It possesses anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, sedative and skeletal muscle relaxant properties.
Peak plasma rates are achieved in around 2,5 hours after oral administration.[3] The elimination half-life is between approximately 2–4 hours.[2][4] Bentazepam is effective as an anxiolytic.
A severe benzodiazepine overdose with bentazepam may result in coma and respiratory failure.[5] Adverse effects include dry mouth, somnolence, asthenia, dyspepsia, constipation, nausea[6] and drug-induced lymphocytic colitis has been associated with bentazepam.[7][8] Severe liver damage and hepatitis has also been associated with bentazepam.[9][10][11] Whilst liver failure from bentazepam is considered to be rare, liver function monitoring has been recommended for all patients taking bentazepam.[12]
^ abGonzalez López F, Mariño EL, Dominguez-Gil A (September 1986). "Pharmacokinetics of tiadipone: a new anxiolytic". International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, Therapy, and Toxicology. 24 (9): 482–4. PMID2877954.
^Mariño EL, Fernandez Lastra C, Gonzalez Lopez F, Dominguez-Gil A, Garcia Santalla JL, Vorca G, et al. (November 1987). "Parametrization by non-linear regression and bayesian estimation of bentazepam in a multiple dosage regimen in humans". International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, Therapy, and Toxicology. 25 (11): 627–32. PMID3429066.
^Colino CI, Lastra CF, López FG, Ledesma A, Mariño EL (November 1991). "Open-loop feedback control of serum bentazepam concentrations and Bayesian estimation in multiple dosage regimens in patients". International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, Therapy, and Toxicology. 29 (11): 457–62. PMID1800395.
^Rivas López FA, López Soriano F, Mendoza Cerezo A, Jiménez Ferré J, Azurmendi Rodríguez JI, de la Rubia Nieto MA (1989). "[Mixed benzodiazepine poisoning and reversal with flumazenil (Ro 15-1788)]". Revista Espanola de Anestesiologia y Reanimacion. 36 (1): 48–50. PMID2565591.
^Honorato J, Rubio A, Tristán C, Otero FJ, Garrido J (1990). "[A pharmacovigilance study with bentazepam in a sample of 1046 psychiatric outpatients]". Revista de Medicina de la Universidad de Navarra. 34 (2): 80–8. PMID1983365.
^Fernández-Bañares F, Salas A, Esteve M, Espinós J, Forné M, Viver JM (February 2003). "Collagenous and lymphocytic colitis. evaluation of clinical and histological features, response to treatment, and long-term follow-up". The American Journal of Gastroenterology. 98 (2): 340–7. doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2003.07225.x. PMID12591052. S2CID1983209.
^de-la-Serna C, Gil-Grande LA, Sanromán AL, Gonzalez M, Ruiz-del-Arbol L, Garcia Plaza A (December 1997). "Bentazepam-induced hepatic bridging necrosis". Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. 25 (4): 710–1. doi:10.1097/00004836-199712000-00042. PMID9451703.
^Andrade RJ, Lucena MI, Aguilar J, Lazo MD, Camargo R, Moreno P, et al. (July 2000). "Chronic liver injury related to use of bentazepam: an unusual instance of benzodiazepine hepatotoxicity". Digestive Diseases and Sciences. 45 (7): 1400–4. doi:10.1023/A:1005520523502. PMID10961721.