What Are The Side Effects Of Taking Librium Or Lorazepam?

Posted on Mon, 27 Oct 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 27 Oct 2014 Answered on

Thu, 20 Nov 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Is there less side effects taking Librium vs. Lorazepam? I am very sensitive to medications but need an anxiety medicine. I was told by my doctor to take the lorazepam that I have in my house, take .5 mg or 1/2 the amount. I think that I read that Librium is safer to take, is that true? I know they are in the same family, but will they have different side effects? Will the smaller dosage make me more tired than a greater amount?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Chintan Solanki (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
yes they are different,lorazepam is safer

Detailed Answer:
Hello ,
Thanks for writing to us.

Lorazepan and Librium(chlordizepoxide) both are benzodiazepines but with different profile.

Librium's half life is more than lorazepam so it is long acting than lorazepam.

Librium is metabolized by liver while lorazepam metabolisam is bypassed from liver.So with lorazepam less side effects when person has some liver dysfunction.

Clinically we use librium more in treatment of alcohol withdrawal as well as for sleep disturbance.While lorazepam used as anti anxiety in low dose and for sleep in high dose.

Lorazepam has low dependence potential and least withdrawal symptoms than those of librium.

So overall lorazepam is more safe.

0.5 or half of that is very much low dose of lorazepam and you will not have any side effects. So your doctor is right that you should take lorazepam.

If I were your treating doctor I would also go with lorazepam to treat your anxiety rather than librium though you have read about librium.

Hope I have answered your query, If any thing is still there late me know... I will be glad to answer.

Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T