Benzodiazepines (Wiki)

Please note: Dosage equivalents are provided for certain drugs below and are denoted as unit equivalents, i.e. one unit of drug x is roughly the equivalent as one unit of drug y, where the dosage equal to one unit varies.

Benzodiazepines, also known as minor or trivial tranquilisers, are drugs that act as central nervous system (CNS) depressants, sedatives, hypnotics, anxiolytics, anticonvulsants, amnestics (inducing anterograde amnesia) and muscle relaxants.

Benzodiazepines are believed to be GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) agonists, acting on the GABA-A receptor. GABA is the principal inhibitory neurotransmitter in the mammalian CNS.

The drugs were used primarily in the 1960s and the 1970s and were hailed as a huge leap from the more primitive barbiturates.

These drugs are classically split into three groups: long lasting sedatives, moderate lasting drugs (usually between 6 and 10 hours) and short lasting compounds which last a maximum of 6 hours.

Benzodiazepines are, however, habit forming so long term use can be counterproductive. However, they are far less open to abuse and exhibit far less side effects, especially in overdose which can be fatal in the case of barbiturates.

In terms of tolerance, any hypnotic effect loses its power in a matter of days and the anxiolytic effects wane after a couple of months. Addiction is a problem not only thanks to withdrawal effects but also because of the chance of an iatrogenic disorder. For these reasons, treatment is confined to a maximum of one month, although a limit of two weeks is more common.

Overdoses may lead to coma, but the effects are still favourable to those of barbiturates.

Benzodiazepines have other uses too - they are sometimes prescribed to combat depression, agorophobia and premenstrual tension; many also act to reduce memories of events whilst the patient is under sedation, for example, during medical procedures. Some can also reduce physical symptoms such as muscular spasms.



Adinazolam (Wiki)

Brand names: Deracyn®
Formula: C19H18ClN5
Half life: Unknown
Single unit dose: Unknown
Recommended outpatient dose: 30mg per day [Highly Questionable]
Maximum outpatient dose: Unknown

This medicine exhibits anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, sedative and muscle relaxant properties and is indicated for the treatment of status epilepticus and anxiety.

Alprazolam (Wiki)

Brand names: Xanax®, Xanor®
Formula: C17H13ClN4
Half life: ~ 11.2 hours
Single unit dose: 0.5mg per day
Recommended outpatient dose: 0.75mg per day [Verified]
Maximum outpatient dose: 3mg per day [Verified]

Brand names Xanax and Xanor. Its half life is approximately 6 to 12 hours and is primarily used to battle anxiety and to treat (secondarily) depression. The patent for this drug expired in 1992. The medication can also be used to relieve symptoms of borderline personality disorder, although effectiveness in this capacity is still debated. It is the most addictive benzodiazepine available.

Bromazepam (Wiki)

Brand names: Compendium®, Creosedin®, Durazanil®, Lectopam®, Lexaurin®, Lexomil®, Lexotan®, Lexotanil®, Normoc®, Somalium®
Formula: C14H10BrNO3
Half life: ~ 10 to 20 hours (vague figure)
Single unit dose: 5.5mg per day
Recommended outpatient dose: 3mg per day [Not Verified]
Maximum outpatient dose: 9mg per day [Highly Questionable]

Marketed as Lexotan, Lexomil and Somalium, among others. Primarily used to battle anxiety based disorders and able to treat insomnia, its half life is roughly 10 to 20 hours. it is also thought to have sedative and muscle relaxant properties.

Brotizolam (Wiki)

Brand names: Lendormin®
Formula: C15H10BrClN4S
Half life: ~ 4.8 hours (IV) and 5.1 hours (oral)
Single unit dose: Unknown
Recommended outpatient dose: 0.25mg per day [Not Verified]
Maximum outpatient dose: 0.5mg per day [Highly Questionable]

This medication exhibits anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, sedative and muscle relaxant properties and is marketed under the name of Lendormin. It is not available to the USA or Canada at this time.

Camazepam (Wiki)

Brand names: Albego®
Formula: C19H18ClN3O3
Half life: 5 to 25 hours (vague figure; not a reliable figure)
Single unit dose: Unknown
Recommended outpatient dose: Unknown
Maximum outpatient dose: Unknown

Another benzodiazepine that has anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, sedative and muscle relaxant properties, camazepam is advertised under the name of Albego. Camazepam has a moderate half life and is believed to be the first benzodiazepine created and made available to health services, having been accidentally discovered by Leo Sterbach in 1960.

