Global emergence and γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor activity of the new designer benzodiazepine ethylbromazolam
Archives of Toxicology May 20, 2026 Caitlyn Norman, Dean Acreman, Meera Bissram et al.
Ethylbromazolam, a new designer benzodiazepine, has emerged in Canada, the UK, Australia, and Germany, with increasing detections since November 2024 and a concurrent decrease in bromazolam detections, likely due to bromazolam's international control on December 3, 2024. Other designer benzodiazepines like desalkylgidazepam and clobromazolam have also increased. In vitro patch clamp assays show ethylbromazolam has similar activity at the GABA-A receptor as bromazolam, with EC50 values of 10.1 nM and 15.2 nM respectively, indicating comparable pharmacological activity and potential harm. Ongoing market monitoring is recommended.