Pharmacology - Ethchlorvynol (Placidyl)

[pharmapsyche]

Has anyone ever heard of this drug? Reading out of my PDR (1985 edition), ethchlorvynol is an oral hypnotic available in capsules with 100mg, 200mg, 500mg or 750mg dosages. There's not too much information in the PDR. It induces sleep within 15 minutes of taking it, and the duration of effect is about 5 hours. I've included a picture out of the PDR. Anyone familiar with this mystery hypnotic?

[Jatelka]

Placidyl is classed as a sedative-hypnotic. It's a Schedule IV drug in the US. It''s indicated for short-term use of the treatment of insomnia (up to one week) although it is rarely prescribed now.

Onset of action: 15 minutes to 1 hours. Time to peak plasma concentration: Within 2 hours following a single oral fasting dose. Duration of action is approx 5 hours. Plasma half-life is 10 to 20 hours.

About 90% of a dose is metabolized by the liver (remainder metabolized by the kidneys). It and it's metabolites undergo extensive enterohepatic recirculation.

It is contraindicated in people with a history of drug or alcohol dependance., or those with impaired liver or kidney function.

Adverse effects include: Allergic reaction, Cholestatic jaundice, thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), blurred vision, dizziness or light-headedness, hypotension, indigestion, nausea or vomiting, abdominal pain unpleasant aftertaste, fatigue, confusion, and daytime drowsiness.

Withdrawal symptoms include: Anorexia, acute confusion, dizziness, hallucinations, insomnia, memory loss, muscle twitching, nausea or vomiting
restlessness, nervousness, or irritability, seizures, slurred speech, and sweating.

Clinically with overdose: Bradycardia, coma (often prolonged), hypothermia, nystagmus, pancytopenia (low blood counts leading to anaemia, risk of overwhelming infection and bleeding), respiratory depression and profound muscular weakness.

Usual dose is 500mg- 1g at bedtime. For early morning waking a single dose of 200mg is taken on waking.

It's available in 200mg, 500mg and 750mg. It has an additive effect with other sedatives (including alcohol).

It's manufactured using carbon tetrachloride, and there are concerns about potential carcinogenicity:

"Ethchlorvynol doses of up to 7 times the maximum human daily dose for 22 to 24 months caused a statistically significant increase in total lung tumors in female mice. However, a study in rats did not show ethchlorvynol to be potentially carcinogenic when the medication was administered at 5 to 15 times the maximum human daily dose for up to 2 years."

Having done a little more research it seems that Placidyl also has a chronic/low grade overdosage syndrome which comprises of: Confusion, memory loss, ataxia and peripheral neuropathy.

That's all SWIM could find. She doesn't have any experience of it's use.

Reputation Comments on this post:

SHe did some very helpful research

[pharmapsyche]

Thanks for the info, I really appreciate your knowledge!

[dan50]

I used to get them en masse when I was in jr high school and high school
As far as I know Abbott no longer makes "placidyl" but ethchlorvinyl is available as a generic
It does have a bit of a buzz--esp if you chew the liquid filled pills
and drink with them (tastes nasty)
Otherwise, the bit of a buzz doesnt last but then I was used to eating them
like jellybeans and their street name was jelly reds (or greens) depending on what strength capsule you had at the moment

They were a much nicer sedative than a barbiturate but not nearly as
euphoric as methaquaalone even though they did "hit" nicely and you didnt give a damn about anything (not a care in the world ) when they came on strong

[LuLu]

Been awhile since this question was posted, but I saw it while looking around. This drug was around and popular thirty years ago, SWIM used to call them red hots or just 750 for the green 750mg. They were good for a nice, mellow buzz if you like being relaxed and chilled out. BTW, SWIM hasn't thought about them for years! Brought back some memories!