| name: | Benzodiazepines |
| also known as: | Anxiolytic; Hypnotic; Sedative; Oxazepam (Serax); Clonazepam (Klonopin); Midazolam (Versed); Triazolam (Halcion); Temazepam (Restoril); Lorazepam (Ativan); Alprazolam (Xanax, Xanex); Chlordiazepoxide (Librium); Diazepam (Valium); Flurazepam (Dalmane); Clorazepate (Tranxene); Sedative; Tranquilizer; Anti-anxiety Drugs; Anti Anxiety Drugs; Anxiolytics; BZD |
| also see: | Barbiturates; BuSpar; Ambien; Chloral Hydrate; Antiseizure Drugs; Anxiety; Seizure; Depression; Panic Disorder; Insomnia |
| description: | Benzodiazepines are anxiolytic agents, that is, they reduce anxiety and can produce hypnotic and sedative states. They have largely replaced barbiturates as the drug of choice for the treatment of anxiety. Some of the symptoms of anxiety that are treated with benzodiazepines include increased heart rate, increased breathing, sweating, trembling, and a sense of weakness. A major neurotransmitter in the brain is called GABA. Benzodiazepines bind next to the GABA receptor thereby potentiating the effect of GABA, which in turn produces the desired results. The classic benzodiazepine is Valium. Benzodiazepines are divided into length of action, that is, how long they are effective in the body before the body neutralizes or excretes them. Short acting benzodiazepines are: Oxazepam (Serax), Clonazepam (Klonopin), Midazolam (Versed), and Triazolam (Halcion); intermediate acting are: Temazepam (Restoril), Lorazepam (Ativan), and Alprazolam (Xanax); and long acting: Chlordiazepoxide (Librium), Diazepam (Valium), and Flurazepam (Dalmane). Clinical use of benzodiazepines, in addition to treating anxiety include muscle relaxation, panic disorder (especially alprazolam, xanax), active seizure activity (diazepam, valium), sleep disorders and insomnia, alcohol withdrawal (valium, librium), and in the induction of anesthesia or balanced general anesthesia (usually midazolam = versed) where more then one drug is used. It is also used alone or with a narcotic for intravenous sedation, such as for surgical procedures or diagnostic procedures (colonoscopy). In the treatment of seizure, intravenous diazepam (valium) is the drug of choice for breaking status epilepticus. Clonazepam (klonopin) is used to treat myoclonic seizure in children and clorazepate (tranxene) is used to treat partial seizure. |
| signs & symptoms: | Side effects can include psychological and physical dependence or drug addiction, drowsiness, confusion, ataxia or incoordination, dizziness, respiratory depression or shallow breathing, AND, if taken with alcohol can cause respiratory distress, respiratory arrest, confusion and death. |
| treatment: | Can be given orally, intravenously, or intramuscularly, depending upon which type. Also see Rx diazepam (valium) Also see Rx flurazepam (dalmane) Also see Rx clorazepate (tranxene) Also see Rx alprazolam (xanax) Also see Rx Lorazepam (ativan) Also see Rx amitriptyline/chlordiazepoxide (limbitrol) Also see Rx chlordiazepoxide/clidinium (librax) Also see Rx chlordiazepoxide (librium) Also see Rx clonazepam (klonopen) Also see Rx oxazepam (serax) Also see Rx temazepam (restoril) Also see Rx triazolam (halcion) Also see Rx midazolam (versed) Reversal/Overdose: Also see Rx flumazenil (romazicon) |
| prevention: | The effects and side effects as well as drug overdose or toxicity of benzodiazepines can be reversed with the drug flumazenil (Romazicon). Also, withdrawal symptoms from benzodiazepines can be treated with clonidine. |
skynetMD suggests the following:
| if: | If you have questions, problems, or concerns regarding any medication |
| go to: | Go to the phone and ask your pharmacist or your doctor, or go to the doctor. |
Last updated 7/5/2009