What is "ethoheptazine"

n. (context pharmaceutical drug English) A particular narcotic painkiller.

Ethoheptazine (trade name Zactane) is an opioid analgesic from the phenazepane family. It was invented in the 1950s and is related to other drugs such as proheptazine and pethidine.

Ethoheptazine produces similar effects to other opioids, including analgesia, sedation, dizziness and nausea. It was sold by itself as Zactane, and is still available as a combination product with acetylsalicylic acid and meprobamate as Equagesic, which is used for the treatment of conditions where both pain and anxiety are present. It was also investigated for use as an antitussive.

Its no longer sold in the United States however it may be sold again if the law is changed to remove the drug from the CSD. Ethoheptazine is not listed as a controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act 1970 in the United States. The controlled status (Schedule IV) of Equagesic was due to the meprobamate content. Regulation elsewhere varies. The Canadian Controlled Drugs & Substances act specifically excludes the phenazepine opioids, including proheptazine, from control.