Overview: Benzodiazepines are depressants that produce sedation, induce sleep, relieve anxiety
and muscle spasms, and prevent seizures

Street names Benzos, Downers

Looks like The most common benzodiazepines are the prescription drugs Valium®, Xanax® Halcion®, Ativan® ,and Klonopin®.Tolerance can develop, although at variable rates and to different degrees. Shorter-acting benzodiazepines used to manage insomnia include estazolam (ProSom®), flurazepam(Dalmane® ),temazepam (Restoril®), and triazolam (Halcion®). Midazolam (Versed®), a short-acting benzodiazepine, is utilized for sedation, anxiety, and amnesia in critical care settings and prior to anesthesia. It is available in the United States as an injectable preparation and as a syrup (primarily for pediatric patients). Benzodiazepines with a longer duration of action are utilized to treat insomnia in patients with daytime anxiety. These benzodiazepines include alprazolam (Xanax®), chlordiazepoxide(Librium®), clorazepate (Tranxene®), diazepam (Valium®), halazepam (Paxipam®), lorzepam (Ativan®), oxazepam (Serax®), prazepam (Centrax®), and quazepam (Doral®).Clonazepam (Klonopin®),diazepam, and clorazepate are also used as
anticonvulsants

Methods of abuse Abuse is frequently associated with adolescents and young adults who take the
drug orally or crush it up and snort it to get high. Abuse is particularly high among heroin and
cocaine abusers

Effect on mind Benzodiazepines are associated with amnesia, hostility, irritability, and vivid or
disturbing dreams.

Effect on body Benzodiazepines slow down the central nervous system and may cause sleepiness.

Drugs causing similar effects Alcohol, barbiturates, sleeping pills, and GHB

Overdose effects Effects of overdose include shallow respiration, clammy skin, dilated pupils, weak and rapid pulse, coma, and possible death.

Common places of origin Benzodiazepines are only legally available through prescription. Many
abusers maintain their drug supply by getting prescriptions from several doctors, forging
prescriptions, or buying them illicitly. Alprazolam and diazepam are the two most frequently
encountered benzodiazepines on the illicit market.