Biomaterial Database

Selection among benzodiazepines for alcohol withdrawal. 1977

M H Keeler, and W C Miller

Four pharmacologic differences among the benzodiazepines, which are the drugs of choice to conduct alcohol withdrawal, guide selection of the appropriate one: chlordiazepoxide, diazepam, oxazepam, or chlorazepate. Bases for selection include: (1) availability of other than oral dosage forms; (2) differences in additive effect with alcohol in producing central nervous system depression; (3) differences in anticonvulsant effect; and (4) differences in duration of effect in the body (ie, half-life). Decreasing dosage schedules are preferred to a steady dosage. Illustrative dosage schedules for using chlordiazepoxide and diazepam to conduct alcohol withdrawal are given.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D010076	Oxazepam	A benzodiazepine used in the treatment of anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, and insomnia.	Adumbran,Serax,Tazepam
D002490	Central Nervous System	The main information-processing organs of the nervous system, consisting of the brain, spinal cord, and meninges.	Cerebrospinal Axis,Axi, Cerebrospinal,Axis, Cerebrospinal,Central Nervous Systems,Cerebrospinal Axi,Nervous System, Central,Nervous Systems, Central,Systems, Central Nervous
D002707	Chlordiazepoxide	An anxiolytic benzodiazepine derivative with anticonvulsant, sedative, and amnesic properties. It has also been used in the symptomatic treatment of alcohol withdrawal.	Methaminodiazepoxide,7-Chloro-2-methylamino-5-phenyl-3H-1,4-benzodiazepine-4-oxide,7-Chloro-N-methyl-5-phenyl-3H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-amine 4-oxide,Chlordiazepoxide Hydrobromide,Chlordiazepoxide Hydrochloride,Chlordiazepoxide Monohydrochloride,Chlordiazepoxide Perchlorate,Chlozepid,Elenium,Librium,7 Chloro 2 methylamino 5 phenyl 3H 1,4 benzodiazepine 4 oxide,7 Chloro N methyl 5 phenyl 3H 1,4 benzodiazepin 2 amine 4 oxide,Hydrobromide, Chlordiazepoxide,Hydrochloride, Chlordiazepoxide,Monohydrochloride, Chlordiazepoxide,Perchlorate, Chlordiazepoxide
D003009	Clorazepate Dipotassium	A water-soluble benzodiazepine derivative effective in the treatment of anxiety. It has also muscle relaxant and anticonvulsant actions.	Chlorazepate,Dipotassium Chlorazepate,4306-CB,Clorazepate,Clorazepate Monopotassium,Clorazepic Acid,Tranxene,Tranxilium
D003864	Depression, Chemical	The decrease in a measurable parameter of a PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESS, including cellular, microbial, and plant; immunological, cardiovascular, respiratory, reproductive, urinary, digestive, neural, musculoskeletal, ocular, and skin physiological processes; or METABOLIC PROCESS, including enzymatic and other pharmacological processes, by a drug or other chemical.	Chemical Depression,Chemical Depressions,Depressions, Chemical
D003975	Diazepam	A benzodiazepine with anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, sedative, muscle relaxant, and amnesic properties and a long duration of action. Its actions are mediated by enhancement of GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID activity.	7-Chloro-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one,Apaurin,Diazemuls,Faustan,Relanium,Seduxen,Sibazon,Stesolid,Valium
D004357	Drug Synergism	The action of a drug in promoting or enhancing the effectiveness of another drug.	Drug Potentiation,Drug Augmentation,Augmentation, Drug,Augmentations, Drug,Drug Augmentations,Drug Potentiations,Drug Synergisms,Potentiation, Drug,Potentiations, Drug,Synergism, Drug,Synergisms, Drug
D006207	Half-Life	The time it takes for a substance (drug, radioactive nuclide, or other) to lose half of its pharmacologic, physiologic, or radiologic activity.	Halflife,Half Life,Half-Lifes,Halflifes
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000284	Administration, Oral	The giving of drugs, chemicals, or other substances by mouth.	Drug Administration, Oral,Administration, Oral Drug,Oral Administration,Oral Drug Administration,Administrations, Oral,Administrations, Oral Drug,Drug Administrations, Oral,Oral Administrations,Oral Drug Administrations