecular formula C2H3N3. Triazoles exhibit substantial isomerism, depending on the positioning of the nitrogen atoms within t ...

ring. It has had very little research done about its effects and metabolism, and has been sold online as a

designer drug A designer drug is a structural or functional analog of a controlled substance that has been designed to mimic the pharmacological effects of the original drug, while avoiding classification as illegal and/or detection in standard drug tests. Des ...

. The synthesis of clonazolam was first reported in 1971 and the drug was described as the most active compound in the series tested. Clonazolam is reported to be highly potent and concerns have been raised that it and

flubromazolam Flubromazolam (JYI-73) is a triazolobenzodiazepine (TBZD), which are benzodiazepine (BZD) derivatives. Flubromazolam is reputed to be highly potent, and concerns have been raised that clonazolam and flubromazolam in particular may pose compara ...

in particular may pose comparatively higher risk than other designer benzodiazepines due to their ability to produce strong

sedation Sedation is the reduction of irritability or agitation by administration of sedative drugs, generally to facilitate a medical procedure or diagnostic procedure. Examples of drugs which can be used for sedation include isoflurane, diethyl ether, ...

and

amnesia Amnesia is a deficit in memory caused by brain damage or disease,Gazzaniga, M., Ivry, R., & Mangun, G. (2009) Cognitive Neuroscience: The biology of the mind. New York: W.W. Norton & Company. but it can also be caused temporarily by the use ...

at as little as 0.5 mg.

Legality

United Kingdom

In the UK, clonazolam has been classified as a

Class C drug These drugs are known in the UK as ''controlled drugs'', because this is the term by which the act itself refers to them. In more general terms, however, many of these drugs are also controlled by the Medicines Act 1968, there are many other drug ...

by the May 2017 amendment to The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 along with several other designer benzodiazepine drugs.

United States

It is a Schedule I medicine in Virginia, Louisiana, North Carolina and Oregon and is not

FDA The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA or US FDA) is a federal agency of the Department of Health and Human Services. The FDA is responsible for protecting and promoting public health through the control and supervision of food s ...

approved for human consumption. Virginia State Law has declared all of the following medications are now schedule I: clonazolam,

etizolam Etizolam (marketed under many brand names) is a thienodiazepine derivative which is a benzodiazepine analog. The etizolam molecule differs from a benzodiazepine in that the benzene ring has been replaced by a thiophene ring and triazole ring ha ...

flualprazolam Flualprazolam is a tranquilizer of the triazolobenzodiazepine (TBZD) class, which are benzodiazepines (BZDs) fused with a triazole ring. It was first synthesised in 1976, but was never marketed. It can be seen as the triazolo version of fludia ...

, and flubromazepam. Minnesota declared clonazolam a Schedule I drug in August 2020. The DEA had announced their intent to place the substance under control, in December 2022.

Australia

In Australia, clonazolam is classified as a controlled substance in some states.

Sweden

Sweden's public health agency suggested classifying clonazolam as a hazardous substance on June 1, 2015.

Effects

Clonazolam's effects are similar to other benzodiazepines, such as

anxiolysis An anxiolytic (; also antipanic or antianxiety agent) is a medication or other intervention that reduces anxiety. This effect is in contrast to anxiogenic agents which increase anxiety. Anxiolytic medications are used for the treatment of anxie ...

, disinhibition, lethargy, muscle relaxation, and

euphoria Euphoria ( ) is the experience (or affect) of pleasure or excitement and intense feelings of well-being and happiness. Certain natural rewards and social activities, such as aerobic exercise, laughter, listening to or making music and da ...

. While no dose of clonazolam is considered "safe" due to its lack of research and extreme potency, doses higher than 0.5 mg can cause

benzodiazepine overdose Benzodiazepine overdose describes the ingestion of one of the drugs in the benzodiazepine class in quantities greater than are recommended or generally practiced. The most common symptoms of overdose include central nervous system (CNS) depressio ...

in some individuals. The effects of a benzodiazepine overdose include sedation, confusion, insufficient breathing, loss of consciousness, and death. Because dependence can occur in a short period of time, or even with a large initial dose, withdrawal symptoms (including seizures and death) may occur acutely following the period of intoxication.

References

{{GABAAR PAMs Triazolobenzodiazepines Nitrobenzodiazepines Chloroarenes Designer drugs GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulators