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How to Pronounce Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)

Q: What is Chlordiazepoxide used for?

Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) is used for alcohol withdrawal syndrome, anxiety, and preoperative sedation. It was the first benzodiazepine synthesized (1955) and introduced clinically (1960).

klor-dye-AZ-e-POX-ide

IPA: /ˌklɔːr.daɪ.ˈæz.ɛ.ˌpɒk.saɪd/

Brand name: Librium

klor dye AZ e POX ide

How do you pronounce Chlordiazepoxide?

Chlordiazepoxide is pronounced “klor-dye-AZ-e-POX-ide”. It has 6 syllables: klor ‑ dye ‑ az ‑ e ‑ pox ‑ ide. Primary stress falls on the third syllable “az”, with secondary stress on “pox”. The “chlor” prefix is pronounced like “klor” (as in chlorine), and the “dye” is a long “i” sound.

How many syllables are in Chlordiazepoxide?

Chlordiazepoxide has 6 syllables: klor ‑ dye ‑ az ‑ e ‑ pox ‑ ide.

What is Chlordiazepoxide used for?

Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) is the original benzodiazepine — the first of the class to be synthesized (1955, by Leo Sternbach at Hoffmann-La Roche) and introduced clinically (1960). It is a long-acting benzodiazepine with an active metabolite (desmethylchlordiazepoxide, then nordiazepam) giving an effective half-life of 24–100 hours. Clinical uses include alcohol withdrawal syndrome (a first-line agent in many protocols), generalized anxiety disorder, acute agitation, and preoperative sedation. Its long half-life makes it useful for alcohol withdrawal because plasma levels self-taper, reducing risk of breakthrough seizures.

How does Chlordiazepoxide work?

Chlordiazepoxide binds to the benzodiazepine site on GABA-A receptors, allosterically increasing the frequency of chloride channel opening in response to GABA. This potentiates inhibitory neurotransmission throughout the CNS. In alcohol withdrawal, it compensates for the loss of alcohol’s GABAergic effect, preventing severe withdrawal symptoms including seizures and delirium tremens.

Word Parts

prefix chlor- chlorine atom in the chemical structure

root diazep- diazepine ring structure (benzo + diazepine)

suffix -oxide N-oxide functional group (unique to chlordiazepoxide among classic benzos)

Common Mispronunciations

Primary stress falls on the third syllable “AZ”, not the first. Avoid “KLOR-di-aze-pox-ide”. The “dye” is a long vowel — not “dee”. Many clinicians shorten it to “chlordiazep” informally, but know the full name for documentation.

Where You’ll Encounter This

Inpatient alcohol withdrawal protocols (CIWA-Ar scoring), addiction medicine, emergency medicine, hepatology. Frequently tested on licensing exams as the first benzodiazepine and prototype of the class. Sometimes abbreviated “CDP” in older literature.