WARNINGMIXING OR WITHDRAWAL CAN BE DANGEROUS
Ordinary doses in combination with other depressants can fatally stop breathing. After prolonged dependency, stopping suddenly can also cause seizures or delirium; seek medical help.
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Prazepam
Prazepam is a depressant1 of the 1,4-benzodiazepine class2 used to treat anxiety disorders.3 It reduces anxiety and has sedative, anticonvulsant,4 and skeletal muscle relaxant effects.5 It was developed by Warner-Lambert in the 1960s. Like other benzodiazepines, prazepam can cause mental or physical dependence,2 particularly when taken for prolonged periods or at high doses.4
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.
Duration
Subjective Effects
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
Prazepam positively modulates GABA-A receptors through the benzodiazepine binding site, enhancing inhibitory GABA signaling in the brain. This mechanism supports its anxiolytic, sedative, anticonvulsant, and skeletal muscle relaxant activity. Prazepam also modulates the translocator protein.
Pharmacokinetics
Study data suggest that prazepam is a prodrug6 that undergoes hepatic metabolism2 and is a CYP3A4 substrate.7 Its principal active metabolite accounts for most of its therapeutic activity,8 and a separate hydroxylated metabolite undergoes further metabolism.2 Reported elimination half-life ranges for prazepam are 29-224 hours and 36-200 hours; its principal active metabolite has an elimination half-life of 36-200 hours.
Dangerous
Highest riskThese combinations are considered extremely harmful and should always be avoided. Reactions to these drugs taken in combination are highly unpredictable and have a potential to cause death.
Unsafe
AvoidThere is considerable risk of physical harm when taking these combinations, they should be avoided where possible.
Caution
Use cautionThese combinations are not usually physically harmful, but may produce undesirable effects, such as physical discomfort or overstimulation. Extreme use may cause physical health issues. Synergistic effects may be unpredictable. Care should be taken when choosing to use this combination.
Tolerance
Tolerance timelines are rules of thumb, not exact schedules, and vary widely between individuals and use patterns.
Harm Potential
Addiction & Dependence
Psychological
Physical
HighDependence is among the most common adverse effects of long-term prazepam use; dose reduction or cessation can cause tremor, dysphoria, psychomotor agitation, tachycardia and sweating. Withdrawal risk and severity increase with higher doses and longer use, and severe withdrawal can include hallucinations, psychosis and seizures. Abrupt or overly rapid discontinuation after long-term use can cause protracted withdrawal even at low doses.
Toxicity
Prazepam overdose can cause somnolence, confusion, agitation, ataxia, diminished reflexes and coma, with hypotonia in severe cases.
Animal studies found that prazepam exposure during pregnancy caused delayed growth and reproductive abnormalities.
Psychosis Risk
Severe prazepam withdrawal can cause hallucinations and psychosis. Withdrawal-related psychosis is generally unresponsive to antipsychotic medications.
Seizure Risk
Seizures can occur during severe prazepam withdrawal; withdrawal risk and severity increase with higher doses and longer use.
History & Culture
Warner-Lambert developed prazepam during the 1960s.11
Legality
International
Prazepam has approved and illicit regulatory groupings.
By Country
References
Source Pages
Citations
Further Reading
Article Status
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