Question 1

How are benzodiazepine equivalences calculated?

Accepted Answer

Equivalence ratios are derived from published clinical pharmacology data comparing the relative potency of each benzodiazepine to a reference standard — typically diazepam. The calculator uses consensus values from Ashton (2002), the Maudsley Prescribing Guidelines, and peer-reviewed conversion tables to express every drug as a diazepam-equivalent dose.

Question 2

Are benzodiazepine equivalence ratios evidence-based?

Accepted Answer

Published equivalence ratios are approximations based on clinical pharmacology studies, not randomised trials. Individual patient response varies with factors like hepatic metabolism, duration of use, and receptor subtype affinity — so any calculated dose should be used as a clinical starting point, not a fixed prescription.

Question 3

Why use diazepam as the reference drug for tapering?

Accepted Answer

Diazepam has a long half-life (20–100 h including active metabolites), which produces more stable plasma levels and fewer interdose withdrawal symptoms. It is also available in small tablet sizes (2 mg), making gradual dose reductions easier to implement than with short-acting agents.

Bensodiazepin-ekvivalenskalkylator

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