Chlordiazepoxide (Wiki)

Brand names: Librax®, Librocol®, Librelease®, Libritabs®, Librium®, Limbitrol®, Menrium®, Novo-Poxide®, Poxidium®, Tropium®
Formula: C16H14ClN3O
Half life: ~ 5 to 30 hours (vague figure; not a reliable figure)
Single unit dose: 25mg per day
Recommended outpatient dose: 30mg per day [Verified]
Maximum outpatient dose: 100mg per day [Verified]

With a wide ranging half life of 5 to 30 hours, this medicine is primarily used as an anxiolytic and is also known as Librium and Tropium in commercial circles and again has anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, sedative and muscle relaxant properties.

Cinolazepam (Wiki)

Brand names: Gerodorm®
Formula: C18H13ClFN3O3
Half life: ~ 9.3 hours
Single unit dose: Unknown
Recommended outpatient dose: Unknown
Maximum outpatient dose: Unknown

Yet another benzodiazepine that exhibits the standard anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, sedative and muscle relaxant properties. It is not available to the USA or Canada at this time.

Clobazam (Wiki)

Brand names: Frisium®, Mystan®, Urbanyl®
Formula: C16H13ClN2O2
Half life: ~ 18 hours
Single unit dose: 20mg per day
Recommended outpatient dose: 20mg per day [Not Verified]
Maximum outpatient dose: 80mg per day [Not Verified]

This drug happily deals with both anxiety (used since 1975) and also acts as an anticonvulsant (marketed as such since 1984). Marketed as Frisium, it has a half life of 12 to 60 hours. Used across the world, it can also be used to help treat (as a secondary drug) complex partial seizures, psychoses and status epilepticus.

Clonazepam (Wiki)

Brand names: Klonopin®, Rivotril®
Formula: C15H10ClN3O3
Half life: ~ 18 to 15 hours (vague figure; not a reliable figure)
Single unit dose: 0.5mg per day
Recommended outpatient dose: 5mg per day [Highly Questionable]
Maximum outpatient dose: 20mg per day [Not Verified]

A strong anticonvulsant, amnestic and anxiolytic, clonazepam is marketed under the brand names of Klonopin and Rivotril. It has a half life of 18 to 15 hours and is used to treat epilepsy, anxiety disorders, panic attacks, restless leg syndrome, mania (as a secondary drug), chronic fatigue syndrome, night terrors and tourette syndrome; it can also be used as an off-label treatment of hallucinogen persisting perception disorder.

Clorazepate (Wiki)

Brand names: Tranxene®
Formula: C16H11ClK2N4O4
Half life: ~ 36 to 200 hours
Single unit dose: 15mg per day
Recommended outpatient dose: 22.5mg per day [Not Verified]
Maximum outpatient dose: 120mg per day [Highly Questionable]

Known as Tranxene, this drug is primarily indicated as an anxiolytic; it has a half life of approximately 36 to 100 hours. As with most benzodiazepines, it exhibits anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, sedative and muscle relaxant properties. It is heavily used in cases of alcohol withdrawal and due to its long half life it works well as an anxiolytic.

Clotiazepam (Wiki)

Brand names: Trecalmo®
Formula: C16H15ClN2OS
Half life: ~ 6.5 to 17.8 hours (vague figure)
Single unit dose: Unknown
Recommended outpatient dose: Unknown
Maximum outpatient dose: Unknown

Again, this medicine has anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, sedative and muscle relaxant properties. Its brand name is Trecalmo and is unavailable in the USA and Canada.

Cloxazolam (Wiki)

Brand names: Akton®, Betavel®, Lubalix®, Olcadil®, Sepazon®
Formula: C17H14Cl2N2O2
Half life: ~ 65.9 hours
Single unit dose: Unknown
Recommended outpatient dose: Unknown
Maximum outpatient dose: Unknown

This drug is not available in the USA or Canada. It goes by the brand name of Sepazon and of course exhibits anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, sedative and muscle relaxant properties.

Diazepam (Wiki)

Brand names: Apozepam®, Bosaurin®, Dialar®, Diazemuls®, Seduxen®, Stesolid®, Valium®
Formula: C16H13ClN2O
Half life: ~ 20 to 100 hours (vague figure; not a reliable figure)
Single unit dose: 10mg per day
Recommended outpatient dose: 6mg per day [Verified]
Maximum outpatient dose: 30mg per day [Verified]

