Benzodiazepines
General Information[edit | edit source]
Classification: Downer/Sedative/Anxiolytic
History[edit | edit source]
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.
Dosage[edit | edit source]
| 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 |
Oral[edit | edit source]
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.
Positive[edit | edit source]
- Stress Relief
- Anxiety Relief
- Social Anxiety
- PTSD
- Sedative
- Worries drift away
- That "sink into the couch" feeling
Neutral[edit | edit source]
Negative[edit | edit source]
- High addiction potential
- Killer withdrawals
- Risk of blackout
- Inability to drink
- Inability to dirve
- Loss of balance
- Memory Loss
- Procrastination
After effects[edit | edit source]
- "Hangover"?
- Afterglow
- Long term effects
- High addiction potential
Harm Reduction[edit | edit source]
- Avoid driving and operating machinery
- Recommended time (pauses) between using the substance
- Addiction potential - High
- Risk of blackouts
- Risk of death when mixed with alcohol or other drugs
- Mental illness
- Heart issues
- CNS depressant when mixed with other drugs
Chemistry and Pharmacology[edit | edit source]
- 2-keto compounds:
- chlordiazepoxide, clorazepate, diazepam, flurazepam, halazepam, prazepam, and others.
- 3-hydroxy compounds:
- lorazepam, lormetazepa,oxazepam, temazepam
- 7-nitro compounds:
- clonazepam, flunitrazepam, nimetazepam, nitrazepam
- Triazolo compounds:
- adinazolam, alprazolam, estazolam, triazolam
- Imidazo compounds
- climazolam, loprazolam, midazolam
Sources
Olsen RW, Betz H (2006). "GABA 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.
