Halazepam
Pronunciation:hal-AZ-eh-pam
Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number:23092-17-3
Formal Names:Paxipam
Type:Depressant (benzodiazepine class).Seepage 21
Federal Schedule Listing:Schedule IV (DEA no. 2762)
USA Availability:Prescription
Pregnancy Category:D
Uses.Halazepam’s main medical usage is for reducing anxiety. Because the
drug promotes drowsiness, it is sometimes prescribed to be taken at bedtime,
aiding both sleep and calmness. One experiment found the compound to be
more effective thanclorazepatedipotassium in helping anxiety. Another study
found that halazepam can diminish anxiety significantly on the very first day
of administration. Halazepam is also used to treat symptoms ofalcoholwith-
drawal and has had some experimental success in alleviating schizophrenic
psychoses. Physicians have observed that halazepam can reduce stress and
depression and can improve epilepsy. An experiment found that halazepam
did not increase belligerence, unlike some benzodiazepine class drugs. Canine
studies show that in the body the drug converts into nordiazepam andoxa-
zepam, which are also metabolites ofdiazepam.
Drawbacks.The compound can reduce saliva output. With stronger dosages
elderly persons sometimes experience difficulty in manual dexterity and other
muscle control; during an experiment several elderly individuals fell. In cer-
tain kinds of tests mice exhibit memory trouble after the drug is given.
Abuse factors.In an experiment some alcoholics had difficulty distinguish-
ing halazepam from placebo, an outcome suggesting that the drug has low
potential for abuse (as abusers of alcohol and other drugs should be particu-
larly susceptible). Nonetheless, a person’s body can develop physical depen-
dence with halazepam, which is a traditional sign of addictive potential. One
group of researchers found withdrawal symptoms to be so mild, however,
that a placebo could control them.
Drug interactions.The heartburn medicine cimetidine is suspected of inter-
fering with halazepam’s effects.
Cancer.No cancer developed in rats and mice at daily dosage levels 5 to
50 times the maximum human dose.