Table 1.

Characteristics of Benzodiazepines Used for AWS

	Available Route of Dose	Relative Equivalent Potency	Onset of Action (After Oral Administration)	Peak Blood Levels (Hours)	Half-Life (Hours)	Duration of Action	Metabolism
Chlordiazepoxide	PO	10	Intermediate	0.5–2	24–48	Long	Hepatic
Clorazepate	PO, IM	7.5	Rapid	0.5–2	48 (active metabolite)	Short	Hepatic
Diazepam	PO, IM, IV, PR	5	Rapid	Oral: 0.25–2.5 IM: 1 IV: 0.01	30–60	Long	Hepatic
Lorazepam	PO, IM, IV	1	Intermediate	Oral: 2 IM: ≤3	12–18	Short to medium	Hepatic
Midazolam	PO, IM, IV	2	Rapid	Oral: 0.2–2.5 IM: 0.5–1	2–7	Short	Hepatic, gut

Notes: Data from Botswick J.⁸⁷

Abbreviations: AWS, alcohol withdrawal syndrome; PO, per os; IM, intramuscularly; IV, intravenously; PR, per rectum.