Etizolam Uses, Effects & Abuse

What is Etizolam?

Etizolam is a thienodiazepine, a type of anxiolytic (inhibits anxiety) and anticonvulsant depressant similar to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. Other common brand-name benzodiazepines include Valium® (diazepam) and Xanax® (Alprazolam). 

Many times, because of its structural make-up, etizolam is considered as a “designer” benzodiazepine. The difference between etizolam and benzodiazepines is that a benzene ring is replaced with a thiophene ring. The triazole ring has been fused, making the drug a thienotriazolodiazepine.

However, like benzodiazepines, etizolam can bond to the benzodiazepine site in GABAA receptors to affect the central nervous system (CNS). This means that etizolam could help treat different medical conditions, such as:

• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• Panic disorder
• Depressive symptoms 
• Subdural hematomas (bleeding occurring inside the skull but outside the brain tissue)

It is an extremely short-acting drug, with an approximate elimination half-life of 5 to 7 hours. This means that drug concentration in the body will drop to half of the starting dose after this time.

Yet, despite this, etizolam has been shown to be more potent than diazepam (10 times more in hypnotic effects).  

This benzodiazepine analog is available in powder or tablet form, or even spiked onto blotter paper. 

Is Etizolam Legal in The US?

Etizolam is not a legal prescription medication in the United States, unlike in Japan, Italy, and India. 

However, many laboratories manufacture etizolam for research purposes, making obtaining the substance more accessible via the internet. Etizolam is described as a “research chemical” on different sites or at local retail shops.  

This ease of availability can encourage some to buy the drug for medical use without a healthcare professional’s advice. Other individuals may misuse this drug for recreational purposes (street names include Etilaam, Etizest, Depas, Etizola, Sedekopan, and Pasaden). 

A study of calls to the National Poison Data System in the U.S. showed that exposure to “designer” benzodiazepines is rising. Out of the 234 exposure cases across 40 US states, 162 were etizolam.  

Regardless of the reason for drug use, etizolam does have side effects, and users could run the risk of severe conditions like overdose or death. 

Side Effects & Risks of Etizolam 

Because of the recent use of etizolam as a drug, more studies are needed to understand its nature and health consequences. 

A recent, extensive report published by the World Health Organization sheds some light on the effects of etizolam. 

For example, some common side effects of etizolam may include:

• Drowsiness
• Muscle weakness
• Sedation
• Sleepiness
• Muscle relaxation
• Ataxia (disorders that affect motor skills, such as balance or speech)
• Slurred speech
• Loss of consciousness 
• Changes in libido

Here is a list of other events that occurred as a result of etizolam use:

• Blepharospasms (strange, involuntary blinking) — this condition was observed in mostly female patients who had taken etizolam for at least 30 days. 
• Myocardial toxicity (damage to the heart because of chemicals) — this occurred in an individual who received treatment with etizolam and tizanidine (a type of skeletal muscle relaxant).
• Seizure-like activity — higher doses of etizolam with a novel stimulant called 3-fluorophenmetrazine resulted in this health condition. 

Etizolam use was not found to affect cognition, i.e., memory loss. 

Finally, because etizolam is a central nervous system depressant, there is the risk of respiratory depression (slow, ineffective breathing), coma, or death.

Is Etizolam Addictive?

The misuse of drugs like etizolam may result in psychological and physical addiction. However, there is evidence that etizolam may not cause tolerance as much as other benzodiazepines. 

Still, using and quitting etizolam could cause withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms could be similar to those associated with benzodiazepine withdrawal. These symptoms may include:

• Palpitations
• Insomnia
• Irritability
• Tremors. 

In one case, long-term use of etizolam of 2mg to 4mg per day led to withdrawal catatonia (syndrome). 

Addiction Treatment Options

Individuals suffering from anxiety disorders may choose to take etizolam despite its health risks. Etizolam has anxiolytic effects that may help treat such anxiety.

However, because more evidence is needed to understand etizolam and its effects on the body, it is not recommended to self-medicate. Instead, individuals with anxiety and panic disorders should seek professional help to discuss a treatment plan.

For those individuals who have already developed an addiction, other options are available for recovery. These include inpatient care and a detoxification program. In such cases, healthcare professionals can personalize treatment plans and taper dosing accordingly to ensure a healthy, controlled comeback. 

Etizolam: Questions and Answers

What is etizolam withdrawal?

Etizolam (thienodiazepine derivative) withdrawal is similar to benzodiazepine withdrawal. An individual who has become dependent on the drug may go through withdrawal symptoms after quitting. These symptoms may vary from individual to the next but could include:

• Anxiety
• Insomnia 
• Headache
• Nausea
• Tremors
• Sweating 
• Palpitations
• Seizures