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Chlorazepate: Full Drug Profile

Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026

Chlorazepate - General Information

A water-soluble benzodiazepine derivative effective in the treatment of anxiety. It has also muscle relaxant and anticonvulsant actions.

 

Pharmacology of Chlorazepate

Chlorazepate is a member of the group of drugs called benzodiazepines. Pharmacologically, clorazepate has the characteristics of the benzodiazepines. It has depressant effects on the central nervous system. The primary metabolite, nordiazepam, quickly appears in the blood stream. Studies in healthy men have shown that clorazenate has depressant effects on the central nervous system. Since orally administered clorazepate dipotassium is rapidly decarboxylated to form nordiazepam, there is essentially no circulating parent drug.

 

Chlorazepate for patients

To assure the safe and effective use of benzodiazepines, patients should be informed that, since benzodiazepines may produce psychological and physical dependence, it is essential that they consult with their physician before either increasing the dose or abruptly discontinuing this drug.

 

Chlorazepate Interactions

If TRANXENE is to be combined with other drugs acting on the central nervous system, careful consideration should be given to the pharmacology of the agents to be employed. Animal experience indicates that clorazepate dipotassium prolongs the sleeping time after hexobarbital or after ethyl alcohol, increases the inhibitory effects of chlorpromazine, but does not exhibit monoamine oxidase inhibition. Clinical studies have shown increased sedation with concurrent hypnotic medications. The actions of the benzodiazepines may be potentiated by barbiturates, narcotics, phenothiazines, monoamine oxidase inhibitors or other antidepressants.

If TRANXENE tablets are used to treat anxiety associated with somatic disease states, careful attention must be paid to possible drug interaction with concomitant medication.

In bioavailability studies with normal subjects, the concurrent administration of antacids at therapeutic levels did not significantly influence the bioavailability of TRANXENE tablets.

 

Chlorazepate Contraindications

Clorazepate tablets are contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to the drug and in those with acute narrow angle glaucoma.

 

Additional information about Chlorazepate

Chlorazepate Indication

For the management of anxiety disorders or for the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety. Also used as adjunctive therapy in the management of partial seizures and for the symptomatic relief of acute alcohol withdrawal.

Mechanism Of Action
Benzodiazepines bind nonspecifically to benzodiazepine receptors BNZ1, which mediates sleep, and BNZ2, which affects affects muscle relaxation, anticonvulsant activity, motor coordination, and memory. As benzodiazepine receptors are thought to be coupled to gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) receptors, this enhances the effects of GABA by increasing GABA affinity for the GABA receptor. Binding of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA to the site opens the chloride channel, resulting in a hyperpolarized cell membrane that prevents further excitation of the cell.
Drug Interactions
Amprenavir Amprenavir increases the effect and toxicity of benzodiazepine
Food Interactions
Take without regard to meals.
Generic Name
Clorazepate
Drug Category
Anti-anxiety Agents; Anticonvulsants; GABA Modulators
Drug Type
Small Molecule; Illicit; Approved
Other Brand Names containing Clorazepate
Chlorazepate; Chlorazepic acid; Clorazepate dipotassium; Clorazepic acid; Clorazepic acid [BAN]; Gen-xene; Tranxene;
Absorption
Rapidly absorbed following oral administration (bioavailability is 91%).
Toxicity (Overdose)
Oral LD50 in rats is 1320 mg/kg. In monkeys, oral LD50 exceed 1600 mg/kg. Symptoms of overdose include confusion, coma, impaired coordination, sleepiness, and slowed reaction time.
Protein Binding
The protein binding of nordiazepam in plasma is high (97-98%).
Biotransformation
The drug is metabolized in the liver and excreted primarily in the urine. The primary metabolite, nordiazepam, is further metabolized by hydroxylation. The major urinary metabolite is conjugated oxazepam (3-hydroxynordiazepam), and smaller amounts of conjugated p-hydroxynordiazepam and nordiazepam are also found in the urine.
Half Life
The serum half-life is about 2 days. Nordiazepam, the primary metabolite, quickly appears in the blood and is eliminated from the plasma with an apparent half-life of about 40 to 50 hours.
Dosage Forms of Chlorazepate
Capsule Oral
Chemical IUPAC Name
7-chloro-2-oxo-5-phenyl-1,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodiazepine-3-carboxylic acid
Chemical Formula
C16H11ClN2O3
Organisms Affected
Humans and other mammals