Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are generally used as a short term treatment, as they can be very addictive and cause withdrawal symptoms when used for longer durations – it is recommended as an emergency treatment, and benzodiazepines should not be used for more than 1 month. These drugs are not usually helpful for conditions like schizophrenia or manic depression but may be used in emergency situations needing rapid tranquilisation. Benzodiazepines should also not be used for panic disorder.

How do they work?

When you are anxious, your brain becomes more active. It may then produce a chemical messenger (or 'neurotransmitter') called GABA that makes you feel calmer. GABA is the brain's naturally occurring 'calmer'. The benzodiazepines make the action of GABA more powerful and this helps to calm people down.

Types of benzodiazepines

This type of drug is sometimes grouped by the length of time over which it acts, (called a half-life) with short half-life benzodiazepines called ‘hypnotics’ and longer acting benzodiazepines called ‘anxiolytics’.

Hypnotics are used for those experiencing difficulties sleeping (insomnia) and they include:

• Flurazepam (Dalmane)
• Loprazolam
• Lormetazepam
• Nitrazepam (Mogadon)
• Temazepam.

Anxiolytic type benzodiazepines help to reduce anxiety, agitation and tension and they include:

• Diazepam (Valium)
• Alprazolam (Xanax)
• Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
• Lorazepam (Ativan) 
• Oxazepam