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.

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.

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

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

Alcohol, barbiturates, sleeping pills, and GHB