Etizolam at a glance: schedule, half-life, and class
- 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
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.[1]
In July 2023 the DEA temporarily placed etizolam and four other designer benzodiazepines in Schedule I. A final rule made the placement permanent effective April 1, 2026.[1]
Etizolam effects and how long they last
Effects resemble alprazolam: calm, sedation, muscle relaxation, and, at higher doses, memory loss and impaired coordination.[1]
Etizolam side effects and risks
Overdose with opioids or alcohol: deep sedation and slowed breathing, increasingly seen in overdose deaths alongside fentanyl.[1]
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.
Etizolam interactions: what is dangerous to mix with it
Choose what it would be combined with:
| Combined with | What happens | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Opioids | Profound sedation, stopped breathing, death | Dangerous |
| Alcohol | Blackouts, slowed breathing | Dangerous |
| Other sedatives | Deep sedation | Dangerous |
This is not a full list. Combining substances raises the risk of harm, especially when the contents of street drugs are unknown.
Etizolam overdose: signs and what to do
Overdose causes deep drowsiness, confusion, poor coordination, and coma. With opioids or alcohol, breathing can stop.[1]
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.
Etizolam withdrawal timeline: symptoms and how long it lasts
Regular etizolam use causes dependence, and its short action means withdrawal can begin within a day.[1]
- 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.
Warning: Stopping regular etizolam use suddenly can cause seizures. Seek medical help to taper.
Clinicians often switch to a longer-acting prescribed benzodiazepine and taper slowly.
Is etizolam legal in the US? Schedule and legal status
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.[1]
- 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.[2]
- Bringing it from abroad: a prescription from Japan, Italy, or India does not make etizolam legal in the US.
Where can someone get help with etizolam use?
- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357. Free, confidential, 24 hours a day, in English and Spanish. It gives referrals to local treatment and support.[3]
- FindTreatment.gov: a federal locator for state-licensed treatment programs, searchable by location, payment, and type of care.[4]
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988 for a mental health or substance use crisis.
- Your own clinician: a primary care doctor can screen, treat, and refer, and can discuss medicines that support recovery where they exist.
Etizolam legal status in other countries
| Country | Status |
|---|---|
| Japan | Prescription medicine (Depas) |
| India | Prescription medicine |
| United Kingdom | Class C |
| International | Schedule IV of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances (2020) |
Laws change and differ in detail. Check current rules before carrying any controlled medicine across a border.[5]
Common 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.
