ethchlorvynol

Ethchlorvynol is a GABA-ergic hypnotic sedative medication first developed by Pfizer in the 1950s. In the United States, it was sold by Abbott Laboratories under the trade name Placidyl. Placidyl was available in 200 mg, 500 mg, and 750 mg strength gel filled capsules. While the 500 mg and 750 mg strength capsules were for use in reducing sleep latency, the 200 mg strength capsules were intended to be used to re-induce sleep in case of early awakening. Abbott discontinued production in 1999 due to problems of the widespread abuse of minor tranquilizers, and non-barbiturate sedatives largely being replaced by the benzodiazepine family (with drugs such as Librium and Valium); by the end of 2001, ethchlorvynol reserves had dried up in the United States.

Theoretically, ethchlorvynol could be manufactured for sale in the United States by another pharmaceutical company (subject to FDA approval of such manufacture), though no pharmaceutical company has chosen to do so. Individuals with a valid prescription for the substance may legally transport a reasonable amount of ethchlorvynol with them into the United States. The availability of ethchlorvynol resembles similar barbiturate-like, GABA-ergic sedatives, such as glutethimide (Doriden, which ceased production in U.S. by 1993), ethinamate (Valmid), and methyprylon (vended as Noludar, Noctan, and Dimerin), which were voluntarily withdrawn in favor of benzodiazepine hypnotics in 1965, and supplies widely eliminated by 1969. These are all controlled substances, but are not illegal.