BIPM-ratified constants · v1.0

Converter

Benzodiazepine, equivalency conversion calculator.

Calculate equivalent benzodiazepine doses using the diazepam reference standard. Supports alprazolam, lorazepam, clonazepam, and more. For clinical reference only.

From

diazepam

10 diazepam =2Equivalent Dose

Equivalents

Precision: 6 dp · Notation: Decimal · 19 units

Xanax

Alprazolamalprazolam0.5

Lectopam

Bromazepambromazepam5.5

Librium

Chlordiazepoxidechlordiazepoxide25

Onfi

Clobazamclobazam20

Klonopin

Clonazepamclonazepam0.5

Tranxene

Clorazepateclorazepate15

Valium

Diazepamdiazepam10

ProSom

Estazolamestazolam2

Dalmane

Flurazepamflurazepam30

Ativan

Lorazepamlorazepam2

Versed

Midazolammidazolam7.5

Mogadon

Nitrazepamnitrazepam10

Serax

Oxazepamoxazepam30

Doral

Quazepamquazepam20

Restoril

Temazepamtemazepam30

Halcion

Triazolamtriazolam0.5

- Z-drug

Zaleplon (Sonata)zaleplon20

Zolpidem (Ambien)zolpidem20

Zopiclone (Lunesta/Imovane)zopiclone15

Common pairings

1 alprazolamequals11 bromazepam

1 alprazolamequals50 chlordiazepoxide

1 alprazolamequals40 clobazam

1 bromazepamequals0.091 alprazolam

1 bromazepamequals4.545 chlordiazepoxide

1 bromazepamequals3.636 clobazam

1 chlordiazepoxideequals0.02 alprazolam

1 chlordiazepoxideequals0.22 bromazepam

The conversion

How the value
is computed.

What Is Benzodiazepine Equivalency?

Benzodiazepine equivalency is a pharmacological framework that expresses the relative potency of different benzodiazepines against a standard reference dose of diazepam (10 mg). Because all benzodiazepines bind to GABA-A receptors but with varying affinity and efficacy, clinicians use equivalency tables to estimate comparable doses when transitioning a patient from one agent to another, managing withdrawal, or titrating therapy under medical supervision. The benzodiazepine conversion converter on this page automates that calculation using published equivalency factors. This standardized approach provides a consistent methodological foundation for dose estimation across different clinical settings and patient populations.

The Benzodiazepine Conversion Formula

The converter applies the following ratio-based formula to calculate an equivalent target dose:

D(target) = [Dose(source) × Equiv(diazepam, source)] ÷ Equiv(diazepam, target)

Formula Variables Explained

D(target): The calculated dose in milligrams of the destination benzodiazepine.
Dose(source): The current prescribed dose in milligrams of the source benzodiazepam being converted from.
Equiv(diazepam, source): The diazepam equivalency factor of the source drug — milligrams of diazepam pharmacologically equivalent to 1 mg of the source drug.
Equiv(diazepam, target): The diazepam equivalency factor of the target drug — milligrams of diazepam pharmacologically equivalent to 1 mg of the target drug.

Step-by-Step Worked Examples

Example 1: Lorazepam to Diazepam

A patient takes 2 mg lorazepam daily. Per the Ashton Manual Benzodiazepine Equivalency Table, 1 mg lorazepam equals 10 mg diazepam, giving lorazepam an equivalency factor of 10. Diazepam carries a reference factor of 1.

D(target) = (2 × 10) ÷ 1 = 20 mg diazepam

Example 2: Alprazolam to Clonazepam

A patient takes 1 mg alprazolam daily. Both alprazolam and clonazepam carry an equivalency factor of 20, because 0.5 mg of either drug equals 10 mg diazepam.

D(target) = (1 × 20) ÷ 20 = 1 mg clonazepam

Example 3: Chlordiazepoxide to Lorazepam

A patient takes 50 mg chlordiazepoxide daily. Chlordiazepoxide carries an equivalency factor of 0.4, while lorazepam carries a factor of 10.

D(target) = (50 × 0.4) ÷ 10 = 2 mg lorazepam

Common Diazepam Equivalency Reference Values

The table below lists approximate doses equivalent to 10 mg diazepam, derived from the Ashton Manual and the Arizona Pain and Addiction Curriculum. Minor discrepancies between published sources exist; always defer to institutional formulary guidelines for patient-specific decisions.

