Camazepam
Encyclopedia
Camazepam is a benzodiazepine
psychoactive drug which is the dimethyl carbamate
ester
of temazepam
, a metabolite of diazepam
. Whilst it possesses anxiolytic
, anticonvulsant
, skeletal muscle relaxant and hypnotic
properties it differs from other benzodiazepines in that its anxiolytic
properties are particularly marked but has only limited anticonvulsant
, hypnotic
and skeletal muscle relaxant properties. It is superior to other benzodiazepines due to its lack of typical benzodiazepine side effects such as impaired cognition, reaction times and coordination. Camazepam is best suited as an anxiolytic due to its reduced hypnotic effects and reduced cognitive and motor impairing effects. However, with higher doses such as 40 mg of camazepam, impairments similar to those which occur with other benzodiazepines appear such as disrupted sleep pattern and impaired cognitive performance. Animal studies have shown camazepam and its active metabolites have anticonvulsant
properties. Skin disorders have been reported with use of camazepam however. Camazepam is believed to increase attention. Camazepam unlike other benzodiazepines does not disrupt normal sleep patterns. Camazepam has been shown in animal experiments to have a very low affinity for benzodiazepine receptors compared to other benzodiazepines. Camazepam is almost completely absorbed into the bloodstream after oral administration with 90 percent bioavailability achieved in humans. Camazepam is metabolised into an active metabolite
temazepam. Compared to temazepam, camazepam has shown roughly equal anxiolytic properties, and less anticonvulsant, sedative and motor-impairing properties.
Benzodiazepine
A benzodiazepine is a psychoactive drug whose core chemical structure is the fusion of a benzene ring and a diazepine ring...
psychoactive drug which is the dimethyl carbamate
Carbamate
Carbamates are organic compounds derived from carbamic acid . A carbamate group, carbamate ester, and carbamic acids are functional groups that are inter-related structurally and often are interconverted chemically. Carbamate esters are also called urethanes.-Synthesis:Carbamic acids are derived...
ester
Ester
Esters are chemical compounds derived by reacting an oxoacid with a hydroxyl compound such as an alcohol or phenol. Esters are usually derived from an inorganic acid or organic acid in which at least one -OH group is replaced by an -O-alkyl group, and most commonly from carboxylic acids and...
of temazepam
Temazepam
Temazepam is an intermediate-acting 3-hydroxy benzodiazepine. It is mostly prescribed for the short-term treatment of sleeplessness in patients who have difficulty maintaining sleep...
, a metabolite of diazepam
Diazepam
Diazepam , first marketed as Valium by Hoffmann-La Roche is a benzodiazepine drug. Diazepam is also marketed in Australia as Antenex. It is commonly used for treating anxiety, insomnia, seizures including status epilepticus, muscle spasms , restless legs syndrome, alcohol withdrawal,...
. Whilst it possesses anxiolytic
Anxiolytic
An anxiolytic is a drug used for the treatment of anxiety, and its related psychological and physical symptoms...
, anticonvulsant
Anticonvulsant
The anticonvulsants are a diverse group of pharmaceuticals used in the treatment of epileptic seizures. Anticonvulsants are also increasingly being used in the treatment of bipolar disorder, since many seem to act as mood stabilizers, and in the treatment of neuropathic pain. The goal of an...
, skeletal muscle relaxant and hypnotic
Hypnotic
Hypnotic drugs are a class of psychoactives whose primary function is to induce sleep and to be used in the treatment of insomnia and in surgical anesthesia...
properties it differs from other benzodiazepines in that its anxiolytic
Anxiolytic
An anxiolytic is a drug used for the treatment of anxiety, and its related psychological and physical symptoms...
properties are particularly marked but has only limited anticonvulsant
Anticonvulsant
The anticonvulsants are a diverse group of pharmaceuticals used in the treatment of epileptic seizures. Anticonvulsants are also increasingly being used in the treatment of bipolar disorder, since many seem to act as mood stabilizers, and in the treatment of neuropathic pain. The goal of an...
, hypnotic
Hypnotic
Hypnotic drugs are a class of psychoactives whose primary function is to induce sleep and to be used in the treatment of insomnia and in surgical anesthesia...
and skeletal muscle relaxant properties. It is superior to other benzodiazepines due to its lack of typical benzodiazepine side effects such as impaired cognition, reaction times and coordination. Camazepam is best suited as an anxiolytic due to its reduced hypnotic effects and reduced cognitive and motor impairing effects. However, with higher doses such as 40 mg of camazepam, impairments similar to those which occur with other benzodiazepines appear such as disrupted sleep pattern and impaired cognitive performance. Animal studies have shown camazepam and its active metabolites have anticonvulsant
Anticonvulsant
The anticonvulsants are a diverse group of pharmaceuticals used in the treatment of epileptic seizures. Anticonvulsants are also increasingly being used in the treatment of bipolar disorder, since many seem to act as mood stabilizers, and in the treatment of neuropathic pain. The goal of an...
properties. Skin disorders have been reported with use of camazepam however. Camazepam is believed to increase attention. Camazepam unlike other benzodiazepines does not disrupt normal sleep patterns. Camazepam has been shown in animal experiments to have a very low affinity for benzodiazepine receptors compared to other benzodiazepines. Camazepam is almost completely absorbed into the bloodstream after oral administration with 90 percent bioavailability achieved in humans. Camazepam is metabolised into an active metabolite
Active metabolite
- Prodrugs :Sometimes drugs are formulated deliberately so they will break down inside the body to form the active drug, these are called prodrugs. The reason for this may be because the drug is more stable during manufacture and storage as the prodrug form, or because the prodrug is better...
temazepam. Compared to temazepam, camazepam has shown roughly equal anxiolytic properties, and less anticonvulsant, sedative and motor-impairing properties.