A 40 years old patient with liver dysfunction is scheduled for a surgical procedure. Lorazepam can be used for pre-anaesthetic medication in this patient without concern for excessive CNS depression because the drug is:: (A) Selective anxiolytic like buspirone, (B) Conjugated directly, (C) Reversible by administration of naloxone, (D) Forming several active metabolites
Answer is B. (Ref: Katzung 6/e p450) Lorazepam and oxazepam are the benzodiazepines which are excreted from the body by glucuronide conjugation without phase 1 metabolism in the liver. So these can be used safely in hepatic dysfunction.