It is believed that benzodiazepines enhance or facilitate the inhibitory neurotransmitter action of gamma - aminobutyric acid (GABA) , which is one of the major inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain and mediates both pre - and post - synaptic inhibition in alI regions of the CNS, following interaction between the benzodiazepine and a specific neuronal membrane receptor.
Antianxiety agent; sedative - hypnotic - Believed to stimulate GABA receptors in the ascending reticular activating system. Since GABA is inhibitory, receptor stimulation increases inhibition and blocks both cortical and limbic arousal following stimulation of the brain stem reticular formation.

- Anxiety (treatment) -Chlordiazepoxide is indicated for the management of anxiety disorders or for the short - term relief of the symptoms of anxiety and treatment of preoperative apprehension and anxiety.
- Alcohol withdrawal (treatment) - It is indicated for the relief of acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as acute agitation, tremor, impending or acute delirium tremens, and hallucinosis.
- Headache, tension - Tremors (treatment) - It is used in the treatment of tension headache, familial, senile, or essential action tremors.

Risk - benefit should be considered when the following medical problems exist: Alcohol intoxication, acute, with depressed vital signs (additive CNS depression) - Drug abuse or dependence, history of (patients predisposed to habituation and dependence ) - Glaucoma, angle closure, acute or predisposition to (benzodiazepines may have anticholinergic effect) - Hepatic and renal function impairment (elimination half - life may be prolonged) - Hyperkinesis (paradoxical reactions may occur) - Hypoalbuminemia - Mental depression, severe - Myasthenia gravis - Organic brain disorders - Porphyria - Psychoses - Sensitivity to benzodiazepines - Sleep apnea.

Chlordiazepoxide crosses the placenta and has been reported to increase the risk of congenital malformations when used during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Chronic usage of benzodiazepines during pregnancy may cause physical dependence with resulting withdrawal symptoms in the neonate. Use of benzodiazepine hypnotics during the last weeks of pregnancy may result in neonatal CNS depression.
Chlordiazepoxide may be distributed into breast milk. Since neonates metabolize benzodiazepines more slowly than adults and accumulation of the benzodiazepine and / or its metabolites may occur.

Combinations containing any of the following medications, depending on the amount present, may also interact with this medication:
Alcohol or CNS depression - producing medications; Antacids; Cimetidine; Clozapine; Hypotension - producing medications; Levodopa; Zidovudine; Theophyllines; Erythromycin; Contraceptives - oral.

Those indicating need for medical attention. Incidence less frequent: Intolerance to benzodiazepines (confusion); mental depression.
Incidence rare: Allergic reaction; blood dyscrasias; extrapyramidal effects, dystonic; hepatic dysfunction; hypotension; memory impairment; muscle weakness ; paradoxical reactions ; phlebitis or venous thrombosis; behavior problems.

Usual adult dose:
Antianxiety agent - Oral, 5 to 25 mg 3 or 4 times a day. Sedative - hypnotic; Alcohol withdrawal - Oral, 50 to 100 mg initially, repeated as needed, up to 400 mg per day, the dosage then reduced to maintenance levels.
Usual pediatric dose:
Antianxiety agent - Children up to 6 years of age: Safety and efficacy have not been established. Children 6 years of age and over: Oral, 5 mg 2 to 4 times a day, the dosage being increased, if necessary, to 10 mg 2 or 3 times a day.
Usual geriatric dose:
Antianxiety agent - Oral, 5 mg 2 to 4 times a day, the dosage being increased gradually as needed and tolerated.