Benzodiazepines: What You Need To Know

Benzodiazepines or Benzos are a class of psychoactive drugs with a benzene and a diazipine ring, which mediates its effect on the central nervous system. As a class, benzodiazepines are similar in how they work in the brain but have different potencies, duration of actions, and receptor site affinities. Benzodiazipines are primarily used for treating anxiety and they are also in the family of drugs commonly known as minor tranquilizers.

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.

Mechanism of action

Molecular Structure Of Benzodiazepine

Benzodiazepines works by increasing the efficiency of a natural brain chemical, GABA, with the purpose of decreasing the excitability of neurons. Thereby, reducing the communication between neurons and, therefore, has a calming effect on many of the functions of the brain. Benzodiazepines enhance responses to the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA by opening GABA-activated chloride channels and allowing chloride ions to enter the neuron. This risult to the neuron becoming negatively charged and resistant to excitation, which therefore leads to the various anti-anxiety, sedative, or anti-seizure activity displayed by the drug. The a2 sub unit of GABA-A appears to be responsible for the anti-anxiety effects of benzodiazepines; other subunits modulate the amnesic and sedative properties of benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines that target specific sub units of the GABA receptors have more selective pharmacologic actions. Benzodiazepines receptors are present in immune cells and gastrointestinal tract in human.

Medical Uses

• Anxiety: Benzodiazepines are often used in the treatment of acute anxiety.

• Alcohol withdrawal: a type of benzodiazepine drug called Chlordiazepoxide is for alcohol detoxification.

• Insomnia: it can be used for the short term treatment of insomnia.

• Seizures: Benzodiazepine are potent anticonvulsant drugs, and are used in the treatment of prolong convulsive epileptic seizures.

• Panic attacks: Because of their fast-acting anti-anxiety effects, benzodiazepines are very effective at treating anxiety associated with panic disorder.

Types of Benzodiazepine Drugs

There are numerous benzodiazepine drugs, and the differ in the kind of ailment they are used for, the duration of their absorption and their potency. And they includes:

• Tranxene: Tranxene is a hypnotic, sedative drug used to treat severe insomnia and anxiety disorders.

• Estazolam: It’s a sedative and anxiety-reducing drug used for the treatment of short-term insomnia.

• Chlordiazepoxide, or Librium: Chlordiazepoxide is used for the management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

• Alprazolam, or Xanax: It’s used for the treatment of panic and anxiety disorders.

• Flurazepam, or Dalmane: Flurazepam is a sedative, anxiety-reducing drug used to treat mild-to-moderate insomnia.

• Triazolam, or Apo-Triazo, Halcion, Hypam, and Trilam: This is only used as a sedative to treat severe insomnia.

•  Oxazepam: This is used to treat anxiety and insomnia. It can also control the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.

• Temazepam, or Restoril: Temazepam is approved for the short-term treatment of insomnia.

•  Midazolam (Versed), lorazepam (Ativan), and diazepam (Valium) are used in anesthesia.

Adverse effects

The most common side-effects of benzodiazepines are related to their sedating and muscle-relaxing action. The side effects includes;

·       Decreased libido and erection problems are a common side effect

• Sedation,
• Decreased alertness and concentration
• Dizziness,
• Weakness,
• Unsteadiness.
• Transient drowsiness commonly experienced during the first few days of treatment,
• A feeling of depression,
• Loss of orientation,
• Headache,
• Sleep disturbance,
• Confusion,
• Irritability,
• Hypotension and suppressed breathing (hypoventilation) may be encountered with intravenous use
• Aggression,
• Excitement, and
• Memory impairment.
• Death

Conclusion

Benzodiazepine are class of drugs that mediates its effect on the CNS. It is used for the treatment of ailment such as anxiety, insomnia, seizure, and can help in alcohol withdrawal. The abuse of this drug can pose serious health issues, therefore must be taken by a doctor’s prescription.