n-desmethylclobazam

**N-desmethylclobazam** is an active metabolite of clobazam and a member of the benzodiazepine class. It demonstrates anticonvulsant effects and is considered the primary pharmacologically active metabolite found in circulation following oral administration of clobazam[1][3][5][6]. Its mechanism of action, similar to clobazam, is positive allosteric modulation at the GABA-A receptor, enhancing the inhibitory effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the central nervous system, and thereby reducing neuronal excitability and seizure activity[1][5]. In both animal studies and limited clinical settings, n-desmethylclobazam has shown efficacy in refractory epilepsy, especially when tolerance to clobazam develops more quickly than to the metabolite itself[1]. It is not itself FDA-approved as a pharmaceutical product, but is measured in serum to monitor clobazam therapy[7].

Other names

norclobazamN-CLBdesmethylclobazam