Serum Levels of Diazepam and N-Desmethyldiazepam in Hospitalized Patients

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Abstract
This is a study of institutionalized patients who had been receiving diazepam for 5 or more days and had achieved a steady-state level of diazepam. Serum determinations of diazepam and N-desmethyldiazepam were made using an electron capture gas chromatograph. Previous investigators have shown that in institutionalized patients receiving diazepam, 70% of the patients are receiving it for anxiety. Clinical assessments have shown that a serum concentration of 400 ng/ml is necessary to relieve acute anxiety with diazepam. Our results showed that 3 of 25 patients were receiving an adequate dose to achieve a 400 ng level and thus alleviate acute anxiety.

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