Chlordiazepoxide

ATC code N05BA02

Also known as: Chlordiazepoxid, Klordiazepoksit

Key facts
Active substance: Chlordiazepoxide
Drug class: Benzodiazepine drug
ATC code: N05BA02
Authorisation: authorised nationally; no central EU authorisation
Information as of: 2026-10-29

Boxed warning

Concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs for patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required. Follow patients for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation (see and ).
The use of benzodiazepines, including chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride capsules, exposes users to risks of abuse, misuse, and addiction, which can lead to overdose or death. Abuse and misuse of benzodiazepines commonly involve concomitant use of other medications, alcohol, and/or illicit substances, which is associated with an increased frequency of serious adverse outcomes. Before prescribing chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride capsules and throughout treatment, assess each patient’s risk for abuse, misuse, and addiction (see ).
The continued use of benzodiazepines, including chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride capsules, may lead to clinically significant physical dependence. The risks of dependence and withdrawal increase with longer treatment duration and higher daily dose. Abrupt discontinuation or rapid dosage reduction of chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride capsules after continued use may precipitate acute withdrawal reactions, which can be life-threatening. To reduce the risk of withdrawal reactions, use a gradual taper to discontinue chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride capsules or reduce the dosage (see and ).

Key facts

Chlordiazepoxide is a benzodiazepine. Per the US prescribing information, it is used for anxiety disorders, withdrawal symptoms of acute alcoholism and preoperative anxiety.

What it is used for

Management of anxiety disorders and short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety
Withdrawal symptoms of acute alcoholism
Preoperative apprehension and anxiety
Effectiveness in long-term use, more than 4 months, has not been systematically assessed

Dosing

Individualize according to diagnosis and response
Mild and moderate anxiety: 5 mg or 10 mg, 3 or 4 times daily
Severe anxiety: 20 mg or 25 mg, 3 or 4 times daily
Geriatric or debilitated patients: 5 mg, 2 to 4 times daily
Children: start with the lowest dose, usually 5 mg, 2 to 4 times daily; not recommended under 6 years of age
Alcohol withdrawal, oral: initially 50 to 100 mg, repeated as needed up to 300 mg per day, then reduce to maintenance
Discontinue or reduce the dose only by gradual taper

Contraindications

Known hypersensitivity to chlordiazepoxide

Important warnings

Boxed warning: concomitant use with opioids may cause profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death
Boxed warning: risks of abuse, misuse and addiction, which can lead to overdose or death
Boxed warning: physical dependence; abrupt discontinuation or rapid dose reduction may precipitate life-threatening withdrawal reactions
With opioids, use the lowest effective doses and shortest durations; no driving or operating heavy machinery until effects are known
With protracted treatment, periodic blood counts and liver function tests are advisable

Side effects

Drowsiness, ataxia and confusion, particularly in the elderly and debilitated; syncope in a few instances
Infrequent: skin eruptions, edema, minor menstrual irregularities, nausea, constipation, extrapyramidal symptoms, libido changes
Occasionally: blood dyscrasias (including agranulocytosis), jaundice and hepatic dysfunction

Interactions

Opioids: profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma and death possible
Abuse and misuse commonly involve other medications, alcohol and/or illicit substances

Summary of the official product information, written with AI on 2026-10-29. Every number was checked automatically against the original text. Not reviewed by a physician – the full official text is authoritative.

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For patients

Patient information (US)

This product has no separate US patient information.

Authorisation and brand names by country

Medicines with exactly this active-substance composition, as listed in the national registers – alphabetical and without ranking. Whether a product is currently available is not shown here.

Germany

Librium TabsViatris Healthcare Gmbh · 1 register entry

Source: EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), as of 2026-10-29

Brand names in 12 more European countries

Czechia: Elenium
Denmark: Klopoxid Dak, Risolid
Greece: Oasil
Hungary: Elenium
Iceland: Risolid
Ireland: Librium
Italy: Librium
Latvia: Elenium
Lithuania: Elenium
Poland: Elenium
Slovakia: Elenium
Spain: Huberplex

EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-29

Medelix receives no money from pharmaceutical companies. Brand names are listed alphabetically and without ranking.

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Sources

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Chlordiazepoxide Hydrochloride (Mylan Institutional Inc.) – Prescribing Information, 2025-11-11. DailyMed (NLM), 2026-10-29. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=68c7d8a7-08b3-4a1a-acbd-09bbe67b8d4a
EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-29. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/post-authorisation/data-medicines-iso-idmp-standards-post-authorisation/public-data-article-57-database
Wikidata (CC0): ATC N05BA.

Editorial: Medelix editorial team · last updated 2026-10-29 · How these pages are made · Report an error

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), prescribing information, via DailyMed (NLM); public domain. Not advertising, not a treatment recommendation. For questions about your own treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist.