Chlordiazepoxide metabolite accumulation in liver disease.

Abstract

Chlordiazepoxide 40mg daily was used to prevent delerium tremens in a 64-year-old female with alcoholic liver disease. After 20 days, the drug was stopped because of the onset of progressive drowsiness. The kinetics of chloridazepoxide were within the predicted range for patients with liver disease, but the elimination half-lives of desmethylchlordiazepoxide and demoxepam were greatly prolonged at 346 hours and 150 hours, respectively. It is suggested that metabolite accumulation may have contributed to the coma, which is an unusual reaction to chlordiazepoxide.

• Authors: K Barton, P W Auld, M G Scott, D P Nicholls
• Journal: Medical toxicology and adverse drug experience (Med Toxicol Adverse Drug Exp) 1989 Jan-Feb Vol. 4 Issue 1 Pg. 73-6 ISSN: 0113-5244 [Print] New Zealand
• PMID: 2710011 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Chlordiazepoxide

Topics

• Chlordiazepoxide (adverse effects, pharmacokinetics)
• Coma (chemically induced)
• Female
• Half-Life
• Humans
• Liver Diseases, Alcoholic (metabolism)
• Middle Aged
• Time Factors