View source for Nimetazepam

{{Drugbox|
|IUPAC_name = 2-methyl-9-nitro-6-phenyl-<br>2,5-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undeca-5,8,10,12-tetraen-3-one
| image=Nimetazepam.svg
| width=150
| image2=Nimetazepam3d.png
| CAS_number=2011-67-8
| ATC_prefix=N05
| ATC_suffix=
| ATC_supplemental=
| PubChem=4496
| DrugBank=?
| C=16 | H=13 | N=3 | O=3
| molecular_weight = 295.3
| bioavailability= ?
| metabolism = [[Liver|Hepatic]]
| elimination_half-life= ?
| excretion =  [[Kidney|Renal]]
| pregnancy_category = X
| legal_status = [[Schedule IV controlled substance|Schedule IV]](US)
| routes_of_administration= Oral
}}
'''Nimetazepam''' (marketed under brand name '''Erimin'''®) is a [[hypnotic]] drug which is a [[benzodiazepine]] derivative. It possesses strong [[hypnotic]], [[anxiolytic]], [[anticonvulsant]], [[sedative]] and [[skeletal muscle relaxant]] properties.  It is sold in 5 mg tablets known as Erimin-5. It is used to treat [[insomnia]].

Nimetazepam has a reputation for being particularly subject to abuse (known as 'Happy 5', sold as an Ecstasy replacement without a hangover), especially by persons addicted to [[amphetamines]] or [[opiates]]. For this reason it is no longer sold in most Western nations, but is still a significant drug of abuse in some Asian countries such as [[Japan]] and [[Malaysia]].  Nimetazepam is the only benzodiazepine to be subject to legal restrictions in Malaysia, and due to its scarcity, many tablets sold on the black market are in fact counterfeits containing other benzodiazepines such as [[diazepam]] or [[nitrazepam]] instead.<ref>http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/programs/forensicsci/microgram/journal2004/page27.html</ref>

In a rat study Nimetazepam showed greater damage to the fetus, as did [[nitrazepam]] and especially [[temazepam]] when compared against other benzodiazepines. Diazepam however showed relatively weak fetal toxicities.<ref>{{cite journal | author = Saito H | coauthors = Kobayashi H, Takeno S, Sakai T. | year = 1984 | title = Fetal toxicity of benzodiazepines in rats. | journal = Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol. | volume = 46 | issue = 3 | pages = 437-47 | pmid = 6151222 }}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Benzodiazepine]]s
*[[Nitrazepam]]
*[[Temazepam]]
*[[Flunitrazepam]]

==References==
<references/>

{{Benzodiazepines}}
{{Hypnotics and sedatives}}
[[Category:Benzodiazepines]]
[[Category:Sedatives]]
[[Category:Hypnotics]]
[[Category:Anticonvulsants]]
[[Category:Muscle relaxants]]
[[Category:Anxiolytics]]


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