3.4.2 Withdrawal symptoms and management.3.4.1 Tolerance, dependence and withdrawal.Benzodiazepines are commonly misused and taken in combination with other drugs of abuse. When combined with other central nervous system depressants such as alcohol and opiates, the potential for toxicity increases. However, they are much less toxic than their predecessors, the barbiturates, and death rarely results when a benzodiazepine is the only drug taken.

Benzodiazepines can be taken in overdoses and can cause dangerous deep unconsciousness. While they are not major teratogens, uncertainty remains as to whether they cause cleft palate in a small number of babies and whether neurobehavioural effects occur as a result of prenatal exposure they are known to cause withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. There is controversy concerning the safety of benzodiazepines in pregnancy. The elderly are at an increased risk of suffering from both short- and long-term adverse effects. Withdrawal from benzodiazepines generally leads to improved physical and mental health. Long-term use is controversial due to concerns about adverse psychological and physical effects, increased questioning of effectiveness and because benzodiazepines are prone to cause tolerance, physical dependence and upon cessation of use, a withdrawal syndrome. īenzodiazepines are generally safe and effective in the short term, although cognitive impairments and paradoxical effects such as aggression or behavioral disinhibition occasionally occur. Short- and intermediate-acting benzodiazepines are preferred for the treatment of insomnia longer-acting benzodiazepines are recommended for the treatment of anxiety. Benzodiazepines are categorized as either short-, intermediate- or long-acting. These properties make benzodiazepines useful in treating anxiety, insomnia, agitation, seizures, muscle spasms, alcohol withdrawal and as a premedication for medical or dental procedures. īenzodiazepines enhance the effect of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid, which results in sedative, hypnotic (sleep-inducing), anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant and amnesic action. The first benzodiazepine, chlordiazepoxide (Librium), was discovered accidentally by Leo Sternbach in 1955, and made available in 1960 by Hoffmann–La Roche, which has also marketed diazepam (Valium) since 1963.

A benzodiazepine ( Template:Pron-en, sometimes abbreviated to ' benzo') is a psychoactive drug whose core chemical structure is the fusion of a benzene ring and a diazepine ring.

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