Benzodiazepines (Systemic)

Category

• Amnestic - Diazepam (parenteral only); Lorazepam (parenteral only)
• Antianxiety agent - Alprazolam; Bromazepam; Chlordiazepoxide; Clorazepate; Diazepam; Halazepam; Ketazolam; Lorazepam; Oxazepam; Prazepam
• Anticonvulsant - Clobazam; Clonazepam; Clorazepate; Diazepam; Lorazepam (parenteral only); Nitrazepam
• Antiemetic, in cancer chemotherapy - Lorazepam (parenteral only)
• Antipanic agent - Alprazolam; Chlordiazepoxide (parenteral only); Clonazepam; Diazepam; Lorazepam
• Antitremor agent - Alprazolam; Chlordiazepoxide (oral only); Diazepam (oral only); Lorazepam (oral only)
• Sedative-hypnotic - Alprazolam; Bromazepam; Chlordiazepoxide; Clonazepam; Clorazepate; Diazepam; Estazolam; Flurazepam; Halazepam; Ketazolam; Lorazepam; Nitrazepam; Oxazepam; Prazepam; Quazepam; Temazepam; Triazolam
• Skeletal muscle relaxant adjunct - Diazepam; Lorazepam

Description

Benzodiazepines ((ben-zoe-dye-AZ-e-peens)) belong to the group of medicines called central nervous system (CNS) depressants (medicines that slow down the nervous system).

Some benzodiazepines are used to relieve anxiety. However, benzodiazepines should not be used to relieve nervousness or tension caused by the stress of everyday life.

Some benzodiazepines are used to treat insomnia (trouble in sleeping). However, if used regularly (for example, every day) for insomnia, they usually are not effective for more than a few weeks.

Many of the benzodiazepines are used in the treatment of other conditions, also. Diazepam is used to help relax muscles or relieve muscle spasm. Diazepam injection is used before some medical procedures to relieve anxiety and to reduce memory of the procedure. Chlordiazepoxide, clorazepate, diazepam, and oxazepam are used to treat the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Alprazolam and clonazepam are used in the treatment of panic disorder. Clobazam, clonazepam, clorazepate, diazepam, and lorazepam are used in the treatment of certain convulsive (seizure) disorders, such as epilepsy. The benzodiazepines may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Benzodiazepines may be habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence), especially when taken for a long time or in high doses.

These medicines are available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:

Oral
• Alprazolam
  • Oral solution (U.S.)
  • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
• Bromazepam
  • Tablets (Canada)
• Chlordiazepoxide
  • Capsules (U.S. and Canada)
• Clobazam
  • Tablets (Canada)
• Clonazepam
  • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
• Clorazepate
  • Capsules (Canada)
  • Tablets (U.S.)
  • Extended-release tablets (U.S.)
• Diazepam
  • Oral solution (U.S. and Canada)
  • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
• Estazolam
  • Tablets (U.S.)
• Flurazepam
  • Capsules (U.S. and Canada)
  • Tablets (Canada)
• Halazepam
  • Tablets (U.S.)
• Lorazepam
  • Oral concentrate (U.S.)
  • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
  • Sublingual tablets (Canada)
• Nitrazepam
  • Tablets (Canada)
• Oxazepam
  • Capsules (U.S.)
  • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
• Quazepam
  • Tablets (U.S.)
• Temazepam
  • Capsules (U.S. and Canada)
• Triazolam
  • Tablets (U.S. and Canada)

Parenteral
• Chlordiazepoxide
  • Injection (U.S.)
• Diazepam
  • Injection (U.S. and Canada)
• Lorazepam
  • Injection (U.S. and Canada)

Rectal
• Diazepam
  • For rectal solution (may be prepared in U.S. and Canada from diazepam injection)
  • Rectal gel (U.S.)

Brand Names

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S. -

• Alprazolam Intensol ¹
• Ativan ¹²
• Dalmane ⁹
• Diastat ⁷
• Diazepam Intensol ⁷
• Dizac ⁷
• Doral ¹⁶
• Halcion ¹⁸
• Klonopin ⁵
• Librium ³
• Lorazepam Intensol ¹²
• Paxipam ¹⁰
• ProSom ⁸
• Restoril ¹⁷
• Serax ¹⁴
• Tranxene-SD ⁶
• Tranxene-SD Half Strength ⁶
• Tranxene T-Tab ⁶
• Valium ⁷
• Xanax ¹

In Canada -

• Alti-Alprazolam ¹
• Alti-Bromazepam ²
• Alti-Clonazepam ⁵
• Alti-Triazolam ¹⁸
• Apo-Alpraz ¹
• Apo-Chlordiazepoxide ³
• Apo-Clonazepam ⁵
• Apo-Clorazepate ⁶
• Apo-Diazepam ⁷
• Apo-Flurazepam ⁹
• Apo-Lorazepam ¹²
• Apo-Oxazepam ¹⁴
• Apo-Temazepam ¹⁷
• Apo-Triazo ¹⁸
• Ativan ¹²
• Clonapam ⁵
• Dalmane ⁹
• Diazemuls ⁷
• Frisium ⁴
• Gen-Alprazolam ¹
• Gen-Bromazepam ²
• Gen-Clonazepam ⁵
• Gen-Triazolam ¹⁸
• Halcion ¹⁸
• Lectopam ²
• Mogadon ¹³
• Novo-Alprazol ¹
• Novo-Clopate ⁶
• Novo-Dipam ⁷
• Novo-Flupam ⁹
• Novo-Lorazem ¹²
• Novo-Poxide ³
• Novo-Temazepam ¹⁷
• Novo-Triolam ¹⁸
• Novoxapam ¹⁴
• Nu-Alpraz ¹
• Nu-Loraz ¹²
• PMS-Clonazepam ⁵
• PMS-Diazepam ⁷
• Restoril ¹⁷
• Rivotril ⁵
• Serax ¹⁴
• Somnol ⁹
• Tranxene ⁶
• Valium ⁷
• Vivol ⁷
• Xanax ¹
• Xanax TS ¹