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BENZODIAZEPINEEQUIVALENCETABLE
(BenzodiazepineEquivalencyTable)

RevisedApril2007
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.Theapproximateequivalentdosesto10mgdiazepam(Valium)aregiven.
ForadiscussionofhalflivesandequivalenciesseealsotheBenzoFAQdocument.
Halflife(hrs)2
[active
metabolite]

Approximately
Equivalent
Oraldosages(mg)3

Market
Aim4

612

0.5

1020

56

530[36200]

25

Clobazam
(Frisium)5

1260

20

a,e

Clonazepam
(Klonopin,Rivotril)5

1850

0.5

a,e

[36200]

15

20100[36200]

10

1024

12

1826[36200]

Flurazepam
(Dalmane)

[40250]

1530

Halazepam
(Paxipam)

[30100]

20

Ketazolam
(Anxon)

30100[36200]

1530

Benzodiazepines1

Alprazolam
(Xanax,Xanor,Tafil)
Bromazepam
(Lexotan,Lexomil)
Chlordiazepoxide
(Librium)

Clorazepate
(Tranxene)
Diazepam
(Valium)
Estazolam
(ProSom,Nuctalon)
Flunitrazepam
(Rohypnol)

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Loprazolam
(Dormonoct)

612

12

Lorazepam
(Ativan,Temesta,Tavor)

1020

Lormetazepam
(Noctamid)

1012

12

Medazepam
(Nobrium)

36200

10

Nitrazepam
(Mogadon)

1538

10

Nordazepam
(Nordaz,Calmday)

36200

10

Oxazepam
(Serax,Serenid,
Serepax,Seresta)

415

20

[36200]

1020

25100

20

822

20

Triazolam
(Halcion)

0.5

Nonbenzodiazepines
withsimilareffects1, 6

Zaleplon
(Sonata)

20

Zolpidem
(Ambien,Stilnoct,
Stilnox)

20

56

15

6
(9inelderly)

Prazepam
(Centrax,Lysanxia)
Quazepam(Doral)
Temazepam
(Restoril,Normison,
Euhypnos)

Zopiclone
(Zimovane,Imovane)
Eszopiclone
(Lunesta)

1.All these drugs are recommended for shortterm use only (24 weeks maximum). See
1988Guidelines.
2.Halflife: time taken for blood concentration to fall to half its peak value after a single
dose. Halflife of active metabolite shown in square brackets. This time may vary
considerablybetweenindividuals.
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3.Theseequivalentsdonotagreewiththoseusedbysomeauthors.Theyarefirmlybased
on clinical experience during switchover to diazepam at start of withdrawal programs
butmayvarybetweenindividuals.
4.Market Aim: Although all benzodiazepines have similar actions, they are usually
marketedasanxiolytics(a),hypnotics(h)oranticonvulsants(e).
5.In the UK clobazam (Frisium) and clonazepam (Rivotril) are licensed for use as anti
epilepticsonly.
6.Thesedrugsarechemicallydifferentfrombenzodiazepinesbuthavethesameeffectson
thebodyandactbythesamemechanisms.

TheAshtonManualProfessorAshton'sMainPage

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