The protein binding of diazepam and N-demethyldiazepam in patients with poor renal function

The plasma protein binding of diazepam and of its main metabolite, N-demethyldiazepam, was measured in patients with renal disease and in healthy volunteers by ultracentrifugation. The total and non-protein bound concentrations of diazepam and N-demethyldiazepam, and the concentration of unconjugated oxazepam in the plasma were determined by gas chromatography after an oral 10 mg dose of diazepam. In the volunteers 98% of diazepam and N-demethyldiazepam were bound to the plasma proteins. In patients with renal disease the corresponding values were 92% and 95%, respectively. In the patients with renal disease no correlation could be found between the percent protein binding of diazepam or N-demethyldiazepam in the plasma and the serum creatinine concentration. Considerable variations in diazepam concentrations at 1 and 24 hours and in N-demethyldiazepam concentrations at 24 hours were found in the patients with renal disease. In contrast to the volunteers, 5 patients out of 28 with renal disease had measurable amounts of unconjugated oxazepam in the plasma. The deficient ability of the plasma proteins of patients with renal disease to bind diazepam may increase its clinical effect.