Diclazepam
Diclazepam (chlorodiazepam) is a designer benzodiazepine and a chlorine analogue of diazepam. It is long-acting, high-potency, and sold as a research chemical with no clinical development. Effects mirror classic benzodiazepines: anxiolysis, sedation, muscle relaxation and amnesia, with a correspondingly high potential for dependence and dangerous additive respiratory depression when combined with opioids or alcohol.
01 Overview
Diclazepam emerged on grey-market research-chemical vendors around 2013 as a legal substitute for scheduled benzodiazepines. It has never undergone human clinical trials; what is known comes from analytical chemistry, a small number of self-experiment reports, and forensic case reports involving intoxication and driving impairment.
Its long half-life and active metabolites (including delorazepam, lorazepam and lormetazepam) mean effects and impairment can persist far longer than users expect, and inter-dose accumulation is common. Because milligram doses are active, accurate dosing without laboratory equipment is difficult and a frequent cause of unintentional overdose when combined with other CNS depressants.
02 Mechanism
Positive allosteric modulator of the GABA-A receptor at the benzodiazepine site, increasing chloride conductance and enhancing inhibitory neurotransmission. Several metabolites are themselves active benzodiazepines, prolonging the effect.
03 Dosing
| Tier | Dose | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Threshold | 0.5–1 mg | Oral | Onset is slow; redosing before peak is a common cause of overdose. |
| Common | 1–2 mg | Oral | Roughly ten times the potency of diazepam by weight. |
| Strong | 2–3 mg | Oral | Heavy sedation and marked next-day impairment; accumulation with repeat dosing. |
04 Effects
| Effect | Magnitude | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AnxiolysisReduction in anxiety and psychological tension, as with other benzodiazepines. | marked | Anecdotal | |
| Sedation and muscle relaxationDrowsiness, reduced muscle tone and impaired coordination. | dose-dependent | Anecdotal | |
| Anterograde amnesiaImpaired formation of new memories during intoxication. | common at higher doses | Anecdotal |
05 Side effects
| Effect | Severity | Frequency | Evidence | Countermeasures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical dependence and withdrawalRegular use produces tolerance and dependence; abrupt cessation can cause rebound anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. | Severe | Common with regular use | Observational | |
| Additive respiratory depressionCombining with opioids or alcohol can suppress breathing to a fatal degree. | Life-threatening | Uncommon but potentially fatal | Observational | |
| Prolonged impairmentLong half-life and active metabolites cause next-day sedation, impaired driving and accumulation. | Moderate | Common | Observational |