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Valmidate: Full Drug Profile

Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026

Valmidate - General Information

Valmidate is a short-acting sedative-hypnotic medication used to treat insomnia. Regular use leads to tolerance, and it is usually not effective for more than 7 days. Structurally, it does not resemble the barbituates, but it shares many effects with this class of drugs; the depressant effects of ethinamate are, however, generally milder than those of most barbiturates.

 

Pharmacology of Valmidate

Valmidate is used to treat insomnia (trouble in sleeping). However, it has generally been replaced by other medicines for the treatment of insomnia. If ethinamate is used regularly (for example, every day) to help produce sleep, it is usually not effective for more than 7 days. Structurally, it does not resemble the barbiturates, but it shares many effects with this class of drugs; the depressant effects of ethinamate are, however, generally milder than those of most barbiturates. Continued and inappropriate use of ethinamate can lead to tolerance and physical dependence, with withdrawal symptoms very similar to those of the barbiturates.

 

Valmidate for patients

 

Valmidate Interactions

May interact with addictive medications, especially central nervous system (CNS) depressants with habituating potential (prolonged concurrent use may increase the risk of habituation), alcohol or CNS depression–producing medications (concurrent use may increase the CNS depressant effects of either these medications or ethinamate).

 

Valmidate Contraindications

Contraindicated in alcoholism, drug abuse or dependence, history of (predisposition of patient to habituation or dependence), mental depression, pain, sensitivity to ethinamate.

 

Additional information about Valmidate

Valmidate Indication: Used for the short-term treatment of insomnia, however, it generally has been replaced by other sedative-hypnotic agents. Mechanism Of Action: The mechanism of action is not known. However, studies have shown that ethinamate inhibits carbonic anhydrases I and II (J Biol Chem. 1992 Dec 15;267(35):25044-50). This inhibition by ethinamate is not sufficiently strong to implicate carbonic anhydrases I and II in the mechanism of action. Drug Interactions: Not Available Food Interactions: Not Available Generic Name: Ethinamate Synonyms: USAF EL-42; Ethinamat; Ethinimate; Etinamate Drug Category: Hypnotics and Sedatives Drug Type: Small Molecule; Illicit; Approved Other Brand Names containing Ethinamate: Valamin; Valaminettae; Valaminetten; Valmid; Valmidate; Volamin; Absorption: Rapidly absorbed following oral administration. Toxicity (Overdose): Symptoms of overdose include shortness of breath or slow or troubled breathing, slow heartbeat, severe weakness, chronic confusion, slurred speech, and staggering. Protein Binding: Not Available Biotransformation: Hepatic. Half Life: 2.5 hours Dosage Forms of Valmidate: Not Available Chemical IUPAC Name: (1-ethynylcyclohexyl) carbamate Chemical Formula: C9H13NO2 Ethinamate on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethinamate Organisms Affected: Humans and other mammals