Alcohol Detox using Clorazepate

What is Clorazepate?

Clorazepate is used to relieve symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal. It is also used for seizures and anxiety. Clorazepate, with a trade name of Tranxene, belongs to a class of medication called benzodiazepines. It is long acting tablet and can be ordered in varying dosages.

Why use Clorazepate?

Clorazepate should be considered for use in alcohol withdrawal for two reasons.

1. It has an FDA approved protocol for alcohol withdrawal. This protocol can be found in the PDR.
2. Physicians and clients should consider using Clorazepate because it provides a relatively smooth detox process. Clorazepate has a long half-life, which may be beneficial to prevent seizures and delirium tremens. And it provides relief without giving the client the uncomfortable ‘heavy leg syndrome’.  Some of the longer acting benzodiazepines can give the client a sense their legs are heavy.

Another reason to use Clorazepate is the feedback we get from the clients and the Executive Home Detox team. Both the clients and nurses remark how smooth and comfortable the detox is by using this medication.

How to use Clorazepate

The best way to use Clorazepate for an alcohol detox is to follow the protocol. The Nursing Staff at EHD know the protocol well. There is a loading dose, a maximum amount to be given on day one and a tapering schedule that is easy to follow. The EHD nurses can tailor the protocol to the individual client’s response. Clorazepate is usually used for five or six days and safely discontinued.

Alternatives to Clorazepate

At Executive Home Detox, we don’t limit our choice of a detox agent to Clorazepate. We can assist clients with an outpatient home based detox using other medications. These may include:

• Lorazepam (Ativan)
• Diazepam (Valium)
• Chloridazepoxide (Librium)
• Oxazepam (Serax)
• and sometimes; Phenobarbital.