Benzodiazepines

drugs in class (sedatives)

lorazepam (Ativan)

diazepam (Valium)

alprazolam (Xanax)

Clonazepam (Klonopin)
Clorazepate (Tranxene)

drugs in class (hypnotics)

temazepam (Restoril)
triazopam (Halcion)

properties/MOA

·       Relieve anxiety in higher doses, promote sleep in lower doses

·       Very safe (enhances GABA rather than mimicking)

→ limit to resp. depression

·       Rarely causes resp. depress.

·       Sedative-hypnotic

·       Anticonvulsant

·       Muscle relaxant

Anxiolytic

effects/adverse rxn

·       CNS depression (sedation)

·       Antegrade amnesia

·       Resp. depression

·       Abuse

Paradoxical effects

contraindications

·       Contraindicated w/breastfeeding and pregnancy

→ transfers to baby

Use in caution in clients w/resp. disease/problems

nursing info

·       Used for sedation, insomnia, and seizures

·       NO tolerance to sedative/hypnotic effect

·       Tolerance develops for anti-seizure effects

·       Physical dependence is uncommon

·       Only mild withdrawal syndrome

·       Take w/food

·       Give IV slowly (1-2 min)

·       ALWAYS know BP and O2 before giving any CNS depressant

·       BZD reversal agent:

→ flumazenil (Romazicon)

lorazepam (Ativan) is safest given IM, PO (kitten), more dangerous w/ IV (titer)