[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Benzodiazepines](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/benzodiazepines/) › Chlordiazepoxide [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) · [Benzodiazepines](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/benzodiazepines/) # Chlordiazepoxide A long-acting, self-tapering benzodiazepine (active metabolites) used for anxiety and to prevent the dangers of alcohol withdrawal. Updated 2026-11-01 - Class: [Benzodiazepines](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/benzodiazepines/) - Receptor: GABA-A receptor, benzodiazepine site - ATC code: N05BA02 ◎**GABA-A receptor, benzodiazepine site**Chlordiazepoxide ⓘ The figure shows diazepam, a benzodiazepine that occupies the same site, bound to the human GABA-A receptor (α1β2γ2) with GABA; no structure with chlordiazepoxide is available. **Target in 3D:** GABA-A receptor, benzodiazepine site. PDB structure 6X3X (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/6X3X) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom ## Mechanism of action Chlordiazepoxide binds the benzodiazepine site of the GABA-A receptor and makes GABA open the chloride channel more often. Its long action smooths out the drop in GABA activity when a heavy drinker stops alcohol, preventing tremor, seizures and delirium. - Binds the benzodiazepine site of the GABA-A receptor - Replaces the GABA boost that alcohol used to give - Withdrawal tremor, seizures and delirium are prevented ## Pharmacokinetics **Absorption** Given by mouth **Elimination** In the urine, very little unchanged **Half-life** 24 to 48 hours ## Indications - Withdrawal symptoms of acute alcoholism [Alcohol withdrawal and delirium tremens →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/alcohol-withdrawal-and-delirium-tremens/) - Anxiety disorders and short-term relief of anxiety [Generalized anxiety disorder →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/generalized-anxiety-disorder/) - Anxiety before surgery ## Adverse effects ### Common - Drowsiness - Unsteadiness (ataxia) and oversedation, especially in older adults ### Serious (rare, important) - Profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death when combined with opioids - Abuse, misuse and addiction - Physical dependence; stopping suddenly can cause life-threatening withdrawal, including seizures ## Contraindications - Hypersensitivity to chlordiazepoxide ## Key interactions **Opioids** Profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death **Alcohol and other central nervous system depressants** Additive sedation and breathing depression **MAO inhibitors and phenothiazines** Stronger effects; combinations are generally avoided **Oral anticoagulants** Rare variable effects on clotting ## What is monitored - Withdrawal signs and sedation level with a withdrawal scale - Breathing and alertness - Liver and kidney function, which slow clearance ## Administration and safety - Given by mouth (capsules) - Controlled medicine; tapered when stopped ## Nursing care - Before each dose, check level of alertness, breathing rate and oxygen saturation - Ask about opioids, alcohol and other sedatives - Prevent falls, especially in older adults (unsteadiness, confusion) - Teach not to drive or drink alcohol and not to stop the medicine suddenly ## Pregnancy and breastfeeding Use late in pregnancy can cause sedation and withdrawal symptoms in the newborn, who is watched after birth. ## Memory aid Chlordiazepoxide: «Chlor-DIA-zepoxide for the DTs» – long-acting cover for alcohol withdrawal. ## Test yourself Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it. ## Why are long-acting benzodiazepines used in alcohol withdrawal? They give a smooth, self-tapering GABA effect that prevents seizures and delirium tremens. ## Besides alcohol withdrawal, what are the labelled uses of chlordiazepoxide? Anxiety disorders and anxiety before surgery. ## What is the half-life range of chlordiazepoxide? Between 24 and 48 hours. [Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/chlordiazepoxide/) ## Related drugs - [Diazepam](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/diazepam/) - [Oxazepam](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/oxazepam/) - [Lorazepam](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/lorazepam/) - [Flumazenil](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/flumazenil/) ## Related conditions - [Alcohol withdrawal and delirium tremens](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/alcohol-withdrawal-and-delirium-tremens/) - [Generalized anxiety disorder](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/generalized-anxiety-disorder/) [← Back to the class: Benzodiazepines](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/benzodiazepines/) Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given. Sources: [DailyMed - CHLORDIAZEPOXIDE HYDROCHLORIDE capsule](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=1eb5eb7a-8c5f-43a3-9b9f-6321cdb6f6c7) (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=N05BA02) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026); Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 14th ed., ch. 22 (McGraw Hill, 2023). ## **Spotted a mistake?** We are always improving for the community. Tell us what is wrong and our team will review it. Report a mistake Representative model, for educational purposes only. --- Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/chlordiazepoxide/ License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/chlordiazepoxide/