Diclazepam (also known as “roxies”), or chlorodiazepam (1)(2), is a tranquilizer that is used to relieve anxiety and to relieve the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Diclazepam displays distinct sedative properties that make it highly effective for the relief of anxiety, including symptoms such as restlessness, insomnia, inability to focus or concentrate, irritability, muscle tension, nausea, and vomiting. Diclazepam can be found in most over-the-counter cold and flu remedies (3).
Other Benzodiazepines
There are several benzodiazepines (and some non-benzodiazepines) that display the same sedative effect as do diclazepam. Delorazapam, lorazapam, and rolozapam can be found in urine samples from patients for up to 10 days following only 1 gram of diclazepam. Because benzodiazepines are slow acting, they take a while to become effective; however, because benzodiazepines are not very selective of which nerve receptors they affect, amnesia (including cognitive effects amnesia) does occur.
The first phase of clinical studies performed with diclazepam was conducted to compare the immediate, rapid, and long-term (over weeks) effects on memory, mood, alertness, irritability, and behavior. Comparisons were made between diclazepam and alcohol, cocaine, heroin, and hydrocodone. Results showed that diclazepam was about three times as effective as these other drugs at reducing both anxiety and the “cooling” effect experienced by many opiate addicts. Because of the comparison, diclazepam was then classified into a “classically sedative” category. This classification also included tranquilizers like valium and Diazepam. This new order of substances is currently under review.
Another commonly used benzodiazepine that is similar to Diclazepam but less potent is Alprazolam. It is a less powerful benzodiazepine that has comparable side effects as Diclazepam. Alprazolam also causes sedation, which can be helpful for some people. However, its use is limited by the fact that it has a four-fold greater potential for addiction than does Diclazepam. The recommended dose of Alprazolam is not specifically known, although it is believed to be between three and five milligrams (5).
Research chemical, Xanax, is another of the many benzodiazepines that can be given to people with insomnia problems. Like Diclazepam and Alprazolam, Xanax also has a four-fold greater potential for addiction than do the other benzodiazepines. Like Alprazolam and Diclazepam it can be used only upon request, and doses of Xanax should be carefully monitored. In research studies, when administered in the same doses as previously used by clinical psychologists, patients who had been taking Xanax reported fewer signs of mental status deterioration or memory loss following their treatment than had they been taking the prescription drug. This evidence indicates that even when administered at much higher doses, the effectiveness of Xanax is not influenced by its strength relative to other benzodiazepines (6).
Some Side Effects
Because of the very large number of benzodiazepines (and related compounds), it’s not surprising that there are a wide variety of possible side effects. Some of the more common ones include amnesia, confusion, dizziness, insomnia, flu-like symptoms, nausea, and respiratory depression. Some users may not experience these symptoms, and some people may experience them very strongly, resulting in death. Long-term recreational users of diclazepam have also reported memory loss, paranoia, agitation, tremors, hypertension, chest pain, seizures, tardive dyskinesia, motor slow-down, hostility, libido, or sexual dysfunctions, insomnia, heart palpitations, and respiratory depression (4).
Dosing of Diclazepam
Dosage for Diclazepam should be carefully watched since high doses can be deadly. Usually, the recommended maximum daily dose for patients using diclazepam is five to seven times greater than the maximum daily doses recommended for patients taking other benzodiazepines, including those with a benzodiazepine type history. This amount of diclazepam should be divided into two or three doses, with the first one just before you intend to retire for the night. You may wish to consider going into a medical facility with someone who can help monitor your progress.
Although the above overview highlights the differences between Diclazepam and other typical benzodiazepine drugs, there are some similarities between other designer benzodiazepines. Like most other designer benzodiazepines, Diclazepam produces a rapid onset of relaxation of the muscles in the body and respiratory system; however, the effect on memory and the central nervous system seems to be significantly less than those produced by other benzodiazepines. Some research shows that Diclazepam may have less severe side effects than many other types of designer benzodiazepines. If you take any type of prescription drug, you should always consult with your physician regarding possible interactions and possible drug side effects.
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