A class of medications with a similar chemical ring structure and similar therapeutic properties, including potent hypnotic, sedative, and anxiolytic effects. Benzodiazepines are also called anxiolytics or antianxiety medications.
The generic name for a group of drugs that have potent hypnotic and sedative action.
A drug that acts on the brain signal receptor (also called benzodiazepine) to increase the brain’s calming (GABA) neurotransmitter to produce antianxiety and sedative effects.
An antianxiety drug used in medical practice to treat anxiety and various neurotic conditions.
A drug which acts on receptors in the central nervous system to relieve symptoms of anxiety and insomnia, although prolonged use is to be avoided.
Class of psychoactive drugs; included are the tranquilizers diazepam (Valium) and chlordiazepoxide (Librium) and the sedative hypnotic flurazepam (Dalmane). Tolerance and dependence can occur with prolonged use of benzodiazepines.
Synthetically produced sedative-hypnotic drugs. Benzodiazepines have replaced barbiturates as the treatment of choice for anxiety and convulsive disorders and for sedation, because they cause less drowsiness and are less likely to be fatal if taken alone in an accidental overdose.
A group of pharmacologically active compounds used as minor tranquilizers and hypnotics. The group includes chlordiazepoxide, diazepam, and oxazepam.
A large family of drugs used as hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquillisers, anticonvulsants, in premedication before anaesthesia, and for intravenous sedation, usually before performing an uncomfortable procedure such as endoscopy. Short-acting varieties are used as hypnotics; longer-acting ones as hypnotics and tranquillisers. Those with high lipid solubility act rapidly if given intravenously. For example, diazepam is used as a first line treatment to stop an epileptic fit.
Any of a group of chemically similar psychotropic drugs with potent hypnotic and sedative action; used predominantly as antianxiety and sleep-inducing drugs. Side effects of these drugs may include impairment of psychomotor performance; amnesia; euphoria; dependence; and rebound (i.e., the return of symptoms) transiently worse than before treatment, upon discontinuation of the drug.
A category of medications possessing soporific and calming effects, primarily employed as tranquilizers to manage symptoms associated with anxiety.