Benzodiazepines - Overview

General Information

• Benzodiazepines affect the central nervous system through benzodiazepine receptors.
• FDA-approved benzodiazepines include alprazolam, clobazam, chlordiazepoxide, among others.
• These medications are significant for managing seizure activity and account for 1% to 2% of U.S. emergency department visits annually.
• Indications for benzodiazepines include:
  • Insomnia
  • Acute status epilepticus
  • Induction of amnesia
  • Agitation and anxiety
  • Spastic disorders
  • Seizure disorders

Authors and Affiliations

• Authors: Connor G. Bounds, Preeti Patel
• Affiliation: Gridley Emergency Medical Services
• Publication: StatPearls [Internet], Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 2025 Jan.

Book Details

• PMID: 29261973
• Bookshelf ID: NBK470159

Conflict of Interest

• Connor G. Bounds and Preeti Patel disclosed no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Sections in the Book

• Continuing Education Activity
• Indications
• Mechanism of Action
• Administration
• Adverse Effects
• Contraindications
• Monitoring
• Toxicity
• Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes
• Review Questions
• References

References and Related Studies

1. Maust DT et al. on sleep product use among older adults in the U.S. (Am J Geriatr Psychiatry, 2019).
2. Blanco C et al. on prevalence of benzodiazepine use in the U.S. (J Clin Psychiatry, 2018).
3. Garakani A et al. on pharmacotherapy for anxiety disorders (Front Psychiatry, 2020).
4. March KL et al. comparing lorazepam vs. chlordiazepoxide for alcohol withdrawal (Alcohol, 2019).
5. Isojarvi J et al. on optimizing clobazam treatment for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (Epilepsy Behav, 2018).

Additional Information

• Full text and resources available on NCBI Bookshelf.