Surely, you have heard of benzodiazepines, but perhaps you are not clear about what they are and what they are used for. These are a type of psychotropic drugs, that is, they act on the central nervous system and have anxiolytic, sedative, anticonvulsant (for seizures or epileptic attacks), hypnotic (to induce sleep), amnesic (memory problems) and muscle relaxant effects. (muscle relaxation).
It is quite common for them to be prescribed and therefore it is important that we know the classification of benzodiazepines and the different types that exist, a basic list of the most common benzodiazepines and the main effects they can have, primary and secondary.
Keep reading this Psychology-Online article to discover the types of benzodiazepines, their classification and their effects with examples of brands and trade names.
Classification of benzodiazepines with examples
The most common classification of benzodiazepines is based on their half-life, that is, based on the time they are taking effect. In this way, we would have four main groups:
- Long-acting benzodiazepines. Its effect remains between 40 and 200 hours. Some of those found in this group are the diazepam and the flurazepam.
- Benzodiazepines of intermediate action or life. Its effect lasts 20 to 40 hours depending on the person and the dose. Some examples are the clonazepam, flunitrazepam and bromazepam.
- Short-acting or short-lived benzodiazepines. In this case, the effect goes from 5 to 20 hours. He lorazepam, temazepam and the oxazepam These are some of the benzodiapecines that would be in this group.
- Very short-acting or short-lived benzodiazepines. Its half-life is less than 5 hours, between 1 and 1.5 hours duration. He triazolam and the midazolam would be found in this group.
List of the most common benzodiazepines and their brands
In the previous section we have seen the classification of the types of benzodiazepines according to their half-life. Next, in this list of benzodiazepines with examples, we will relate the most common brands to the main types of benzodiazepines so that you can get an idea of what half-life the one you are taking might have.
Let’s look at 10 examples of benzodiazepines with their names and trademarks.
- Diazepam. It can be found by: Valium, Pax, Apzepam, Stesolid, Vival, Apozepam, Hexalid, Stedon and Valaxone are some examples of brands and are used as anxiolytics, antiepileptics and muscle relaxants. Here you can see more information about it.
- Flurazepam. Examples: Dalmadorm, Dalmane and Fluralema, with a hypnotic effect.
- Clonazepam. Valpax, Klonopin, Neuryl, Rivotril, Ravotril, Iktorivil, Zatryx, Clonzep, Clonac and Clonatril to obtain an anxiolytic and antiepileptic effect. In this article you will find more information about .
- Flunitrazepam. It has the following names: Rohypnol, Fluscand, Flunipam and Ronal. They have a hypnotic effect.
- Lorazepam. Like, for example, Dormonoct, with a hypnotic effect.
- Temazepam. Restoril, Normison, Euhypnos and Tenox with a hypnotic and antiepileptic effect.
- Oxazepam. Seresta, Serax, Serenid, Serepax, Sobril, Oxascand, Alopam, Oxabenz and Oxapax to obtain an anxiolytic effect.
- Triazolam. This example of a benzodiazepine is marketed under the names: Halcion, Rilamir, Notison with a hypnotic function.
- Bromazepam. This type of benzodiazepine is known by the common name.
- Midazolam. Examples of this type of benzodiazepines: Dormicum, Versed, Hypnovel, Dormonid to obtain a hypnotic and antiepileptic effect.
Effects of benzodiazepines
Primary effects
What is the mechanism of action of benzodiazepines? As we have mentioned, they are drugs that reduce anxiety levels, produce muscle relaxation, facilitate sleep, reduce seizures, among other effects. Therefore, some of the problems for which they are used are:
- Control of panic states
- Anxiety reduction
- Insomnia
- Withdrawal syndromes
- Epilepsy and epileptic seizures
- Muscle pain
- Muscle relaxant
Side effects
These types of medications are quite commonly used, however, many times their intake would not be necessary and in many cases this excess medication is due to not taking into account the side effects which include:
- Dependence: The continued consumption of anxiolytics has an addictive effect.
- Tolerance: means that, after a while, the dose you initially took will not work for you, so you have to increase it, successively.
- Dizziness, balance problems: By depressing the nervous system so much, a common side effect is dizziness or loss of balance.
- Drowsiness: It is quite common for people who take anxiolytics to fall asleep during the day and be very sleepy despite having had a good rest.
- Blurry vision.
- Dry mouth.
- Constipation problems since it slows down the digestive system.
- Memory problems with prolonged use. This also increases since they can cause concentration problems. In this article we talk about the.
Paradoxical reactions
In some cases, the opposite effects to those sought have been produced, thus increasing anxiety, melancholy, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, psychosis, among others.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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Bibliography
- Uhlenhuth, EH, Balter, MB, Ban, TA, & Yang, K. (1999). International study of expert judgment on therapeutic use of benzodiazepines and other psychotherapeutic medications: IV. Therapeutic dose dependence and abuse liability of benzodiazepines in the long-term treatment of anxiety disorders. Journal of clinical psychopharmacology19(6), 23S-29S.
- Stevens, J.C., & Pollack, M.H. (2005). Benzodiazepines in clinical practice: consideration of their long-term use and alternative agents. The Journal of clinical psychiatry.
- Summers, RS, Schutte, ADENE, & Summers, BEVERLEY (1990). Benzodiazepine use in a small community hospital. Appropriate prescribing or not? South African medical journal= Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde78(12), 721.