Classification: Downer/Sedative/Anxiolytic
The first benzodiazepine, chlordiazepoxide (Librium), was discovered accidentally by Leo Sternbach in 1955, and made available in 1960 by Hoffmann–La Roche, which has also marketed diazepam (Valium) since 1963.
Source: Shorter E (2005). "Benzodiazepines". A Historical Dictionary of Psychiatry. Oxford University Press. pp. 41–2. ISBN 0-19-517668-5.
Chemical name (brand name) | Half-Life [Active Metabolites] | Dose Equiv. of 10mg Diazepam (Oral) | Class |
---|---|---|---|
Alprazolam (Xanax) | 6 - 12 hours | 0.5 mg | Anxiolytic |
Bromazepam (Lexotan, Lexomil) | 10 - 20 hours | 5 - 6 mg | Anxiolytic |
Chlordazepoxide (Librium) | 5 - 30 hours [36 - 200 hours] | 25 mg | Anxiolytic |
Clobazam (Frisium) | 12 - 60 hours | 20 mg | Anxiolytic |
Clonazepam (Klonopin) | 18 - 50 hours | 0.5 mg | Anxiolytic |
Clorazepate (Tranxene) | [36 - 200 hours] | 15 mg | Anxiolytic |
Diazepam (Valium) | 20 - 100 hours [36 - 200 hours] | 10 mg | Anxiolytic |
Estazolam (ProSom, Nuctalon) | 10 - 24 hours | 1 - 2 mg | Hypnotic |
Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) | 18 - 26 hours [36 - 200 hours] | 1 mg | Hypnotic |
Flurazepam (Dalmane) | [40 - 250 hours] | 15 - 30 mg | Hypnotic |
Halazepam (Paxipam) | [30 - 100 hours] | 20 mg | Anxiolytic |
Ketazolam (Paxipam) | 30 - 100 hours [36 - 200 hours] | 15 - 30 mg | Anxiolytic |
Loprazolam (Dormonoct) | 6 - 12 hours | 1 - 2 mg | Hypnotic |
Lorazepam (Ativan) | 10 - 20 hours | 1 mg | Anxiolytic |
Lormetazepam (Noctamid) | 10 - 12 hours | 1 - 2 mg | Hypnotic |
Medazepam (Nobrium) | 36 - 200 hours | 10 mg | Anxiolytic |
Nitrazepam (Mogadon) | 15 - 38 hours | 10 mg | Hypnotic |
Nordazepam (Nordaz) | 36 - 200 hours | 10 mg | Anxiolytic |
Oxazepam (Serax) | 4 - 15 hours | 20 mg | Anxiolytic |
Prazepam (Centrax) | [36 - 200 hours] | 10 - 20 mg | Anxiolytic |
Quazepam (Doral) | 25 - 100 hours | 20 mg | Hypnotic |
Temazepam (Restoril) | 8 - 22 hours | 20 mg | Hypnotic |
Triazolam (Halcion) | 2 hours | 0.5 mg | Hypnotic |
Chemical name (brand name) | Half-Life [Active Metabolites] | Dose Equiv. of 10mg Diazepam (Oral) | Class |
---|---|---|---|
Zaleplon (Sonata) | 2 hours | 20 mg | Hypnotic |
Zolpidem (Ambien) | 2 hours | 20 mg | Hypnotic |
Zopiclone (Imovane) | 5 - 6 hours | 15 mg | Hypnotic |
Eszopiclone (Lunesta) | 6 hours | 3 mg | Hypnotic |
Onset:
Alprazolam IR : 8-25 minutes
Alprazolam XR : 25-75 minutes
Diazepam : Rapid
Clonazapam : 1 hour
Lorazepam : 1-2 hours
Peak Benefit:
Diazepam : 1.6 hours
Alprazolam IR : 90 minutes
Alprazolam XR : 25-75 minutes
Diazepam : 2-4 hours
Clonazapam : 1-4 hours
Half/Life and Duration
Triazolam : 2.5 Hours
Lorazepam : 10-20 hours - 6-12 hour duration
Alprazolam IR : 11 hour half life - 5 hour duration
Alprazolam XR :11-16 hour hour half life, 11 hour duration
Diazepam : 20-100 hour half life - 6-8 hour duration
Clonazepam : 18-50 hour half life - 12+ hours
Dosages Depend on tolerance.
Potentiators:
Grapefruit juice
Avoid:
Excessive drinking (you will die)
Do not smoke, inject, or snort benzos.
Sources
Olsen RW, Betz H (2006). "GABAGamma aminobutyric acid an amino acid that is found in the central nervous system; acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter. and glycine". In Siegel GJ, Albers RW, Brady S, Price DD (eds.). Basic Neurochemistry: Molecular, Cellular and Medical Aspects (7th ed.). Elsevier. pp. 291–302. ISBN 0-12-088397-X.
Zavala F (1997). "Benzodiazepines, anxiety and immunity". Pharmacol Ther 75 (3): 199–216. doi:10.1016/S0163-7258(97)00055-7. PMID 9504140.
Narimatsu E, Niiya T, Kawamata M, Namiki A (2006). "[The mechanisms of depression by benzodiazepines, barbiturates and propofol of excitatory synaptic transmissions mediated by adenosine neuromodulation]". Masui (in Japanese) 55 (6): 684–91. PMID 16780077.
Juergens, MD, Steven M. "Understanding Benzodiazepines". California Society of Addiction Medicine. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
Carlo, Pia; Renata Finollo, Anna Ledda, Giovanni Brambilla (January 1989). "Absence of liver DNA fragmentation in rats treated with high oral doses of 32 benzodiazepine drugs". Fundamental and Applied Toxicology 12 (1): 34–41. doi:10.1016/0272-0590(89)90059-6. PMID 2925017.
Cite error: <ref>
tags exist, but no <references/>
tag was found