BENZODIAZEPINEGabriel J. Thompson

TYPE OF DRUG

A benzodiazepine also known as “BENZO" or

“DIAZEPAM” is a psychoactive drug.

HISTORY

The first such drug, chlordiazepoxide, was discovered accidentally by Leo

Sternbach in 1955, and made available in 1960 by Hoffmann–La Roche, which has also marketed Valium since 1963.

Benzodiazepines act by enhancing the actions of a natural brain chemical, GABA (gamma-

aminobutyric acid). GABA is a neurotransmitter, an agent which transmits messages from one neuron to another. The

message that GABA transmits is an inhibitory one: it tells the neurons that it contacts to slow

down or stop firing. Since about 40% of the millions of neurons all over the brain respond to GABA, this means that GABA has quite an influence on the brain: it is in some ways the

body's natural hypnotic and tranquilliser. This natural action of GABA is augmented by

benzodiazepines which thus exert an extra (often excessive) inhibitory influence on

neurons.

COMMON AND GENERIC NAMED

BENZODIAZEPINES

Alprazolam-Helex, Xanax, Xanor, Onax, Alprox,

Restyl, Tafil, Paxal

Bretazenil

Bromazepam-Lectopam, Lexotanil, Lexotan,

Bromam

Brotizolam-Lendormin, Dormex, Sintonal,

Noctilan

Chlordiazepoxide-Librium, Risolid, Elenium

Cinolazepam-Gerodorm

Clonazepam-Rivotril, Rivotril, Klonopin, Iktorivil,

Paxam

Clorazepate-Tranxene, Tranxilium

Clotiazepam-Veratran, Clozan, Rize

Cloxazolam-Sepazon, Olcadil

Delorazepam-Dadumir

Diazepam-Antenex, Apaurin, Apzepam,

Apozepam, Hexalid, Pax, Stesolid, Stedon, Valium,

Vival, Valaxona

Estazolam-ProSom

Ethyl loflazepate-Victan, Meilax, Ronlax

Etizolam-Etilaam, Pasaden, Depas

Flunitrazepam-Rohypnol, Hipnosedon, Vulbegal, Fluscand,

Flunipam, Ronal, Rohydorm,

Flurazepam-Dalmadorm, Dalmane

Flutoprazepam-Restas

Halazepam-Paxipam

Ketazolam-Anxon

Loprazolam-Dormonoct

Lorazepam-Ativan, Lorenin, Lorsilan, Temesta, Tavor,

Lorabenz

Lormetazepam-Loramet, Noctamid, Pronoctan

Medazepam-Nobrium

Midazolam-Dormicum, Versed, Hypnovel, Dormonid

Nimetazepam-Erimin

Nitrazepam-Mogadon, Alodorm, Pacisyn,

Dumolid, Nitrazadon

Nordazepam-Madar, Stilny

Oxazepam-Seresta, Serax, Serenid, Serepax,

Sobril, Oxabenz, Oxapax, Opamox

Phenazepam

Pinazepam-Domar

Prazepam-Lysanxia, Centrax

Premazepam

Pyrazolam

Quazepam-Doral

Temazepam-Restoril, Normison, Euhypnos,

Temaze, Tenox

Tetrazepam-Myolastan

Triazolam-Halcion, Rilamir

Appearance

PURPOSES

Benzodiazepines are useful in treating anxiety, insomnia, agitation, seizures,

muscle spasms, alcohol withdrawal and as a premedication for medical or

dental procedures

Therapeutic actions

ActionAnxiolytic-relief of anxiety

Hypnotic-promotion of sleep

Myorelaxant-muscle relaxation

Anticonvulsant-stop fits, convulsions

Amnesia-impair short-term memory

Clinical UseAnxiety and panic

disorders, phobias

Insomnia.

Muscle spasms, spastic disorders.

Fits due to drug poisoning, some forms of epilepsy.

Premedication for operations, sedation for minor surgical procedures.

CATEGORIES

Benzodiazepines are categorized as either short-, intermediate-, or long-acting. Short- and intermediate-acting benzodiazepines are preferred for the treatment of insomnia;

longer-acting benzodiazepines are recommended for the treatment of anxiety.

IMMEDIATE EFFECTS

Benzodiazepines enhance receptors, resulting in sedative, hypnotic, anti-anxiety, and muscle

relaxant properties!

POSSIBLE SHORT TERM

Panic attacks, agoraphobiaInsomnia, nightmares

Tremors, muscle spasms, stiffness, pain,

hallucinations,depression, psychosis

POSSIBLE LONG TERM

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)Neurological - tinnitus, neuropathy

Motor - muscle spasms, stiffness, painGastrointestinal

Cognitive impairment

OversedationMemory and cognitive impairment, traffic accidents, falls and fractures,

mental confusion/dementia in the elderly.

Additive effects with alcohol/drugs Aggressiveness, violence, baby battering, wife beating

Dependence/withdrawalIllicit abuse suicide, Aggression, violence, antisocial behavior, risks to fetus if

pregnant, unemployment through illness.

Recreational abuse AIDS, hepatitis, unwanted pregnancy

OTHER PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED

Veterinary useBenzodiazepines are used in veterinary practice in the treatment of

various disorders and conditions. As in humans, they are used in the

first-line management of seizures, status epilepticus, and tetanus, and

as maintenance therapy in epilepsy (in particular, in cats). They are

widely used in small and large animals (including horses, swine, cattle

and exotic and wild animals) for their anxiolytic and sedative effects,

as premedication before surgery, for induction of anesthesia and as

adjuncts to anesthesia.

FINAL

Works Cited

"Benzodiazepine." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 02 Dec. 2013. Web. 12 Feb. 2014.

"List of Benzodiazepines." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation,02 May 2013. Web. 12 Feb. 2014.

"Addiction: Part I. Benzodiazepines—Side Effects, Abuse Risk and alternatives."Addiction: Part I. Benzodiazepines-Side Effects, Abuse Risk and Alternatives. N.p., 1 Apr. 2000. Web. 11 Feb. 2014.