benzodiazepine gabriel j. thompson. type of drug a benzodiazepine also known as “benzo" or...
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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.
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.