Another primarily anxiolytic drug, Diazepam has a half life of 20 to 100 hours and is marketed as Valium, Apzepam and Stesolid. The brand name Valium is synonymous with anxiolytic medications and was nicknamed "mothers little helper". It is effective against anxiety, muscle spasms, epilepsy and insomnia; it also exerts anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant and is amnestic, in certain cases. These effects make the drug useful in preparation to surgical procedures, reducing anxiety and fretting. Leo Sternbach, the man who engineered camazepam, first produced this drug in 1963 (ie. was first marketed in said year.) It is five times more potent than chlordiazepoxide and enjoyed widespread success. Production peaked in 1978, seeing 2.3 billion pills and between 1969 and 1982 it remained as the most popular medicine in production. Throughout its life, diazepam was applied to a broad spectrum of complaints and was welcomed as an effective medication in many fields, both as a lone drug and as a complimentary therapy to primary medications; it is even used by veterinarians to provide sedation. As with any drug of this class, great care must be taken throughout treatment in regards to contraindications. A harrowing example lies in the fate of Karen Ann Quinlan; in 1975 she was said to have taken a small amount of diazepam with alcohol. Consequently, she collapsed and lost her ability to breathe; she was sped to hospital, only to fall into a deep coma; she was labelled as being in a persistent vegetative state and finally passed away in 1985.

Doxefazepam (Wiki)

Brand names: Doxans®
Formula: C17H14ClFN2O3
Half life: ~ 3 to 8 hours (vague figure)
Single unit dose: Unknown
Recommended outpatient dose: Unknown
Maximum outpatient dose: Unknown

Marketed under the brand name of Doxans, this drug exhibited standard effects as per the average benzodiazepine. It is a derivative of the drug flurazepam and was demonstrated to be between 2 to 4 times more potent yet being half as toxic. Sadly, this medication is not available to the USA or Canada.

Estazolam (Wiki)

Brand names: Eurodin®, ProSom®
Formula: C16H11ClN4
Half life: ~ 10 to 24 hours (not a reliable figure)
Single unit dose: 1.5mg per day
Recommended outpatient dose: 1mg per day [Not Verified]
Maximum outpatient dose: 2mg per day [Not Verified]

This particular benzodiazepine is prescribed as a short term treatment for insomnia, exhibiting hypnotic effects. It is marketed as ProSomor as Eurodin and has a half life of 10 to 24 hours.

Ethyl Loflazepate (Wiki)

Brand names: Meilax®
Formula: C18H14ClFN2O3
Half life: ~ 51 to 103 hours (vague figure)
Single unit dose: Unknown
Recommended outpatient dose: Unknown
Maximum outpatient dose: Unknown

Exhibiting the usual anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, sedative and muscle relaxant, it is marketed under the brand name Meilax.

Etizolam (Wiki)

Brand names: Sedekopan®
Formula: C17H15ClN4S
Half life: ~ 3.4 hours (not a reliable figure)
Single unit dose: Unknown
Recommended outpatient dose: Unknown
Maximum outpatient dose: Unknown

Etizolam goes by the brand name of Sedekopan. It exhibits the properties common to benzodiazepines. This medication is not available in the USA or Canada.

Fludiazepam (Wiki)

Brand names: Erispan®
Formula: C16H12ClFN2O
Half life: Unknown
Single unit dose: Unknown
Recommended outpatient dose: 0.25mg per day [Highly Questionable]
Maximum outpatient dose: Unknown

As with the above drug, etizolam, fludiazepam exhibits the typical properties of benzodiazepines. It is marketed under the name of Erispan; the drug is a fast acting, short lasting medication.

Flunitrazepam (Wiki)

Brand names: Rohypnol®
Formula: C16H12FN3O3
Half life: ~ 21 hours
Single unit dose: Unknown
Recommended outpatient dose: 1mg per day [Not Verified]
Maximum outpatient dose: 2mg per day [Not Verified]

Another hypnotic benzodiazepine, flunitrazepam is marketed as Rohypnol and Fluscand, among other names. Its half life is 18 to 26 hours and the drug itself is pretty powerful. Created in the first half of 1970, the drug was initially offered in doses of 1mg, 2mg and 5mg but due to its high potency the higher doses only the 1mg tablets remain. Currently it is only available in a very few countries such as the UK and is heavily restricted in others, such as Australia. It is reserved for severe insomnia that has proven to be heavily treatment resistant. The drug is famous for its illegal capabilities, including as the now famous date rape drug. Like many benzodiazepines, a sufficient dose can induse anterograde amnesia, making memories of the attack hard to retain. Benzodiazepines classically exhibit very similar effects to alcohol intoxication.This, combined with the fast acting nature of flunitrazepam, makes date rape incidences hard to solidly diagnose. If flunitrazepam is to be detected, tests must be adminitered very soon after intoxication. It is also used as a recreational drug, referred to as roofie. Specifically, the drug adds to the effects of heroin and softens the so called "crash". Kurt Cobain, for instance, overdosed on flunitrazepam and alcohol shortly before his death. Flunitrazepam is not available in the USA at this time.

