What are some examples of benzodiazepines? · alprazolam (Xanax) · chlordiazepoxide (Librium) · clonazepam (Klonopin) · clorazepate (Tranxene) · diazepam ( ...BenzodiazepinesPharmacyAuthor:Annette(Gbemudu)Ogbru,PharmD,MBAMedicalEditor:JayW.Marks,MDReviewedon4/1/2021home > benzodiazepinesWhatAreBenzodiazepines?Whatarebenzodiazepines,andhowdotheywork?TypesofDrugsAretheredifferencesbetweenbenzodiazepines?SideEffectsWhatarethesideeffectsofbenzodiazepines?DrugInteractionsWithwhichdrugsdobenzodiazepinesinteract?DrugExamplesWhataresomeexamplesofbenzodiazepines?AddictionWhatarethedangersofbenzodiazepineaddiction?WithdrawalWhatarethedangersofbenzodiazepinewithdrawal?Whatarebenzodiazepines,andhowdotheywork?Benzodiazepinesareaclassofdrugsprimarilyusedfortreatinganxiety,buttheyalsoareeffectiveintreatingseveralotherconditions.Theexactmechanismofactionofbenzodiazepinesisnotknown,buttheyappeartoworkbyaffectingneurotransmittersinthebrain,chemicalsthatnervesreleaseinordertocommunicatewithothernearbynerves.Oneoftheseneurotransmittersisgamma-aminobutyricacid(GABA),aneurotransmitterthatsuppressestheactivityofnerves.Scientistsbelievethatexcessiveactivityofnervesmaybethecauseofanxietyandotherpsychologicaldisorders,andbenzodiazepinesreducetheactivityofnervesinthebrainandspinalcordbyenhancingtheeffectsofGABA.Forwhatconditionsarebenzodiazepinesused?Benzodiazepinesareusedfortreating:anxietyandpanicseizures(convulsions),andinsomniaortroublesleeping.Theyalsoareusedfor:generalanesthesia,sedationpriortosurgeryordiagnosticprocedures,musclerelaxation,alcoholwithdrawalanddrug-associatedagitation,nauseaandvomiting,depression,andpanicattacks.Aretheredifferencesbetweenbenzodiazepines?Benzodiazepinesdifferinhowquicklytheystartworking,howlongtheycontinuetowork,andforwhattheyaremostcommonlyprescribed.Diazepam(Valium)andclorazepate(Tranxene)havefastonsetsofactionandusuallystartworkingwithin30to60minutes.Oxazepam(Serax)hasaslowonset,andlorazepam(Ativan),alprazolam(Xanax),andclonazepam(Klonopin)haveintermedi