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Diclazepam Facts

Depressant; Anxiolytic; Benzodiazepine; GABA-A receptor positive allosteric modulator

Description

Diclazepam (2-chlorodiazepam) is a synthetic depressant of the benzodiazepine class. It amplifies the brain's main inhibitory signaling system — GABA — producing broad suppression of neural activity.[1][2]

Subjective effects include sedation, anxiety relief, muscle relaxation, and thought deceleration. The experience is defined by gradual, enveloping calm — anxiety recedes first, creating a window of functional relief before heavier sedation sets in.

Diclazepam produces physical dependence with repeated use, and active metabolites accumulate in the body for days, extending sedation far beyond perceived sobriety.[3][4] All documented fatalities involve combinations with opioids or other depressants — the compound amplifies respiratory depression when combined, and this is the dominant risk mode.[5]

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Oral(mg)
Threshold< 0.5 mgLight0.5 – 1 mgCommon1 – 3 mgStrong3 – 4 mgHeavy4+ mg

Starts in 10 – 45 minLasts 8 – 12 hoursAfter-effects 12 – 48 hours

Body and dependence

Acute toxicity
Moderate
Chronic toxicity
Moderate
Physical dependence
High
Psychological dependence
High
Withdrawal
Life-threatening · fatal · medical supervision
Compulsive redosing
Moderate

Tolerance

Builds
Moderate
Fully resets after
10.5 days
Carries over to
benzodiazepines; alcohol; barbiturates; zolpidem; zopiclone; zaleplon

Effectslikely at a common dose

Perception
none likely · 6 possible, including Spatial disorientation, Vestibular distortion, Visual acuity suppression
Body
Sedation; Muscle relaxation; Physical fatigue; +5 possible, including Motor control impairment, Dizziness, Nystagmus (eye wobbles)
Thinking
Cognitive impairment; +15 possible, including Analysis suppression, Decision impairment, Information processing suppression
Feeling
Anxiety suppression; +2 possible
Self
none likely · 4 possible, including Communication suppression, Craving
Time
none likely · 2 possible, including Temporal disorientation

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Concurrent opioid use; Severe respiratory insufficiency; Known benzodiazepine hypersensitivity; Acute alcohol intoxication
Relative
Sleep apnea; Myasthenia gravis; History of substance use disorder; Hepatic impairment; Pregnancy

Combinations60 recorded

Lethal (1)
Opioids
Dangerous (21)
Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist; Antipsychotics; Atypical antipsychotics; Benzodiazepines; Buprenorphine, Kratom; Cannabis, THC; Clonidine, Guanfacine; Gabapentin, Pregabalin; GHB, Baclofen; GHB, GBL; Local anesthetics; Naltrexone; SNRIs; Stimulants; Synthetic cannabinoids; Ibogaine; Ketamine, DXM, PCP; MAOIs; NSAIDs; Poppers (Alkyl nitrites); Poppers, Nitrates
Caution (26)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/diclazepam
Not graded (12)
Not listed never means safe.

Seek help immediately if

  • Extreme drowsiness — can't stay awake or be roused
  • Confusion, slurred speech, severe loss of coordination
  • Slow, shallow, or irregular breathing
  • Unconsciousness / unresponsive; limp, floppy body
  • Blue lips or fingertips
  • Vomiting while sedated (choking / aspiration risk)
  • Cold, clammy skin; weak pulse

What to do

  1. Try to wake them — shout, firm sternal rub
  2. If unresponsive or breathing is impaired, call emergency services
  3. Place them in the recovery position — critical, they can choke on vomit
  4. Monitor breathing continuously; be ready to give rescue breaths / CPR
  5. Never leave them alone to "sleep it off"
  6. Do not give other drugs, stimulants, or more depressants

Most depressant overdoses resolve with airway protection, breathing support, and monitoring. The danger is respiratory depression and choking on vomit — sharply worse when combined with opioids or alcohol. GHB/GBL overdoses often involve sudden deep unconsciousness and may self-resolve, but airway protection is essential.

988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineFireside Project: 62-FIRESIDE

Version r1 · Not medical advice

References

  1. [1]
    ^Moosmann B, Auwärter V (2018) Designer Benzodiazepines: Another Class of New Psychoactive Substances. — Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology doi:10.1007/164_2018_154
  2. [2]
    ^Luethi D, Liechti ME (2020) Designer drugs: mechanism of action and adverse effects — Archives of Toxicology doi:10.1007/s00204-020-02693-7
  3. [3]
    ^Lee W, Lee JW, Kim S, Kim JM, Youn DH, Park SH, Kwon CH, Choi SO (2024) Discriminative stimulus and reinforcing effects of diclazepam in rodents. — Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior doi:10.1016/j.pbb.2023.173687
  4. [4]
    ^Moosmann B, Bisel P, Auwärter V (2014) Characterization of the designer benzodiazepine diclazepam and preliminary data on its metabolism and pharmacokinetics. — Drug Testing and Analysis doi:10.1002/dta.1628
  5. [5]
    ^Greenblatt HK, Greenblatt DJ (2019) Designer Benzodiazepines: A Review of Published Data and Public Health Significance — Clinical Pharmacology in Drug Development doi:10.1002/cpdd.667
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