Benzodiazepine Conversion Calculator

Find Equivalent Benzodiazepine Doses Instantly

Convert between different benzodiazepine medications using up-to-date equivalency data. Enter your current medication and dose to see the equivalent dose in another benzodiazepine. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication changes.

Benzodiazepine Conversion Examples

See how to convert between common benzodiazepines:

Alprazolam (Xanax) to Diazepam (Valium)

Conversion

Convert 1 mg Alprazolam to its Diazepam equivalent.

Source Drug: Alprazolam

Source Dose (mg): 1

Target Drug: Diazepam

Source Half-life (h): 12

Target Half-life (h): 48

Clonazepam (Klonopin) to Lorazepam (Ativan)

Conversion

Convert 2 mg Clonazepam to Lorazepam equivalent.

Source Drug: Clonazepam

Source Dose (mg): 2

Target Drug: Lorazepam

Source Half-life (h): 30

Target Half-life (h): 14

Diazepam (Valium) to Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)

Conversion

Convert 10 mg Diazepam to Chlordiazepoxide equivalent.

Source Drug: Diazepam

Source Dose (mg): 10

Target Drug: Chlordiazepoxide

Source Half-life (h): 48

Target Half-life (h): 100

Lorazepam (Ativan) to Alprazolam (Xanax)

Conversion

Convert 2 mg Lorazepam to Alprazolam equivalent.

Source Drug: Lorazepam

Source Dose (mg): 2

Target Drug: Alprazolam

Source Half-life (h): 14

Target Half-life (h): 12

Other Titles
Understanding Benzodiazepine Conversion: A Comprehensive Guide
Learn how to safely and accurately convert between benzodiazepine medications.

What is Benzodiazepine Conversion?

  • Definition and Purpose
  • Why Conversion is Needed
  • Risks of Incorrect Conversion
Benzodiazepine conversion is the process of determining the equivalent dose of one benzodiazepine medication to another. This is essential for safe medication switching, tapering, and clinical management.
Why Accurate Conversion Matters
Incorrect conversion can lead to withdrawal, overdose, or loss of therapeutic effect. Always use evidence-based equivalency tables and consult a healthcare professional.

Common Conversion Scenarios

  • Switching from Alprazolam to Diazepam for long-term management.
  • Tapering high-dose Clonazepam using Diazepam as a substitute.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Calculator

  • Selecting Source and Target Drugs
  • Entering the Correct Dose
  • Interpreting Results
Begin by selecting your current (source) benzodiazepine and the drug you wish to convert to (target). Enter the daily dose of your current medication. The calculator will display the equivalent dose in the target drug, along with half-life and potency information.
Tips for Accurate Input
Ensure you select different drugs for source and target. Double-check the dose and consult your doctor before making any changes.

Step-by-Step Examples

  • Entering 1 mg Alprazolam as source and Diazepam as target.
  • Entering 10 mg Diazepam as source and Chlordiazepoxide as target.

Real-World Applications of Benzodiazepine Conversion

  • Clinical Practice
  • Tapering and Withdrawal
  • Patient Education
Benzodiazepine conversion is widely used in psychiatry, neurology, and addiction medicine. It helps clinicians safely switch medications, design tapering schedules, and educate patients about their treatment.
Tapering Strategies
Gradual dose reduction using equivalent doses can minimize withdrawal symptoms and improve patient outcomes.

Clinical Use Cases

  • Designing a tapering plan from Clonazepam to Diazepam.
  • Educating patients about equivalent doses during medication changes.

Common Misconceptions and Correct Methods

  • Not All Benzodiazepines Are Equal
  • Importance of Half-life and Potency
  • Consulting Reliable Sources
A common misconception is that all benzodiazepines are interchangeable at the same dose. In reality, each drug has unique potency and half-life characteristics.
Why Potency and Half-life Matter
Always use up-to-date equivalency tables and consider both potency and half-life when converting doses.

Misconceptions in Practice

  • Assuming 1 mg Lorazepam equals 1 mg Diazepam (it does not).
  • Ignoring half-life differences when switching drugs.

Mathematical Derivation and Examples

  • Equivalency Ratios
  • Conversion Formula
  • Worked Examples
The calculator uses published equivalency ratios to determine the equivalent dose. The formula is: Equivalent Dose = (Source Dose × Source Ratio) / Target Ratio.
Worked Example
If 1 mg Alprazolam = 10 mg Diazepam, and you want to convert 2 mg Alprazolam to Diazepam: (2 × 10) / 10 = 2 mg Diazepam equivalent.

Mathematical Examples

  • Converting 2 mg Alprazolam to Diazepam using the formula.
  • Converting 10 mg Diazepam to Chlordiazepoxide.