Ro 41-3290 is the desethylated derivative of Ro 41-3696, which is an agonist of nonbenzodiazepine partial at the benzodiazepine receptor.

At all times plasma levels of Ro 41-3290, the desethylated derivative of Ro 41-3696, are higher than those of the parent drug (tmax and t1/2 values=~2 and 8 hours, respectively)[1]. Ro 41-3696 is absorbed and eliminates rapidly (time of maximum plasma concentration, approximately 1 hour; elimination half-life, approximately 2 hours). Plasma levels of Ro 41-3290 are higher than those of the parent drug, and it is more slowly eliminated (values for time of maximum plasma concentration and elimination half-life, approximately 2 and approximately 7 hours, respectively)[2].