Which two benzodiazepines are known to have metabolites of nordiazepam and oxazepam?

The correct answer identifies chlordiazepoxide and diazepam as the benzodiazepines that have nordiazepam and oxazepam as their metabolites. Both chlordiazepoxide and diazepam belong to the class of long-acting benzodiazepines, which means they are metabolized into active metabolites that contribute to their effects and have a longer duration of action.

Diazepam, for instance, is metabolized into nordiazepam (also known as desmethyldiazepam), which retains sedative effects and can accumulate, especially with prolonged usage. Additionally, chlordiazepoxide is also metabolized to oxazepam, another active metabolite which is used for its anxiolytic properties. These metabolites impact the overall pharmacological profile of the medications, leading to their continued presence and activity in the body even when the parent compound is no longer present.

These metabolic pathways are important for understanding how these medications work, their potential for accumulation, and why tapering may be necessary in long-term usage to avoid withdrawal symptoms. The other drug combinations listed do not share these specific metabolites, which distinguishes this pair.