Adinazolam is classified as a novel benzodiazepine due to its recent emergence among forensic investigations in the United States. Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants. Novel benzodiazepines, often pirated from early drug discovery or pharmaceutical studies, have appeared on novel and illicit drug markets in recent years.
These substances have caused adverse events; fatalities linked to novel benzodiazepine use have occurred, commonly when used in combination with other depressants (e.g. opioids and alcohol). Unlike some novel benzodiazepines, there exist several published reports involving adinazolam.
The metabolism of adinazolam has been extensively studied, showing conversion to N-desmethyl adinazolam, N,N-didesmethyl adinazolam, and alpha-hydroxy alprazolam.
Adinazolam is structurally distinct from traditional benzodiazepines; however, it’s structure may be considered most similar to alprazolam, the difference being the addition of an aminoalkyl- group to the triazole ring. Adinazolam is not a scheduled substance in the United States.