First benzodiazepine introduced for clinical use. Produces smooth, long-lasting effect. Anticonvulsant action poor.
Anxiety, tension, fear, preanaesthetic medication, insomnia, behavioural disorders, emotional disturbances.
Jaundice, myasthenia gravis, hypersensitivity to benzodiazepine, acute glaucoma.
Hepatic and renal impairment, alcoholics.
Drowsiness, dizziness, impaired liver functions, drug dependence.
Aminophyllines - Decreased sedative effect. Cimetidine, oral contraceptives; fluoxetine, INH, metoprolol, propranolol, valproic acid, prolonged effect due to delayed metabolism. Imipramine, desipramine increased activity of these drugs. Magnesium trisilicate: Impaired absorption of chlordiazepoxide. Rifampicin decreased effect of chlordiazepoxide.
10-30 mg daily. Children: 10 mg daily. Elderly: 10 mg daily.
