Norzopiclone  (Synonyms: N-Desmethyl zopiclone; RP 32273)

Norzopiclone is the inactive metabolite of Zopiclone. Norzopiclone has some anxiolytic properties.

The main urine metabolites of racemic zopiclone are the less active eszopiclone-N-oxide (RP 29753) and the inactive Norzopiclone (N-desmethyleszopiclone, RP 32273)^[1]. Zopiclone has two major metabolites, N-oxideZopiclone and Norzopiclone (N-desmethyl-Zopiclone). N-oxideZopiclone has a hypnotic activity lower than the parent Zopiclone, whereas Norzopiclone (N-desmethyl-Zopiclone) lacks hypnotic effect, but has some anxiolytic properties^[3].

MCE has not independently confirmed the accuracy of these methods. They are for reference only.

A demethylation metabolic pathway produces Norzopiclone (N-desmethylzopiclone), a metabolite which reportedly accounts for 15% of an oral dose of racemic Zopiclone, and which is also reportedly inactive^[2]. N-oxide-Zopiclone has a similar t_1/2 compared to parent Zopiclone, while the t_1/2 of Norzopiclone (N-desmethyl-Zopiclone) ranges from 7 to 11 h^[3].

MCE has not independently confirmed the accuracy of these methods. They are for reference only.

374.78

C₁₆H₁₅ClN₆O₃

59878-63-6

Room temperature in continental US; may vary elsewhere.

Please store the product under the recommended conditions in the Certificate of Analysis.

• [1]. Sha Y, et al. Synthesis of RP 48497, an impurity of eszopiclone. Molecules. 2008 Aug 22;13(8):1817-21.  [Content Brief]

  [2]. Thomas P. Jerussi, et al. Methods of making and using N-desmethylzopiclone. US 6339086 B1.

  [3]. Tornio A, et al. The CYP2C8 inhibitor gemfibrozil does not increase the plasma concentrations of zopiclone. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2006 Aug;62(8):645-51.  [Content Brief]