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Benzodiazepine Dose Conversion

Converts between benzodiazepines (and Z-drugs) using the Ashton manual equivalents to diazepam 10 mg, e.g. alprazolam 0.5, clonazepam 0.5, lorazepam 1, chlordiazepoxide 25, oxazepam 20, temazepam 20 mg. Equivalences are approximate and vary widely between sources and patients.

Current drug: Alprazolam (0.5 mg ≈ diazepam 10 mg); Chlordiazepoxide (25 mg ≈ diazepam 10 mg); Clobazam (20 mg ≈ diazepam 10 mg); Clonazepam (0.5 mg ≈ diazepam 10 mg); Clorazepate (15 mg ≈ diazepam 10 mg); Diazepam (10 mg ≈ diazepam 10 mg); Lorazepam (1 mg ≈ diazepam 10 mg); Nitrazepam (10 mg ≈ diazepam 10 mg); Oxazepam (20 mg ≈ diazepam 10 mg); Temazepam (20 mg ≈ diazepam 10 mg); Triazolam (0.5 mg ≈ diazepam 10 mg); Zolpidem (20 mg ≈ diazepam 10 mg); Zopiclone (15 mg ≈ diazepam 10 mg); Eszopiclone (3 mg ≈ diazepam 10 mg); Zaleplon (20 mg ≈ diazepam 10 mg)
Current dose (mg; use the total daily dose)
Target drug: Alprazolam (0.5 mg ≈ diazepam 10 mg); Chlordiazepoxide (25 mg ≈ diazepam 10 mg); Clobazam (20 mg ≈ diazepam 10 mg); Clonazepam (0.5 mg ≈ diazepam 10 mg); Clorazepate (15 mg ≈ diazepam 10 mg); Diazepam (10 mg ≈ diazepam 10 mg); Lorazepam (1 mg ≈ diazepam 10 mg); Nitrazepam (10 mg ≈ diazepam 10 mg); Oxazepam (20 mg ≈ diazepam 10 mg); Temazepam (20 mg ≈ diazepam 10 mg); Triazolam (0.5 mg ≈ diazepam 10 mg); Zolpidem (20 mg ≈ diazepam 10 mg); Zopiclone (15 mg ≈ diazepam 10 mg); Eszopiclone (3 mg ≈ diazepam 10 mg); Zaleplon (20 mg ≈ diazepam 10 mg)

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Interpretation

Result	Meaning
Diazepam 10 mg ≈	Alprazolam 0.5 · clonazepam 0.5 · lorazepam 1 · triazolam 0.5 · clorazepate 15 · nitrazepam 10 · chlordiazepoxide 25 · clobazam 20 · oxazepam 20 · temazepam 20 · zolpidem 20 · zopiclone 15 · zaleplon 20 · eszopiclone 3 mg

Formula

Target dose = current dose × (target equivalent ÷ current equivalent), where each equivalent is the oral dose ≈ diazepam 10 mg (Ashton manual, Table 1).

Clinical pearls

Published equivalence tables differ by 2-fold or more (e.g. lorazepam 1–2 mg, alprazolam 0.5–1 mg per diazepam 10 mg); Ashton values are clinically derived and on the conservative side for high-potency drugs.
Half-lives differ greatly: switching a short-acting drug (alprazolam, lorazepam) to diazepam or clonazepam smooths tapers, but diazepam accumulates in older adults and liver disease.
Not for acute IV dosing (e.g. status epilepticus or alcohol withdrawal protocols).

Examples

convert lorazepam 2 mg to diazepam alprazolam 1 mg daily to clonazepam equivalent benzo conversion: temazepam 30 mg to lorazepam

FAQ

How much diazepam equals 1 mg of lorazepam?

About 10 mg of diazepam by the Ashton equivalents (other tables give 5 mg).

What is the clonazepam equivalent of alprazolam?

Roughly 1:1 (both ≈ 0.5 mg per diazepam 10 mg in the Ashton table).

Evidence

Pharmacology & Dosing · Reviewed 2026-10-14 · Methodology