PS268 Lecture Notes - Clidinium Bromide, Chlordiazepoxide, Diazepam
Benzodiazepines
-first one was chlordizeproxide marketed under name Librium in US and Librax in CA in
1960 as a more selective anti anxiety agent that produced less drowsiness and had large
safety margin
-clinical practice said dependence was unheard off, overdose only occurred inc combo with
other depressant drugs, and psychological dependence seemed rare – they were safe and as
effective as barbiturates
-Librium was supplanted in early 70s by Valium (diazepam), a more potent (lower dose)
agent made by same company and from 72-78 was leading seller among all prescriptions
-since then, no single benzodiazepine has so dominated the market
-however Xanax (alprazolam) is currently most widely prescribed among this class
-as it became widely used, reports again appeared of dependence and overdose
-diazepam has more rapid onset than chlordiazepoxide but longer metabolism thus
produces more psychological dependence than chlordiazeproxide however no withdrawal
symptoms
-benzodiazpines are most frequently prescribed psychotropic meds (3-4% of people use)
-used for anxiety disorders, sleep disorders, seizures, movement disorders, muscle
spasticity, mood disorders etc
-in emergencies, they are preferred treatment of withdrawal from alcohol and sedative-
hypnotics (clinical efficacy of benzodiazepines is similar but drugs differ in
pharmacokinetic properties like potency/onset etc)
find more resources at oneclass.com
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Document Summary
First one was chlordizeproxide marketed under name librium in us and librax in ca in. 1960 as a more selective anti anxiety agent that produced less drowsiness and had large safety margin. Clinical practice said dependence was unheard off, overdose only occurred inc combo with other depressant drugs, and psychological dependence seemed rare they were safe and as effective as barbiturates. Librium was supplanted in early 70s by valium (diazepam), a more potent (lower dose) agent made by same company and from 72-78 was leading seller among all prescriptions. Since then, no single benzodiazepine has so dominated the market. However xanax (alprazolam) is currently most widely prescribed among this class. As it became widely used, reports again appeared of dependence and overdose. Diazepam has more rapid onset than chlordiazepoxide but longer metabolism thus produces more psychological dependence than chlordiazeproxide however no withdrawal symptoms. Benzodiazpines are most frequently prescribed psychotropic meds (3-4% of people use)
