Summary
The novel benzodiazepine derivative, meclonazepam (3-methylclonazepam) has been found to be orally effective at high doses against all stages of schistosomiasis. Animals studies have shown it to have a high therapeutic index and a profile of behavioural activity typical of the benzodiazepines. The effects of single oral doses of meclonazepam, 1, 2 and 4 mg on central arousal, psychomotor performance and subjective mood were studied in two double-blind placebo controlled studies in healthy volunteers. In doses exceeding 1 mg, meclonazepam caused marked dose-related impairment in cognitive and psychomotor functions as well as shifts in mood reflecting sedation and ataxia. These effects were most prominent in the first 3 h after administration, with moderate sedation still present 6 h after the 4 mg dose. The implications of these findings for the use of benzodiazepine agents in the treatment of schistosomiasis are discussed.
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O'Boyle, C., Lambe, R. & Darragh, A. Central effects in man of the novel schistosomicidal benzodiazepine meclonazepam. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 29, 105–108 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00547377
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00547377