Benzodiazepines

What are the indications for benzodiazepines?

-Anxiety

-Alcohol withdrawal

-Status epilepticus (continuous seizures)

What do benzodiazepines do?

-Reduce anxiety

-Promote sedation

-Boosts GABA

What are the side effects of benzodiazepines?

-Sedation

-Possible respiratory depression

-Fatal withdrawal risk (must be tapered off slowly)

Interactions with benzodiazepines?

-Other CNS depressants can create excessive sedation

Alprazolam

Xanax

Benzodiazepine

Clonazepam

Klonopin

Benzodiazepine

Diazepam

Valium

Benzodiazepine

Chlordiazepoxide

Librium

Benzodiazepine

Midazolam

Versed

Benzodiazepine

Lorazepam

Ativan

Benzodiazepine

Buspirone

Buspar

Non-benzodiazepine anxiety drug

Things to know about Buspirone?

-Not a benzodiazepine

-No risk of sedation or abuse

-VERY slow onset

-Serotonin syndrome risk when taken with other serotonergic meds