Benzodiazepines are depressants that produce sedation, induce
sleep, relieve anxiety and muscle spasms, and prevent seizures.
Street names
Benzos, Downers
- Looks like:
The most common benzodiazepines are the prescription drugs
Valium®, Xanax®, Halcion®, Ativan®, and Klonopin®. Tolerance can develop, although at variable rates and to different
degrees. Shorter-acting benzodiazepines used to manage insomnia include estazolam (ProSom®), flurazepam
(Dalmane®), temazepam (Restoril®), and triazolam (Halcion®). Midazolam (Versed®), a short-acting benzodiazepine,
is utilized for sedation, anxiety, and amnesia in critical care settings and prior to anesthesia. It is available in the United
States as an injectable preparation and as a syrup (primarily for pediatric patients). Benzodiazepines with a longer
duration of action are utilized to treat insomnia in patients with daytime anxiety. These benzodiazepines include
alprazolam (Xanax®), chlordiazepoxide(Librium®), clorazepate (Tranxene®), diazepam (Valium®), halazepam
(Paxipam®), lorzepam (Ativan®), oxazepam (Serax®), prazepam (Centrax®), and quazepam (Doral®). Clonazepam
(Klonopin®), diazepam, and clorazepate are also used as anticonvulsants.
Methods of abuse
Abuse is frequently associated with adolescents and young adults who take the drug orally or crush it up and snort it to
get high. Abuse is particularly high among heroin and cocaine abusers.
- Affect on mind:
Benzodiazepines are associated with amnesia, hostility, irritability, and vivid or disturbing dreams.
- Affect on body:
Benzodiazepines slow down the central nervous system and may cause sleepiness.
- Drugs causing similar effects
Alcohol, barbiturates, sleeping pills, and GHB
Overdose effects
Effects of overdose include shallow respiration, clammy skin, dilated pupils, weak and rapid pulse, coma, and possible
death..
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