1.1 Class members
Benzodiazepine |
Licensed indications* |
Formulations |
Strengths |
---|---|---|---|
alprazolam |
Moderate to severe anxiety states; anxiety associated with depression |
Tablets |
250 micrograms, 500 micrograms |
chlordiazepoxide |
Disabling or unacceptably distressing anxiety; muscle spasm; alcohol withdrawal |
Tablets |
5 mg, 10 mg |
clobazam |
Disabling or unacceptably distressing anxiety; anxiety associated with depression (in conjunction with other treatment); adjunctive therapy of epilepsy |
Tablets |
10 mg |
clonazepam |
Epileptic disease |
Tablets |
500 micrograms, 2 mg |
Status epilepticus |
Injection |
1 mg/ml: 1 ml |
|
diazepam |
Disabling or unacceptably distressing anxiety; cerebral palsy; muscle spasm; adjunctive treatment of epilepsy; alcohol withdrawal; premedication before dental procedures or before surgery |
Tablets |
2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg |
Oral solution |
2 mg/5 ml, 5 mg/5 ml |
||
Sedation before medical procedures; premedication before surgery; muscle spasm (eg in tetanus or poisoning); status epilepticus; severe acute anxiety or agitation (eg delirium tremens) |
Injection solution |
5 mg/ml: 2 ml |
|
Injection emulsion |
5 mg/ml: 2 ml |
||
Severe acute anxiety or agitation; convulsions; muscle spasm (eg in tetanus or poisoning); sedation before medical procedures |
Rectal solution |
2 mg/ml: 1.25 ml, 2.5 ml |
|
flurazepam |
Disabling or unacceptably distressing insomnia |
Capsules |
15 mg, 30 mg |
loprazolam |
Disabling or unacceptably distressing insomnia |
Tablets |
1 mg |
lorazepam |
Disabling or unacceptably distressing anxiety; premedication before dental procedures or before surgery |
Tablets |
1 mg, 2.5 mg |
Premedication before medical procedures; acute anxiety, excitement or mania; status epilepticus |
Injection |
4 mg/ml: 1 ml |
|
lormetazepam |
Disabling or unacceptably distressing insomnia |
Tablets |
500 micrograms, 1 mg |
midazolam |
Acute prolonged convulsive seizures |
Oromucosal solution |
5 mg/ml: 0.5 ml, 1 ml, 1.5 ml, 2 ml |
Sedation before medical procedures; premedication before surgery; induction of anaesthesia; sedative in combined anaesthesia; sedation for patients in intensive care |
Injection |
1 mg/ml: 2 ml, 5 ml, 10 ml |
|
nitrazepam |
Disabling or unacceptably distressing insomnia |
Tablets |
5 mg |
Oral suspension |
2.5 mg/5 ml |
||
oxazepam |
Disabling or unacceptably distressing anxiety |
Tablets |
10 mg, 15 mg |
temazepam |
Disabling or unacceptably distressing insomnia; premedication before medical procedures |
Tablets |
10 mg, 20 mg |
Oral solution |
10 mg/5 ml |
||
*Consult summaries of product characteristics for up to date statements on authorised indications |
Diazepam is absorbed more rapidly and less erratically from oral tablets than from intramuscular injection. If rapid effect is needed, it is best to give diazepam either intravenously or as a rectal solution. Alternatives to diazepam include lorazepam by intravenous injection and oromucosal (‘buccal’) tablets of midazolam.
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