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Patients with compromised liver function should not use which one of the following drugs?

A. Temazepam
B. Diazepam
C. Oxazepam
D. Lorazepam
E. Chlorazepate

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Diazepam is the medication that should be avoided by patients with compromised liver function because it has a long half-life and requires liver metabolism, leading to potential accumulation and toxicity. Short half-life benzodiazepines like Lorazepam are safer alternatives for treating anxiety symptoms in these patients.

Step-by-step explanation:

Patients with compromised liver function should be cautious with the use of certain medications, particularly some types of benzodiazepines. Among the options presented, Diazepam (B) is the drug that patients with impaired liver function should avoid. Diazepam has a long half-life and is metabolized by the liver, which can be problematic for those with liver impairments, potentially leading to increased drug accumulation and heightened risk of toxicity. In contrast, drugs with a short half-life such as Lorazepam are considered safer for use in patients with compromised liver function because they are less reliant on hepatic metabolism for clearance from the body. Consequently, lorazepam is commonly used to treat acute anxiety symptoms in a variety of patient populations, including those with liver insufficiencies.

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