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.
Benzodiazepines may be used to treat:
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.
| 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. |
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| 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) |
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.
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:
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.
Data Source:drugs.com
Alprazolam is used to treat anxiety disorders and panic disorder (sudden, unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry about these attacks). Alprazolam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain.
Data Source:medlineplus.gov
Alprazolam is used to treat anxiety disorders and panic disorder (sudden, unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry about these attacks). Alprazolam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain.
Data Source:medlineplus.gov
Alprazolam is used to treat anxiety disorders and panic disorder (sudden, unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry about these attacks). Alprazolam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain.
Data Source:medlineplus.gov
Alprazolam is used to treat anxiety disorders and panic disorder (sudden, unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry about these attacks). Alprazolam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain.
Data Source:medlineplus.gov
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Chlordiazepoxide is used to relieve anxiety and to control agitation caused by alcohol withdrawal. Chlordiazepoxide is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by decreasing abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Data Source:medlineplus.gov
Clobazam is used with other medication(s) to control seizures in adults and children 2 years of age and older who have Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (a disorder that causes seizures and often causes developmental delays). Clobazam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by decreasing abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Data Source:medlineplus.gov
Clonazepam is used alone or in combination with other medications to control certain types of seizures. It is also used to relieve panic attacks (sudden, unexpected attacks of extreme fear and worry about these attacks). Clonazepam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by decreasing abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Data Source:medlineplus.gov
Clorazepate is used to relieve anxiety. Clorazepate is also used along with other medications to treat certain types of seizures. It is also used to relieve unpleasant symptoms that may be experienced by people who have stopped drinking alcohol after drinking large amounts for a long time. Clorazepate is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by decreasing abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Data Source:medlineplus.gov
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Diazepam is used to relieve anxiety and to control agitation caused by alcohol withdrawal. It is also used along with other medications to control muscle spasms and spasticity caused by certain neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy (condition that causes difficulty with movement and balance), paraplegia (inability to move parts of the body), athetosis (abnormal muscle contractions), and stiff-man syndrome (a rare disorder with muscle rigidity and stiffness). Diazepam is also used along with other medications to control seizures. Diazepam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by calming abnormal overactivity in the brain.
Data Source:medlineplus.gov
Estazolam is used for the short-term treatment of insomnia (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep). Estazolam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by slowing activity in the brain to allow sleep.
Data Source:medlineplus.gov
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Lorazepam is used to relieve anxiety. Lorazepam is also used to treat insomnia caused by anxiety or temporary situational stress. Lorazepam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by slowing activity in the brain to allow for relaxation.
Data Source:medlineplus.gov
Lorazepam is used to relieve anxiety. Lorazepam is also used to treat insomnia caused by anxiety or temporary situational stress. Lorazepam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by slowing activity in the brain to allow for relaxation.
Data Source:medlineplus.gov
Midazolam is given to children before medical procedures or before anesthesia for surgery to cause drowsiness, relieve anxiety, and prevent any memory of the event. Midazolam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by slowing activity in the brain to allow relaxation and sleep.
Data Source:medlineplus.gov
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Oxazepam is used to relieve anxiety, including anxiety caused by alcohol withdrawal (symptoms that may develop in people who stop drinking alcohol after drinking large amounts for a long time). Oxazepam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by slowing activity in the brain to allow for relaxation.
Data Source:medlineplus.gov
Temazepam is used on a short-term basis to treat insomnia (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep). Temazepam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by slowing activity in the brain to allow sleep.
Data Source:medlineplus.gov
Triazolam is used on a short-term basis to treat insomnia (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep). Triazolam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by slowing activity in the brain to allow sleep.
Data Source:medlineplus.gov
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