Healthopedia.com - Your Health Encyclopedia

Set Homepage Email Page Favorites      

 
  Home
  Health Centers
  Medical Encyclopedia
  Drugs & Medications
  Diseases & Conditions 
  Medical Symptoms
  Medical Tests & Exams
  Surgery & Procedures 
  Injuries & Wounds
  Diet & Nutrition
  Special Topics
  Pictures & Images      

Special Offers

Google
 
Web Healthopedia.com

You are here : Healthopedia.com > Drugs & Medications > Detailed Drug Information (USP DI) > Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines (Systemic)

Description and Brand Names | Before Using | Proper Use | Precautions | Side Effects | Additional Information


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

Note:

For quick reference, the following benzodiazepines are numbered to match the corresponding brand names.
This information applies to the following medicines:
1. Alprazolam (al-PRAZ-oh-lam)‡§
2. Bromazepam (broe-MA-ze-pam)*
3. Chlordiazepoxide (klor-dye-az-e-POX-ide)‡
4. Clobazam (KLOE-ba-zam)*
5. Clonazepam (kloe-NA-ze-pam)‡
6. Clorazepate (klor-AZ-e-pate)‡
7. Diazepam (dye-AZ-e-pam)‡
8. Estazolam (ess-TA-zoe-lam)†‡
9. Flurazepam (flure-AZ-e-pam)‡
10. Halazepam (hal-AZ-e-pam)†
11. Ketazolam (kee-TAY-zoe-lam)*†
12. Lorazepam (lor-AZ-e-pam)‡
13. Nitrazepam (nye-TRA-ze-pam)*
14. Oxazepam (ox-AZ-e-pam)‡
15. Prazepam (PRAZ-e-pam)*†
16. Quazepam (KWA-ze-pam)†
17. Temazepam (tem-AZ-e-pam)‡
18. Triazolam (trye-AY-zoe-lam)‡§
* Not commercially available in the U.S.
† Not commercially available in Canada
‡ Generic name product may be available in the U.S.
§ Generic name product may be available in Canada

   

Next section

   

Benzodiazepines: Before Using

Date Revised: 04/05/2001






Content provided by Thomson MICROMEDEX
Micromedex, Inc. Disclaimer
Copyright © 2006 Thomson MICROMEDEX. All rights reserved. USP DI® and Advice for the Patient® are registered trademarks of USP used under license to Micromedex, a business of Thomson Healthcare Inc. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

Copyright © 2006 Healthopedia.com All Rights reserved.
About Us | Help/FAQ | Privacy Policy | Editorial Policy | Advertising Policy | Accessibility | Terms of Use
Contact Us | Link to Us

HONcode accreditation seal.

We comply with the HONcode standard for health trust worthy information: verify here.


The information provided herein is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. The information should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call your local emergency number for all medical emergencies. Use of this online service is subject to the disclaimer and the terms and conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.
Page Last Updated: 30th May, 2006