Benzodiazepine Conversion Calculator

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Benzodiazepine Conversion Calculator

Standardizes equivalent dosing between different benzodiazepines

All tools /

Benzodiazepine Conversion Calculator

Standardizes equivalent dosing between different benzodiazepines

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Instructions

The benzodiazepine conversion calculator helps estimate equivalent doses when switching between different benzodiazepines. Users input the current drug and dose, then select the target benzodiazepine. The tool applies standard equivalence factors to suggest the converted dose.

Overview

When to use

Why use

Evidences

Interpretation

Benzodiazepine	Equivalent Dose ≈ Diazepam 10 mg	Half-life (hours)
Diazepam	10 mg	20–100 (active metabolites)
Lorazepam	1 mg	10–20
Alprazolam	0.5 mg	12–15
Clonazepam	0.25 mg	18–50
Chlordiazepoxide	25 mg	5–30 (active metabolites)
Temazepam	20 mg	10–20
Oxazepam	20 mg	5–15
Flurazepam	15 mg	40–100 (active metabolites)

Equivalence frameworks (ASAM 2025 dose equivalents table): Provides approximate equipotent doses standardized to diazepam 10mg, summarizing across VA/DoD 2021 and the Ashton Manual. Examples: alprazolam 0.5mg ≈ diazepam 10mg; lorazepam 2mg ≈ diazepam 10mg; clonazepam 0.5–1mg ≈ diazepam 10mg; chlordiazepoxide 25mg ≈ diazepam 10mg; oxazepam 15–20mg ≈ diazepam 10mg; temazepam 20mg ≈ diazepam 10mg; triazolam 0.25mg ≈ diazepam 5–10mg; flurazepam 15–30mg ≈ diazepam 10mg.

https://downloads.asam.org/sitefinity-production-blobs/docs/default-source/guidelines/benzodiazepine-tapering-2025/benzodiazepine-dose-equivalents.pdf?sfvrsn=bf0924f8_1

Ashton Manual (expert consensus, widely used in taper protocols): Equivalency examples align with ASAM: alprazolam 0.5mg ≈ diazepam 10mg; clonazepam 0.5mg ≈ diazepam 10mg; lorazepam 1mg ≈ diazepam 10mg (Ashton presents 1–2mg lorazepam ≈ 10mg diazepam range depending on source), with practical cross-titration schedules to diazepam for tapering.

https://www.benzoinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Ashton-Manual.pdf

State guideline example (Oregon Health Authority, 2022): Presents a tabulated equivalency and duration list and explicit example: lorazepam 4mg/day ≈ diazepam 40mg/day, and recommends stepwise transition to diazepam before tapering for long-term users.

https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HPA/DSI-Pharmacy/MHCAGDocs/Tapering-Benzodiazepines.pdf

Population data algorithm (2018 RI PDMP analysis): A diazepam milligram equivalency algorithm for population-level assessment used equivalences such as alprazolam 0.5mg, clonazepam 0.5mg, lorazepam 1mg, temazepam 10mg, oxazepam 15mg as ≈ diazepam 5–10mg, demonstrating variability and the need for caution when applying conversions clinically.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10373022/

Overview

When to use

Why use

Evidences

Benzodiazepines are widely prescribed for conditions such as anxiety disorders, insomnia, seizure disorders, muscle spasms, and alcohol withdrawal. They act by enhancing the effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the brain’s main inhibitory neurotransmitter, producing sedative, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, and muscle relaxant effects.

Because different benzodiazepines vary in potency, half-life, onset, and duration of action, direct milligram-to-milligram substitution is not possible. For example, alprazolam is much more potent than diazepam on a per milligram basis, while diazepam has a much longer half-life and active metabolites.

A benzodiazepine conversion calculator standardizes dose equivalence based on published conversion tables. It helps clinicians taper patients safely, switch to longer-acting agents for withdrawal management, or substitute due to drug availability. Incorrect conversion can result in underdosing (risking withdrawal symptoms, seizures, or anxiety relapse) or overdosing (leading to sedation, respiratory depression, or falls).

Overview

When to use

Why use

Evidences

Interpretation

Benzodiazepine	Equivalent Dose ≈ Diazepam 10 mg	Half-life (hours)
Diazepam	10 mg	20–100 (active metabolites)
Lorazepam	1 mg	10–20
Alprazolam	0.5 mg	12–15
Clonazepam	0.25 mg	18–50
Chlordiazepoxide	25 mg	5–30 (active metabolites)
Temazepam	20 mg	10–20
Oxazepam	20 mg	5–15
Flurazepam	15 mg	40–100 (active metabolites)