Drug info - The Benzodiazepine World

[pharmapsyche]

Benzodiazepines: Half-Life (hours)
Alprazolam (Xanax), 6-12
Bromazepam (Lexotan, Lexomil) 10-20
Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) 5-30
Clobazam (Frisium) 12-60
Clonazepam (Klonopin, Rivotril) 18-50
Clorazepate (Tranxene) 36-200
Diazepam (Valium) 20-100
Estazolam (ProSom) 10-24
Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) 18-26
Flurazepam (Dalmane) 40-250
Halazepam (Paxipam) 30-100
Ketazolam (Anxon) 15-30
Loprazolam (Dormonoct) 6-12
Lorazepam (Ativan) 10-20
Lormetazepam (Noctamid) 10-12
Medazepam (Nobrium) 36-200
Nitrazepam (Mogadon) 15-38
Nordazepam (Nordaz, Calmday) 36-200
Oxazepam (Serax, Serenid, Serepax) 4-15
Prazepam (Centrax) 36-200
Quazepam (Doral) 25-100
Temazepam (Restoril, Normison, Euhypnos) 8-22
Triazolam (Halcion) 2

Different Benzodiazepines are used for different reasons. Therapeutic Uses for benzodiazpines consit of:
Anxiolytic- which is relief of anxiety and is most commonly prescribed for Anxiety, Panic Disorderes, and Phobias.
Hypnotic- which is to promote sleep, and is most commonly prescribed for the treatment of Insomnia.
Myorelaxant- which is to help stop convulsions, and is most commonly prescribed for "fits" due to drug poisoning and some forms of epilepsy.
Amnesia- which is to impair short-term memory, and is most commonly prescribed during Premedications for operations and sedation before minor surgical procedures.

Benzodiazepines react with a booster site on GABA receptors. This action enhances the inhibitory effects of GABA, the ongoing nerve impulse may be completely blocked.

As a consequence of the enhancement of GABA's inhibitory activity caused by benzodiazepines, the brain's output of excitatory neurotransmitters, including norepinephrine, serotonin, acetyl choline and dopamine, is reduced. Such excitatory neurotransmitters are necessary for normal alertness, memory, muscle tone and co-ordination, emotional responses, heart rate and blood pressure control. These are the effects people are looking for when they use benzodiazpines at recreational doses.