What is "glutethimide"

n. A hypnotic sedative formerly used as an alternative to barbiturates to treat insomnia.

n. sedative (trade name Doriden) used to treat some sleep disorders [syn: Doriden]

Glutethimide is a hypnotic sedative that was introduced by Ciba in 1954 as a safe alternative to barbiturates to treat insomnia. Before long, however, it had become clear that glutethimide was just as likely to cause addiction and caused similarly severe withdrawal symptoms. Doriden was the brand-name version of the drug; it was also available under the brand names Elrodorm, Noxyron, Glimid and others. Both the generic and brand-name forms are very rarely prescribed today. Current production levels in the United States (the annual quota for manufacturing imposed by the DEA has been three grams, enough for six Doriden tablets, for a number of years) point to it only being used in small scale research.