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Librium (chlordiazepoxide) is a sedative used to treat insomnia and a variety of anxiety-related conditions, including anxiety resulting from alcohol or drug withdrawal. The medication is sometimes used in numerous other applications, but these uses are relatively rare.

This medication can be used in all ages. Children should have dosage determined by a doctor.

What Librium Is

Librium is in the benzodiazepine class of drugs. While it has several properties, Librium is most often used as a sedative. It's commonly used to treat:

• Moderate to severe anxiety
• Anxiety prior to surgery
• Insomnia
• Withdrawal symptoms

Librium acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to produce a calming effect. It is dose-dependent to a large extent, meaning the higher the dose the greater the effect. It is also among the longer-lasting benzodiazepines available.

All benzodiazepines are psychoactive, and in some countries---notably the US and the UK---they are considered a controlled substance.

Some benzodiazepines are more addictive than others, and Librium is not among the most widely abused, but it is considered addictive. Patients may need to take more of the medication to acheive the same feeling, or doses may be used to enhance the effects of other drugs. Patients prone to addiction will want to use this medication with caution.

In most cases treatment spans no longer than 2 to 4 consecutive weeks. In some cases treatment may last up to 4 months. Longer use is not recommended.

Dosage & Administration

Librium is used to manage moderate to severe anxiety; not the routine anxiety from daily life that everyone experiences.

The medication comes in tablets or capsules, which should be swallowed whole. Food is optional.

Ideally dosage will be determined by a doctor, who can take into account personal variables like age, weight, other medications being taken, and so forth. Dosage also depends on what is being treated.

For general anxiety:

• Patients age 16 and up should start with 5 mg three or four times a day.
• If needed dosage may be increased to 25 mg three or four times a day.
• Patients age 6 to 15 should take 5 mg two to three times per day. Dosage is sometimes increased to 10 mg two to four times per day if needed.
• Patients under age 6 should have dosage determined by a doctor.

For short-term anxiety spikes (such as death of a loved one):

• Patients age 16 and up should take 5 to 10 mg three or four times a day for several days.
• Patients under age 15 should have dosage determined by a doctor.

For anxiety prior to surgery:

• Patients age 16 and up should take 5 to 10 mg three or four times a day for several days prior to surgery.
• Patients under age 15 should have dosage determined by a doctor.
• 50 to 100 mg may be administered intravenously shortly before surgery.

For drug or alcohol withdrawal:

• Patients age 18 and up should take 50 to 100 mg per day.
• Dosage may go as high as 300 mg per day at the beginning.
• Do not exceed 300 mg per day.

The medication sees the highest doses and longest use in treating drug or alcohol withdrawal. Initial high doses are often administered intravenously rather than via tablet.

If using Librium to stop drug or alcohol addiction, it's important that the patient wants to quit. If drugs or alcohol are consumed while taking Librium effects will be significantly enhanced, which can prove fatal.

In all cases treatment should not exceed 4 months.

Ending Treatment

If treatment has spanned more than a couple of weeks---particularly at higher doses---it should not end abruptly. A doctor can advise how to gradually reduce treatment over a few weeks.

Stopping treatment suddenly can produce serious side effects, including seizures, tremors, hallucinations, and odd behavior. Gradually reducing treatment also helps reduce addiction.