Expert: Jacqui - 4/10/2008

Question
PLEASE COULD YOU TELL ME HOW LONG BENZODIAZPINES CAN STAY IN MY SYSTEM FOR. FOR EXAMPLE DRUG SCREEN TEST

Answer
Hi Michael,

Unfortunately I would need more information before I could answer this question as there are a lot of different types of benzodiazepines and they have different 'half-lives' (the amount of time that it takes for 50% of the drug to be out of your system).

I have checked the product information from the MIMS for a couple of benzos - hopefully it is one of these you are inquiring about:

Alprazolam (Xanax) - approx 94% will be excreted via urine within 72 hours, however people who have been using it for longer may have the half life extended by about 50% (so add a day and a half)

Diazepam (valium)- approx 90 hours

If there is another specific medication that you would like to know about, let me know. However, be aware that many things can change the amount of time that a drug is metabolised, including age, health problems, duration of use - so this isn't gospel.

And while I have your attention - you are probably aware that these drugs can be relatively dependency forming and the withdrawals can be serious (seizures).  So if you are using them, use them with care.  Special care should be taken if you are taking them with other central nervous system depressants (ie: things that make your breathing slow down, not things that make you depressed).  If you are using benzos with other drugs (like opiates), then be very careful and try not to use alone.

Anyway, stay safe and I hope this helps!

Jacqui