Slow Absorption of Intramuscular Chlordiazepoxide

Abstract

CHLORDIAZEPOXIDE hydrochloride is commonly administered by intramuscular injection when rapid sedation is needed.^{1 2 3} We have observed that large doses of intramuscular chlordiazepoxide appear at times to be slowly effective or ineffective. The present study compared the rate and completeness of absorption of intramuscular and oral chlordiazepoxide.MethodsEight healthy volunteers (five men and three women), 24 to 38 years of age, participated in a crossover study after giving informed consent. None had a history of cardiac, renal, or hepatic disease, or of habitual sedative-hypnotic drug use. Oral chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride (Librium) was administered as two 25-mg capsules with 100 ml of . . .