WHAT ARE BENZODIAZEPINES? (Ativan®), oxazepam (Serax®), prazepam Benzodiazepines are depressants that produce (Centrax®), and quazepam (Doral®). Clonazepam sedation and hypnosis, relieve anxiety and muscle (Klonopin®), diazepam, and clorazepate are also spasms, and reduce seizures. used as anticonvulsants.
WHAT IS THEIR ORIGIN? How are they abused? Benzodiazepines are only legally available through Abuse is frequently associated with adolescents prescription. Many users maintain their drug supply and young adults who take the drug orally or crush by getting prescriptions from several doctors, it up and snort it to get high. forging prescriptions, or buying them illicitly. Abuse is particularly high among heroin and Alprazolam and clonazepam are the two most cocaine users. Additionally, opioid users often co- frequently encountered benzodiazepines on the abuse benzodiazepines to enhance euphoria. illicit market. What is their effect on the mind? What are common street names? Benzodiazepines are associated with amnesia, Common street names include Benzos and hostility, irritability, and vivid or disturbing dreams. Downers. What is their effect on the body? What do they look like? Benzodiazepines slow down the central nervous The most common benzodiazepines are the system and may cause sleepiness and relaxed prescription drugs Valium®, Xanax®, Halcion®, mood. Ativan®, and Klonopin®. Tolerance can develop, although at variable rates and to different degrees. What are their overdose effects? Shorter-acting benzodiazepines used to Effects of overdose include: manage insomnia include estazolam (ProSom®), • Extreme drowsiness, confusion, impaired coordination, flurazepam (Dalmane®), temazepam (Restoril®), decreased reflexes, respiratory depression, coma, and and triazolam (Halcion®). Midazolam (Versed®), possible death. Overdose effects of concomitant use of a short-acting benzodiazepine, is utilized for benzodiazepines and opioids include: Profound sedation, sedation, anxiety, and amnesia in critical care respiratory depression, coma, and death. settings and prior to anesthesia. It is available in the United States as an injectable preparation and Which drugs cause similar effects? as a syrup (primarily for pediatric patients). Drugs that cause similar effects include: Benzodiazepines with a longer duration of • Alcohol, barbiturates, sleeping pills, and GHB action are utilized to treat insomnia in patients with daytime anxiety. These benzodiazepines What is their legal status in the United States? include alprazolam (Xanax®), chlordiazepoxide Benzodiazepines are controlled in Schedule IV of (Librium®), clorazepate (Tranxene®), diazepam the Controlled Substances Act. (Valium®), halazepam (Paxipam®), lorzepam