|
|
 |
 |
Miscellaneous
Benzodiazepines | |
| |
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
| Synonyms for
Benzodiazepines in General: Sleeping Pills,
Tranquilizers |
|
| Street Names for
Benzodiazepines in General: Downers, Nerve Pills,
Tranks |
|
| Drug Classes, Trade
Names, and Street Names for Individual Benzodiazepines:
See table below. |
|
| Description: The benzodiazepines are central
nervous system (CNS) depressants commonly prescribed for the
short-term treatment of anxiety and insomnia. Chlordiazepoxide
(Librium) was the first benzodiazepine produced. Diazepam
(Valium) was the next to be developed and until the early 1980s
this was the most widely prescribed tranquillizer in the world.
Today, newer benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax) and
lorazepam (Ativan) account for most tranquillizer
prescriptions. |
|
| The widespread
availability of benzodiazepines has made them common as drugs of
abuse. Long-term users typically develop a tolerance to the drugs,
requiring larger doses to achieve the desired effects. A
psychological and/or physical dependence can develop, making it
difficult to discontinue use. Some drug abusers take benzodiazepines
to bring them down after using stimulants such as ecstasy or
cocaine. Others take them to enhance the effects of alcohol. They
are also commonly used as replacement drugs when a users drug of
first choice is not available. During the early 1990s, Rohypnol
(flunitrazepam) became notorious as the date rape drug.
Rohypnol is 7 to 10 times more potent than valium and initial
effects appear within 15 to 30 minutes of consumption. These factors
are responsible for Rohyphnols use as a date rape drug. Though
never legal in the United States, Rohypnol became readily available
in the black market from sources in Mexico, Latin America, and
Europe. In 1996, the U.S. Treasury Department banned all Rohypnol
prescriptions from entering the country. Since then, Rohypnol use in
the United States has declined. |
|
| Excretion:
Excretion patterns differ greatly among the benzodiazepines. |
|
| Note: Below list is not all-inclusive.
Some trade names may no longer be in production. |
|
Benzodiazepine
Examples |
Drug Class |
Trade Names |
Street Names |
| Alprazolam |
Antipanic Agent, Antitremor
Agent, Anxiolytic,
CNS
Depressant,
Sedative-hypnotic |
Alprazolam
Intensol,
Alti-Alprazolam,
Apo-Alpraz,
Gen-Alprazolam,
Novo-Alprazol,
Nu-Alpraz,
Xanax |
Xanies |
| Bromazepam |
Anxiolytic,
CNS
Depressant,
Sedative-hypnotic |
Alti-Bromazepam,
Gen-Bromazepam |
|
| Chlordiazepoxide |
Antipanic Agent, Antitremor
Agent, Anxiolytic,
CNS
Depressant,
Sedative-hypnotic |
Apo-Chlordiazepoxide,
Lectopam, Librium,
Lipoxide,
Novo-Poxide |
|
| Clobazam |
Anticonvulsant,
CNS
Depressant |
Frisium |
|
| Clonazepam |
Antipanic Agent, CNS
Depressant,
Sedative-hypnotic |
Alti-Clonazepam,
Apo-Clonazepam,
Clonapam,
Klonopin,
PMS-Clonazepam, Rivotril |
|
| Clorazepate |
Anticonvulsant,
Anxiolytic,
CNS
Depressant,
Sedative-hypnotic |
Tranxene-SD, Tranxene
T-Tab |
|
| Delorazepam |
Anxiolytic,
CNS
Depressant |
|
|
| Diazepam |
Amnestic,
Anticonvulsant,
Antipanic
Agent, Antitremor
Agent, Anxiolytic,
CNS
Depressant,
Sedative-hypnotic |
Apo-Diazepam, Diastat,
Diazemuls, Diazepam
Intensol,
Dizac,
Novo-Dipam,
PMS-Diazepam,
Valium, Vivol |
Vals |
| Estazolam |
CNS
Depressant,
Sedative-hypnotic |
ProSom |
|
| Flunitrazepam |
CNS
Depressant,
Sedative-hypnotic |
Rohypnol |
Date Rape Drug,
Mexican Valium,
Roofies,
Ruphies |
| Flurazepam |
CNS
Depressant,
Sedative-hypnotic |
Apo-Flurazepam,
Dalmane, Novo-Flupam,
Somnol |
|
| Lorazepam |
Amnestic,
Anticonvulsant,
Antiemetic,
Antipanic Agent,
Antitremor Agent, Anxiolytic,
CNS
Depressant,
Sedative-hypnotic |
Ativan, Apo-Lorazepam,
Lorazepam
Intensol,
Novo-Lorazem, Nu-Loraz |
|
| Lormetazepam |
CNS
Depressant,
Sedative-hypnotic |
|
|
| Medazepam |
Anxiolytic,
CNS
Depressant |
|
|
| Nitrazepam |
Anticonvulsant,
CNS
Depressant,
Sedative-hypnotic |
Mogadon |
|
| Nordiazepam |
Anxiolytic,
CNS
Depressant |
|
|
| Oxazepam |
Anxiolytic,
CNS
Depressant,
Sedative-hypnotic |
Apo-Oxazepam,
Novoxapam, Serax |
|
| Prazepam |
Anxiolytic,
CNS
Depressant,
Sedative-hypnotic |
Centrax |
|
| Temazepam |
CNS
Depressant,
Sedative-hypnotic |
Apo-Temazepam,
Novo-Temazepam,
Restoril |
|
| Triazolam |
CNS
Depressant,
Sedative-hypnotic |
Alti-Triazolam, Apo-Triazo,
Gen-Triazolam,
Halcion,
Novo-Triolam |
|
|
