Benzodiazepines are usually taken orally, but intravenous injection is possible after preparing a solution from crushed tablets. Commercially available liquid forms can also be injected, and gel forms can be rectally administered.
Ultra short acting benzos – The half-life of ultra short acting benzodiazepines is less than 5 hours. These drugs are essentially non-accumulating.
Short acting and intermediate benzos – This class of benzodiazepines have half-life values from 5-24 hours and can be dosed more frequently. Accumulation during multiple dosage is less extensive than with the long-acting group, and diminishes as the half-life becomes shorter.
Long acting benzos – Long acting benzodiazepines have half-life values usually exceeding 24 hours. Drugs in this category have long acting pharmacologically active metabolites which accumulate extensively during multiple dosage.