Clomethiazolum is a drug which is structurally related to thiamine (vitamin B1) but acts like a sedative, hypnotic, muscle relaxant and anticonvulsant.
World Health Organization (WHO)
Clomethiazole, which has sedative, anxiolytic and anticonvulsant
activity, was introduced in 1960 for the treatment of acute alcohol withdrawal,
delirium tremens, status epilepticus, eclamptic toxaemia, sleep disturbances in the
elderly and agitation in psychogeriatic patients. It is also used as a sedative in
certain anaesthetic procedures. There is little evidence of primary dependence in
man but secondary dependence can occur in patients with a history of abuse of
other substances, particularly alcohol. Dependence of this type has been reported
as a result of inappropriate, long-term prescribing to outpatient alcoholics.
Clomethiazole should not be prescribed to alcoholics who continue to drink.
Adverse interactions with alcohol have been fatal. Although not controlled under
the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, clomethiazole is subject to
analogous controls in some countries.
