Effect of benzodiazepine derivatives on human blood cholinesterase in vitro.

The in vitro effect of ten benzodiazepine derivatives on the cholinesterases of human plasma and red cells was determined. Flurazepam, temazepam, lorazepam, flunitrazepam and diazepam had an inhibitory effect on plasma cholinesterase of 60--90 per cent and, with the exception of lorazepam, an inhibitory effect of 40--50 per cent on red cell cholinesterase. Clonazepam, oxazepam, chlordiazepoxide, nitrazepam and bromazepam had comparatively minor effects on both enzymes