Alprazolam (Xanax): 0.5 mg ≈ 10 mg diazepam (equivalency factor: 20)
Chlordiazepoxide (Librium): 25 mg ≈ 10 mg diazepam (equivalency factor: 0.4)
Clonazepam (Klonopin): 0.5 mg ≈ 10 mg diazepam (equivalency factor: 20)
Clorazepate (Tranxene): 15 mg ≈ 10 mg diazepam (equivalency factor: 0.67)
Lorazepam (Ativan): 1 mg ≈ 10 mg diazepam (equivalency factor: 10)
Oxazepam (Serax): 20 mg ≈ 10 mg diazepam (equivalency factor: 0.5)
Temazepam (Restoril): 20 mg ≈ 10 mg diazepam (equivalency factor: 0.5)
Triazolam (Halcion): 0.25 mg ≈ 10 mg diazepam (equivalency factor: 40)

Clinical Limitations and Safety Considerations

Benzodiazepine equivalency tables produce estimates, not exact pharmacokinetic equivalents. The following factors substantially alter real-world clinical outcomes:

Individual pharmacokinetics: Age, hepatic function, CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 genetic variants, and duration of prior use all alter drug metabolism and apparent potency.
Cross-tolerance variability: Patients with high-dose or long-term benzodiazepine use exhibit altered receptor sensitivity, as documented in research on polysubstance use patterns among high-dose benzodiazepine users.
Inter-source discrepancies: The Ashton Manual, clinical trial statistical analysis plans, and state medical guidelines may cite differing ratios for the same drug pair.
Half-life differences: Short-acting agents such as triazolam (half-life 2-5 hours) and long-acting agents such as diazepam (half-life 20-100 hours) behave differently over a dosing interval, affecting perceived equivalency during conversion.

Safety Warning: This benzodiazepine conversion converter is an educational reference tool only. All benzodiazepine dose adjustments must be reviewed and supervised by a licensed healthcare provider. Unguided benzodiazepine switching can precipitate life-threatening withdrawal seizures and severe physiological complications.

Reference

Frequently asked questions

What is a benzodiazepine equivalency conversion calculator?

A benzodiazepine equivalency conversion calculator estimates the pharmacologically equivalent dose of one benzodiazepine relative to another, using diazepam (10 mg) as a universal reference standard. The tool multiplies the source dose by the source drug diazepam equivalency factor, then divides by the target drug factor to produce an approximate equivalent dose. Results require clinical review before any dose change is implemented, as individual pharmacokinetics vary substantially.

What diazepam equivalency values does the benzodiazepine converter use?

The converter references equivalency values consistent with the Ashton Manual and the Arizona Pain and Addiction Curriculum. Established values include: 0.5 mg alprazolam equals approximately 10 mg diazepam; 1 mg lorazepam equals 10 mg diazepam; 0.5 mg clonazepam equals 10 mg diazepam; and 25 mg chlordiazepoxide equals 10 mg diazepam. These factors vary slightly between authoritative sources, so institutional formulary guidelines should be consulted for patient-specific conversions.

Which benzodiazepines are the most potent by diazepam equivalency?

By diazepam equivalency, triazolam (Halcion) is among the most potent benzodiazepines — approximately 0.25 mg equals 10 mg diazepam, yielding a potency factor of roughly 40 relative to diazepam. Alprazolam (Xanax) and clonazepam (Klonopin) are also highly potent, with 0.5 mg of either approximately equal to 10 mg diazepam, representing a 20-fold potency advantage over diazepam milligram-for-milligram. Chlordiazepoxide is the least potent common agent at 25 mg per 10 mg diazepam equivalent.

Can this benzodiazepine conversion calculator be used to plan a taper schedule?

The benzodiazepine conversion calculator can support taper planning by establishing a diazepam-equivalent baseline dose. Many clinicians first convert patients to longer-acting diazepam, then taper by 5-10% every 1-2 weeks, as detailed in established withdrawal protocols including the Ashton Manual. However, equivalency estimates are starting points only — the taper rate and schedule must be individualized by a prescribing physician based on clinical response, tolerance level, and any comorbid conditions present.

Why do different sources list different benzodiazepine equivalency values?

Differences arise because benzodiazepine equivalency values are determined empirically through clinical observation and population studies rather than a single standardized controlled trial. Variables including receptor binding affinity, oral bioavailability, active metabolite profiles, and the study population examined all influence published ratios. The Ashton Manual, state pain management guidelines, and clinical trial statistical analysis plans may cite non-identical values for the same drug pair. Conservative estimates are recommended, particularly for high-potency agents such as triazolam and alprazolam.

Is it safe to switch benzodiazepines using online conversion tables alone?

No. Online benzodiazepine conversion calculators provide population-level pharmacological estimates that may not reflect individual patient response. Factors such as tolerance level, hepatic metabolism rate, co-prescribed medications, and duration of prior use can substantially alter effective equivalency in a specific patient. Research on high-dose benzodiazepine users has documented that standard equivalency ratios often fail to apply when significant cross-tolerance is present. Any benzodiazepine switch must be supervised by a qualified, licensed healthcare provider.