It is a fine, light yellow, practically odorless compound insoluble in the common organic solvents, but very soluble in water.
Aqueous solutions are unstable, clear, light yellow, and alkaline.
The inactive ingredients include lactose anhydrous, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polacrilin potassium, silicon dioxide colloidal and talc. It has depressant effects on the central nervous system. The primary metabolite, nordiazepam, quickly appears in the blood stream. The serum half-life is about 2 days. The drug is metabolized in the liver and excreted primarily in the urine.