Flurazepam (Wiki)

Brand names: Dalmane®
Formula: C21H23ClFN3O
Half life: ~ 40 to 250 hours (vague figure)
Single unit dose: 22.5mg per day
Recommended outpatient dose: 15mg per day [Not Verified]
Maximum outpatient dose: 30mg per day [Not Verified]

A long lasting hypnotic benzodiazepine, flurazepam has a huge half life of about 40 to 250 hours; it is advertised as Dalmane. This makes it the longest lasting benzodiazepine available, residing in the bloodstream for days.

Halazepam (Wiki)

Brand names: Paxipam®
Formula: C17H12ClF3N2O
Half life: ~ 14 hours
Single unit dose: 20mg per day
Recommended outpatient dose: 40mg per day [Not Verified]
Maximum outpatient dose: 160mg per day [Highly Questionable]

Primarily used to combat anxiety, halazepam a.k.a. Paxipam has a half life of 30 to 100 hours. It is a derivative of the benzodiazepine nordazepam and whilst it is chemically similar to chlordiazepoxide and diazepam, it is less toxic and less likely to exhibit unwanted side effects.

Hydazepam (Wiki)

Brand names: Gidazepam®
Formula: C17H15BrN4O2
Half life: Unknown
Single unit dose: Unknown
Recommended outpatient dose: Unknown
Maximum outpatient dose: Unknown

Hydazepam is a typical benzodiazepine, exhibiting similar effects to that of etizolam and fludiazepam.

Ketazolam (Wiki)

Brand names: Anseren®, Anxon®, Contamex®, Loftran®, Marcen®, Sedotime®, Solatran®, Unakalm®
Formula: C20H17ClN2O3
Half life: Unknown
Single unit dose: 22.5mg per day
Recommended outpatient dose: 15mg per day [Not Verified]
Maximum outpatient dose: 30mg per day [Highly Questionable]

A very short lasting drug, ketazolam is primarily used to reduce the symptoms of anxiety and has a half life of just 2 hours. It exhibits similar properties to benzodiazepines in general. This drug is not available as of this time in the USA.

Loprazolam (Wiki)

Brand names: Anseren®, Anxon®, Contamex®, Dormonoct®, Loftran®, Marcen®, Sedotime®, Solatran®, Unakalm®
Formula: C23H21ClN6O3
Half life: ~ 7 hours
Single unit dose: 1.5mg per day
Recommended outpatient dose: 1mg per day [Not Verified]
Maximum outpatient dose: 2mg per day [Not Verified]

Sold under the name of Dormonoct (among others) and with a half life of 6 to 12 hours, loprazolam is chiefly a hypnotic but still exhibits the standard profile of effects as do most benzodiazepines.

Lorazepam (Wiki)

Brand names: Ativan®, Tavor®, Temesta®
Formula: C15H10Cl2N2O2
Half life: ~ 10 to 20 hours
Single unit dose: 1mg per day
Recommended outpatient dose: 1mg per day [Verified]
Maximum outpatient dose: 4mg per day [Verified]

Lorazepam has a relatively short half life of 10 to 20 hours and works best on anxiety based disorders. It is readily absorbed into the body no matter how administered; with an intravenous injection, it can take just a few minutes to take hold; however, the half life can be in certain conditions rather long. Approximately 0.5mg of lorazepam is equal to 5mg of diazepam.

Lormetazepam (Methyllorazepam) (Wiki)

Brand names: Ergocalm®, Loramet®, Noctamid®
Formula: C16H12Cl2N2O2
Half life: ~ 10 to 12 hours
Single unit dose: 1.5mg per day
Recommended outpatient dose: 1mg per day [Not Verified]
Maximum outpatient dose: 1.5mg per day [Highly Questionable]

With a half life of 10 to 12 hours, lormetazepam is best used to combat insomnia and is additionally known as Ergocalm, Loramet and Noctamid. It exhibits, again, the same profile as typical benzodiazepines but is unfortunately not available in the USA or Canada at this time.

Medazepam (Wiki)

Brand names: Nobrium®
Formula: C16H15ClN2
Half life: ~ 36 to 150 hours (vague figure)
Single unit dose: 10mg per day
Recommended outpatient dose: Unknown
Maximum outpatient dose: Unknown

A long lasting anxiolytic benzodiazepine, medazepam (marketed as Nobrium) has a half life of about 36 to 200 hours and exhibits typical benzodiazepine properties.

Midazolam (Wiki)

Brand names: Dormicum®, Hypnovel®, Versed®
Formula: C18H13ClFN3
Half life: ~ 1.8 to 6.4 hours
Single unit dose: Unknown
Recommended outpatient dose: 2.5mg per day [Not Verified]
Maximum outpatient dose: 10mg per day [Not Verified]

Midazolam has a short half life of just 3 hours. It was introduced in 1976 and is thought to be more