Benzodiazepines

What are Benzodiazepines?

Benzodiazepines (also called “benzos”) are a class of agents that work in the central nervous system and are used for a variety of medical conditions.

They act on specific receptors in the brain, called gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABA-A) receptors. Benzodiazepines attach to these receptors and make the nerves in the brain less sensitive to stimulation, which has a calming effect.

What are benzodiazepines used for?

Benzodiazepines may be used to treat:

alcohol withdrawal
anxiety
as a muscle relaxant
panic disorder
seizures
sleep disorders
to induce relaxation and cause amnesia prior to surgical operations.

What are the differences between benzodiazepines?

All benzodiazepines work in a similar way but there are differences in the way individual benzodiazepines act on different GABA-A receptor sub-types. In addition, some benzodiazepines are more potent than others or work for a longer length of time. The table below summarizes the common benzodiazepines available in the U.S.

Common Benzodiazepines Available in the U.S.

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Generic Name	Brand Name	Common Uses	Half-life*
* The half-life is the amount of time it takes for half of the drug to be eliminated from the body. The shorter the half-life, the quicker the drug is eliminated. All benzodiazepines are listed as DEA scheduled IV controlled substances. As controlled substances, all benzodiazepines have the potential for abuse, addiction and diversion.
alprazolam	Niravam, Xanax, Xanax XR	anxiety, panic disorders	6-26h (short-acting)
chlordiazepoxide	Librax	anxiety, alcohol withdrawal	30-100h (long-acting)
clobazam	Onfi	Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, adjunct (seizures)	71-82h (long-acting)
clonazepam	Klonopin	seizure disorder, panic disorder, neuralgia (nerve pain)	20-50h (long-acting)
clorazepate	Tranxene T-Tab	anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, partial seizures	20-100h (long-acting)
diazepam	Valium	anxiety, sedation, alcohol withdrawal, muscle spasm, seizure disorders	20-100h (long-acting)
estazolam	ProSom	insomnia (short-term use)	10-24h (medium-acting)
flurazepam	Dalmane	insomnia (short-term use)	40-100h (long-acting)
lorazepam	Ativan	anxiety, insomnia (short-term use), seizures, sedation	10-20h (medium-acting)
midazolam	Generic	sedation, preoperative; general anesthesia induction; seizures	2.5h (short-acting)
oxazepam	Generic	anxiety, alcohol withdrawal	5-15h (short-acting)
quazepam	Doral	insomnia (short-term use)	25h (medium-acting)
remimazolam	Byfavo	sedation, preoperative, relaxant before minor procedures	37 - 53 minutes (very short-acting)
temazepam	Restoril	insomnia (short-term use)	10-20h (medium-acting)
triazolam	Halcion	insomnia (short-term use)	2-5h (short-acting)

Are benzodiazepines safe?

When prescribed by a doctor and used for short periods of time, such as the day of surgery or for less than two weeks (but not every night) to aid sleep, benzodiazepines are safe to take.

Problems start to arise when benzodiazepines are taken at higher dosages than recommended, or when they are taken for more than two to four weeks. Benzodiazepines are potentially addictive and the risk of becoming emotionally and physically dependent on them increases the more you take. In addition, tolerance can develop with their use. This is when the same dose no longer gives the same effect, and a dosage increase is needed to ease symptoms again.

Benzodiazepines should only be taken at the lowest dose for the shortest possible length of time.

What are the side effects of benzodiazepines?

Drowsiness, sleepiness, or dizziness are the most common side effects reported. This can make it dangerous for people taking benzodiazepines to drive or operate machinery or perform other hazardous tasks. Alcohol may potentiate these effects.

Other commonly reported side effects include:

amnesia (forgetfulness)
confusion
constipation
nausea
sexual dysfunction
unsteadiness when walking or standing
unusually slow and shallow breathing
vision problems (blurred or double vision).

Withdrawal symptoms may occur with abrupt discontinuation – symptoms may include convulsions, cramps, insomnia, sweating, tremors, and vomiting.

Some people develop a paradoxical reaction to benzodiazepines – this is the opposite reaction to what you would expect. They may become agitated or very anxious, develop hallucinations, have difficulty sleeping or exhibit bizarre behavior such as taking off their clothes in public or taking unnecessary risks.

For more about benzodiazepines see Benzodiazepines: Overview and Use.

List drug with Benzodiazepines

Drug Name
Alprazolam Generic name: Alprazolam
Clorazepate Generic name: Clorazepate
Byfavo Generic name: Remimazolam
Chlordiazepoxide Generic name: Chlordiazepoxide
Chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride Generic name: Chlordiazepoxide Hydrochloride
Dalmane Generic name: Flurazepam
Doral Generic name: Quazepam
Estazolam Generic name: Estazolam
Flurazepam Generic name: Flurazepam
Gabazolamine-0.5 Generic name: Alprazolam
Gen-Xene Generic name: Clorazepate
Halcion Generic name: Triazolam
Librium Generic name: Chlordiazepoxide
Loreev XR Generic name: Lorazepam (oral)
Midazolam Generic name: Midazolam (oral)
Midazolam (Oral) Generic name: Midazolam
Midazolam injection Generic name: Midazolam (injection)
Midazolam nasal Generic name: Midazolam (nasal)
Nayzilam Generic name: Midazolam (nasal)
Niravam Generic name: Alprazolam
Oxazepam Generic name: Oxazepam
Prosom Generic name: Estazolam
Quazepam Generic name: Quazepam
Remimazolam Generic name: Remimazolam
Restoril Generic name: Temazepam
Serax Generic name: Oxazepam
Temazepam Generic name: Temazepam
Tranxene Generic name: Clorazepate
Tranxene T-Tab Generic name: Clorazepate
Tranxene-SD Generic name: Clorazepate
Triazolam Generic name: Triazolam
Versed Generic name: Midazolam (oral)
Versed (Midazolam Injection) Generic name: Midazolam
Versed (Midazolam Oral) Generic name: Midazolam
Xanax Generic name: Alprazolam
Xanax XR Generic name: Alprazolam

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