Benzodiazepines are medicines that help relieve nervousness, tension, and
other symptoms by slowing the central nervous system.
Purpose
Benzodiazepines are a type of Anti-anxiety Drugs. While anxiety is a normal
response to stressful situations, some people have unusually high levels of
anxiety that can interfere with everyday life. For these people,
Benzodiazepines can help bring their feelings under control. The medicine
can also relieve troubling symptoms of anxiety, such as pounding heartbeat,
breathing problems, irritability, nausea, and faintness.
Physicians may sometimes prescribe these drugs for other conditions, such
as muscle spasms, epilepsy and other seizure disorders, phobias, panic
disorder, withdrawal from alcohol, and sleeping problems. However, this
medicine should not be used every day for sleep problems that last more than
a few days. If used this way, the drug loses its effectiveness within a few
weeks.
Benzodiazepines should not be used to relieve the nervousness and tension
of normal everyday life.
Description
The family of Anti-anxiety Drugs known as Benzodiazepines includes
Alprazolam (Xanax), Chlordiazepoxide (Librium), Diazepam (Valium), and
Lorazepam (Ativan). These medicines take effect fairly quickly, starting to
work within an hour after they are taken. Benzodiazepines are available only
with a physician's prescription and are available in tablet, capsule,
liquid, or injectable forms.