Short answer: Etizolam is a benzodiazepine-like drug prescribed for anxiety in Japan, Italy, and India but never approved in the US. It was sold online as a 'research chemical' and in counterfeit pills. The DEA temporarily placed it in Schedule I in 2023 and made that permanent in April 2026.
Key takeaways
- What it is: Etizolam is a thienodiazepine (benzodiazepine-like) and a Schedule I controlled substance in the US.
- Medical use: None in the US (prescribed in Japan, Italy, and India).
- Timing: effects start in 30 to 60 minutes and last 5 to 7 hours.
- Most dangerous mix: Opioids, which can cause profound sedation, stopped breathing, death.
- Naloxone: it does not reverse this drug, but give it whenever opioids could be involved.
- Dependence risk: High.
- Legal route: none. Schedule I substances cannot be prescribed.
What is etizolam?
Etizolam is prescribed in some countries for anxiety, panic, and sleep problems. In the US it has no approved use and was sold online as a research chemical and in fake pills.
Effects resemble alprazolam: calm, sedation, muscle relaxation, and, at higher doses, memory loss and impaired coordination.
Quick facts
| Fact | Etizolam |
|---|---|
| Drug class | Thienodiazepine; acts like a short-acting benzodiazepine |
| US legal status | Schedule I (temporary from July 2023; permanent from April 1, 2026) |
| Approved elsewhere | Japan (Depas), Italy, India (Etilaam) |
| How it appears | Tablets, blotters, liquids, counterfeit pills |
| Onset | 30 to 60 minutes |
| Half-life | About 3.4 hours |
How long does etizolam last?
- Starts working: 30 to 60 minutes
- Effects last: 5 to 7 hours
- Half-life: About 3.4 hours
Timing varies with the dose, the form, how it is taken, liver and kidney function, age, and other drugs taken at the same time.
What are the biggest risks of etizolam?
Overdose with opioids or alcohol: deep sedation and slowed breathing, increasingly seen in overdose deaths alongside fentanyl.
Unknown dose: street and online products vary widely in strength.
Dependence: regular use leads quickly to dependence and withdrawal.
Warning: Counterfeit benzodiazepines can contain fentanyl. Never use alone, and carry naloxone.
What should you never mix with etizolam?
| Combined with | What happens | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Opioids | Profound sedation, stopped breathing, death | Dangerous |
| Alcohol | Blackouts, slowed breathing | Dangerous |
| Other sedatives | Deep sedation | Dangerous |
Check any combination with the DoseUses combination checker or ask a pharmacist.
What are the signs of an etizolam overdose, and what should you do?
Overdose causes deep drowsiness, confusion, poor coordination, and coma. With opioids or alcohol, breathing can stop.
If someone may have overdosed
- Call 911 if the person is unresponsive, hard to wake, or breathing slowly.
- For advice when the person is awake and stable, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US, free, 24 hours).
- If opioids could be involved, including pills not from a pharmacy, give naloxone if you have it. Naloxone does not reverse etizolam, but it will not harm the person.
- Stay with the person and place them on their side if they are drowsy or vomiting.
What is etizolam withdrawal like, and how long does it last?
Regular etizolam use causes dependence, and its short action means withdrawal can begin within a day.
- Hours to day 1Symptoms beginRebound anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, sweating, and tremor.
- Weeks 1 to 4Acute withdrawalPanic, irritability, muscle pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and in severe cases seizures or delirium.
- MonthsProtracted symptoms in some peopleA minority have lingering anxiety, poor sleep, low mood, or tingling that can last weeks to more than 12 months.
See the withdrawal timelines and the full etizolam withdrawal guide.
Is etizolam legal?
Etizolam is a Schedule I controlled substance. It was temporarily scheduled in July 2023, and a final rule made this permanent effective April 1, 2026.
- Possession: under federal law, a first conviction for possessing any controlled substance without a valid prescription can bring up to one year in prison and a minimum fine of $1,000.
- Bringing it from abroad: a prescription from Japan, Italy, or India does not make etizolam legal in the US.
Outside the United States
| Country | Status |
|---|---|
| Japan | Prescription medicine (Depas) |
| India | Prescription medicine |
| United Kingdom | Class C |
| International | Schedule IV of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances (2020) |
Frequently asked questions about etizolam
Is etizolam a benzodiazepine?
Technically it is a thienodiazepine, but it acts like a benzodiazepine.
Is etizolam legal in the US?
No. It is a Schedule I controlled substance, permanently since April 2026.
Can etizolam withdrawal cause seizures?
Yes. Stopping regular use suddenly is dangerous.
Does naloxone reverse etizolam?
No, but give it if opioids could be involved and breathing is slow.
Can I bring etizolam from another country?
No. A foreign prescription does not make it legal in the US.
Sources
- Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Etizolam, Flualprazolam, Clonazolam, Flubromazolam, and Diclazepam in Schedule I, final rule, Federal Register, March 2, 2026.
- 21 U.S.C. 844, Penalties for simple possession, Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School.
- National Helpline, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- FindTreatment.gov, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- International drug control conventions, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
This guide summarizes the sourced DoseUses Etizolam profile, written from FDA labels, DEA rules, and federal health agencies. It is educational and is not medical advice. Last updated October 5, 2026.
