Benzodiazepines

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Benzodiazepine Equivalence Table

(Benzodiazepine Equivalency Table)

Revised June 2002

 

This Benzodiazepine Equivalence Table is based on the extensive research and

clinical experience of Professor C Heather Ashton, DM, FRCP, Emeritus Professor

of Clinical Psychopharmacology at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne,

England. Sources: NRHA Drug Newsletter, April 1985 and Benzodiazepines: How they

Work & How to Withdraw (The Ashton Manual), 2002. The approximate equivalent

doses to 10mg diazepam (Valium) are given.

 

For a discussion of half-lives and equivalencies see also the Benzo FAQ

document.

 

Benzodiazepines1Half-life (hrs)2

[active metabolite]Approximately Equivalent

Oral dosages (mg)3Market Aim4Alprazolam

(Xanax)6-120.5aBromazepam

(Lexotan, Lexomil)10-205-6aChlordiazepoxide

(Librium)5-30 [36-200]25aClobazam

(Frisium)512-6020a,eClonazepam

(Klonopin, Rivotril)518-500.5a,eClorazepate

(Tranxene)[36-200]15aDiazepam

(Valium)20-100 [36-200]10aEstazolam

(ProSom)10-24 1-2hFlunitrazepam

(Rohypnol)18-26 [36-200]1hFlurazepam

(Dalmane)[40-250]15-30hHalazepam

(Paxipam)[30-100]20aKetazolam

(Anxon)215-30aLoprazolam

(Dormonoct)6-121-2hLorazepam

(Ativan)10-201aLormetazepam

(Noctamid)10-121-2hMedazepam

(Nobrium)36-20010aNitrazepam

(Mogadon)15-3810hOxazepam

(Serax, Serenid,

Serepax)4-1520aPrazepam

(Centrax)[36-200]10-20aQuazepam (Doral)25-10020hTemazepam

(Restoril, Normison,

Euhypnos)8-2220hTriazolam

(Halcion)20.5hNon-benzodiazepines

with similar effects1, 6 Zaleplon

(Sonata)220hZolpidem

(Ambien, Stilnoct)220hZopiclone

(Zimovane, Imovane)5-615h

 

 

All these drugs are recommended for short-term use only (2-4 weeks maximum).

 

 

Half-life: time taken for blood concentration to fall to half its peak value

after a single dose. Half-life of active metabolite shown in square brackets.

This time may vary considerably between individuals.

 

 

These equivalents do not agree with those used by some authors. They are firmly

based on clinical experience during switch-over to diazepam at start of

withdrawal programs but may vary between individuals.

 

 

Market Aim: Although all benzodiazepines have similar actions, they are usually

marketed as anxiolytics (a), hypnotics (h) or anticonvulsants (e).

 

 

In the UK clobazam (Frisium) and clonazepam (Rivotril) are licensed for use as

anti-epileptics only.

 

 

These drugs are chemically different from benzodiazepines but have the same

effects on the body and act by the same mechanisms.

 

 

 

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