Ethyl loflazepate^[1] (marketed under the brand names Meilax, Ronlax and Victan)^[2][3][4] is a drug which is a benzodiazepine derivative. It possesses anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, sedative and skeletal muscle relaxant properties.^[5] In animal studies it was found to have low toxicity, although in rats evidence of pulmonary phospholipidosis occurred with pulmonary foam cells developing with long-term use of very high doses.^[6] Its elimination half-life is 51-103 hours.^[7] Its mechanism of action is similar to other benzodiazepines. Ethyl loflazepate also produces an active metabolite which is stronger than the parent compound.^[8] Ethyl loflazepate was designed to be a prodrug for descarboxyloflazepate, its active metabolite. It is the active metabolite which is responsible for most of the pharmacological effects rather than ethyl loflazepate.^[9] The main metabolites of ethyl loflazepate are descarbethoxyloflazepate, loflazepate and 3-hydroxydescarbethoxyloflazepate.^[10] Accumulation of the active metabolites of ethyl loflazepate are not affected by those with renal failure or impairment.^[11] The symptoms of an overdose of ethyl loflazepate include sleepiness, agitation and ataxia. Hypotonia may also occur in severe cases. These symptoms occur much more frequently and severely in children.^[12] Death from therapeutic maintenance doses of ethyl loflazepate taken for 2 – 3 weeks has been reported in 3 elderly patients. The cause of death was asphyxia due to benzodiazepine toxicity.^[13] High doses of the antidepressant fluvoxamine may potentiate the adverse effects of ethyl loflazepate.^[14]

Ethyl loflazeplate is commercialized in Mexico, but not prescribed very often, under the trade name Victan. It is officially approved for the following conditions:^[15][16]

• Anxiety
• Post-trauma anxiety
• Anxiety associated with severe neuropathic pain.
• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
• Anxiety “crisis”
• Delirium tremens

• Benzodiazepine

Template:Benzodiazepines Template:Anxiolytics