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Roeridorm: Full Drug Profile

Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026

Roeridorm - General Information

Roeridorm is a sedative and hypnotic drug. It has been used to treat insomnia, but has been largely superseded and is only offered where an intolerance or allergy to other drugs exists. [Wikipedia]

 

Pharmacology of Roeridorm

Roeridorm is a sedative drug and schedule IV (USA) controlled substance. It produces cerebral depression, however the exact mechanism of action is not known.

 

Roeridorm for patients

Avoid driving and other activities requiring alertness while taking this medication. Avoid alcohol and other depressants. Effects may take 2 nights before any benefits are noticed.

 

Roeridorm Interactions

Dicumarol and warfarin may decrease hypoprothrombinemic effect. Other depressasnts such as alcohol, barbiturates, and MAOIs may enhance CNS depression when administered with ethchlorvynol.

 

Roeridorm Contraindications

Contraindicated in patients exhibiting hypersensitivity to this drug, in patients with severe pain, and in patients with porphyria.

 

Additional information about Roeridorm

Roeridorm Indication

Used for short-term hypnotic therapy in the management of insomnia for periods of up to one week in duration; however, this medication generally has been replaced by other sedative-hypnotic agents.

Mechanism Of Action
Although the exact mechanism of action is unknown, ethchlorvynol appears to depress the central nervous system in a manner similar to that of barbiturates. Barbiturates bind at a distinct binding sites associated with a Cl- ionopore at the GABAA receptor, increasing the duration of time for which the Cl- ionopore is open. The post-synaptic inhibitory effect of GABA in the thalamus is, therefore, prolonged.
Drug Interactions
Anisindione Roeridorm decreases the anticoagulant effect
Food Interactions
Take with food to reduce irritation.
Generic Name
Ethchlorvynol
Synonyms
Aethyl-chlorvynol; Ethochlorvynol; Ethychlorvynol; Ethclorvynol; Ethchlorvinyl; Ethchlorvinol; Ethchlorovynol; Etchlorvinolo
Drug Category
Hypnotics and Sedatives
Drug Type
Small Molecule; Illicit; Approved
Other Brand Names containing Ethchlorvynol
Alvinol; Arvynol; Normonson; Normosan; Normoson; Nostel; Nromoson; Placidil; Placidyl; Roeridorm; Serenesil; Serenil; Serensil; Serensiloline;
Absorption
Rapidly absorbed from gastrointestinal tract.
Toxicity (Overdose)
Symptoms of overdose include thrombocytopenia.
Protein Binding
35-50%
Biotransformation
About 90% of a dose is metabolized in the liver. Some ethchlorvynol may also be metabolized in the kidneys. Ethchlorvynol and metabolites undergo extensive enterohepatic recirculation.
Half Life
Plasma half-life is approximately 10 to 20 hours, terminal half-life is 21-100 hours.
Dosage Forms of Roeridorm
Capsule Oral
Chemical IUPAC Name
1-chloro-3-ethylpent-1-en-4-yn-3-ol
Chemical Formula
C7H9ClO
Organisms Affected
Humans and other mammals