Oxazepam and
lorazepam are 3-hydroxy
benzodiazepine derivatives used as
sedatives and
anxiolytics. The major metabolic pathway for both compounds involves conjugation to
glucuronic acid at the 3-position, followed by urinary excretion of the inactive
glucuronide metabolite.
Oxazepam has been administered to humans by the oral route only. Usual ranges for kinetic parameters are: elimination half-life, 5 to 15 hours; volume of distribution, 0.6 to 2.0 L/kg; clearance, 0.9 to 2.0 ml/min/kg. Age and
liver disease have a minimal influence on
oxazepam kinetics, but renal disease is associated with a prolonged half-life and increased volume of distribution. Typical kinetic values for
lorazepam are: elimination half-life, 8 to 25 hours; volume of distribution, 1.0 to 1.3 L/kg; clearance, 0.7 to 1.2 ml/min/kg.
Lorazepam clearance is somewhat reduced in old age, but
liver disease has a minimal effect on clearance. Oral and intramuscular
lorazepam are rapidly absorbed, with systemic availability averaging 90% or more. Both
oxazepam and
lorazepam are extensively bound to
plasma protein, but the free fraction for
lorazepam (8 to 12%) is greater than that for
oxazepam (2 to 4%).