Drug Comparison
For educational purposes only — a decision-support tool, not a substitute for clinical judgment.
Side-by-side rubric across 96 psychiatric medications. Every rating traces to a verbatim primary-source quote — click any cell to see it.
How to read this tool ▾
Rating scale
– Favorable / lower than class baseline
± Minimal / equivocal
+ Low / uncommon
++ Moderate / common
+++ High / very common
++++ Very high / class-outlier
Frequency vs severity
F = frequency, S = severity. Each gets its own pill colored on the same traffic-light scale: green → blue → yellow → orange → red. Click any cell for incidence percentages and NNH.
Evidence tier
A Network meta-analysis / RCT / FDA label
B Cohort / registry / pooled label data
C Expert review / textbook / case series
Sourcing
Click any cell to see the verbatim source quote and citation. Missing data shows n/a.
Data depth
++ Graded — frequency + severity, primary-source traces
+ FDA label — §6 frequency only (dashed border). Click for sub-types.
Blank — not yet checked (not “absent”)
–±++++++++++ABCF = frequency · S = severity · Dashed border = FDA label only · Click cell for details
1 drug selected — Chlordiazepoxide(click to collapse)
1/4 selected
Chlordiazepoxide
Librium · Librax
Benzodiazepine · C-IV
FDA-approved indications
- Emotional and somatic factors in gastrointestinal disorders
- Adjunctive therapy in peptic ulcer
- Irritable bowel syndrome
Off-label uses
- Irritable bowel syndrome (in combination products)
Half-life5 to 30 hours
Decision GuideWhen to pick each / when to consider an alternative
Chlordiazepoxide
Consider when
- Alcohol withdrawal — CIWA-based protocols commonly use chlordiazepoxide; long t½ provides smooth withdrawal coverage
- Acute anxiety with gradual onset desired — slower onset than alprazolam/diazepam reduces euphoria and abuse reinforcement
- Preoperative anxiety — FDA-approved for preoperative apprehension and anxiety
- IBS with anxiety component (Librax combination) — chlordiazepoxide/clidinium (Librax) FDA-approved for IBS adjunctive treatment
- +1 more
Consider an alternative when
- Elderly patient — long-acting with active metabolites; Beers Criteria avoid; accumulation risk over days-weeks
- Hepatic impairment — extensive oxidative metabolism; active metabolites accumulate; lorazepam/oxazepam preferred in liver disease
- IM absorption needed — erratic IM absorption (unlike lorazepam); IV or oral route preferred
- Precise dosing required — older formulation with less predictable pharmacokinetics than newer benzodiazepines
- +1 more
| Axis | Chlordiazepoxide benzo |
|---|---|
| Boxed Warnings | |
Abuse / addiction liability | |
Respiratory depression (opioid / CNS depressant co-use) | |
| CNS | |
Sedation / somnolence | |
Activation / insomnia | |
Cognitive dulling / anterograde amnesia | |
| GI | |
Nausea / GI (general) | |
| Hepatic | |
Liver enzymes / hepatotoxicity | |
| Discontinuation | |
Withdrawal / discontinuation | |
| Interactions | |
CYP interactions / DDI profile | |
| Safety | |
Overdose toxicity | |
Falls / elderly risk | |
| Pregnancy | |
Lactation / breastfeeding safety | |