How does diazepam work chemically?
Diazepam is a benzodiazepine tranquilliser with anticonvulsant, sedative, muscle relaxant and amnesic properties 9,10,6. Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam, bind to receptors in various regions of the brain and spinal cord. This binding increases the inhibitory effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) 9,10,6.
Table of Contents
What are the 3 types of benzos?
There are three types of benzodiazepines: long, intermediate and short-acting. Short-acting benzodiazepines have stronger withdrawal or ‘come down’ effects and can be more addictive than long-acting ones.

What are drugs chemistry?
By definition, drugs are chemical substances that affect or alter the physiology when taken into a living system. They can either be natural or synthetic. Chemically, they are low atomic mass and molecular mass structures.
What are benzodiazepines made of?
Benzodiazepines (BZD, BDZ, BZs), sometimes called “benzos” or “blues”, are a class of psychoactive drugs whose core chemical structure is the fusion of a benzene ring and a diazepine ring.

What is the chemical name of diazepam?
Diazepam (CAS 439-14-5) is one of the best known benzodiazepines (Valium). According to IUPAC, the fully systematic name is 9-chloro-2-methyl-6-phenyl-2,5-diazabicyclo[5.4.
How does diazepam absorbed in the body?
Diazepam is rapidly absorbed following oral administration. It is slowly and incompletely absorbed after intramuscular administration. It is highly lipid soluble and widely distributed throughout the body. Diazepam readily crosses the blood–brain barrier and is highly protein bound.
What is the strongest benzodiazepine?
Clonazepam, the most potent benzodiazepine, is used to treat seizures and anxiety disorders. Xanax can be considered the most potent benzodiazepine to treat anxiety. Alprazolam is one of the strongest short-acting benzodiazepines and is often prescribed by doctors because its half-life is shorter than 26 hours.
What is the longest acting benzodiazepine?
Comparing benzodiazepines mainly used for anxiety
Long-acting drugs | ||
---|---|---|
Generic name | Trade names | Half-life |
alprazolam | Xanax | 12 to 15 hours |
lorazepam | Ativan | 10 to 20 hours |
oxazepam | none | 6 to 20 hours |
What are 4 types of drugs?
7 Drug Categories
- (1) Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants. CNS depressants slow down the operations of the brain and the body.
- (2) CNS Stimulants.
- (3) Hallucinogens.
- (4) Dissociative Anesthetics.
- (5) Narcotic Analgesics.
- (6) Inhalants.
- (7) Cannabis.
What are the 7 types of drugs?
The Seven Primary Types Of Drugs
- Drug Type No. 1 — Opioids/Opiates.
- Drug Type No. 2 — Stimulants.
- Drug Type No. 3 — Depressants.
- Drug Type No. 4 — Dissociatives.
- Drug Type No. 5 — Hallucinogens.
- Drug Type No. 6 — Anabolic Steroids.
- Drug Type No. 7 — Inhalants.
- Help Is Available for Your Drug Addiction.
Are there natural benzodiazepines?
Naturally occurring benzodiazepines (BZDs) were first detected in mammalian tissues in 1986. They comprise a variety of 1,4-benzodiazepines corresponding to drugs commercially available for the treatment of anxiety disorders, sleep disturbances and epileptic seizures.
What class of drug is diazepam?
Benzodiazepines are a group of depressant drugs.
What is the chemical name of lorazepam?
Lorazepam | C15H10Cl2N2O2 – PubChem.
Does diazepam increase GABA?
Here we show that the benzodiazepine diazepam can also increase the conductance of GABAA channels activated by low concentrations of GABA (0.5 or 5 microM) in rat cultured hippocampal neurons. Before exposure to diazepam, chloride channels activated by GABA had conductances of 8 to 53pS.
What neurotransmitter is affected by diazepam?
Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam (Valium) and clonazepam (Rivotril) are anxiolytics that can also have hypnotic or amnesia-inducing effects. Like alcohol, these drugs increase the efficiency of synaptic transmission of the neurotransmitter GABA by acting on its receptors.
What is the longest lasting benzodiazepine?
Klonopin. Klonopin is one of the longest acting of all Benzos. This means that it takes longer to fully effect the patient, but it also means that it can be more powerful when abused. Klonopin has an extremely high potential for abuse and addiction, and the addiction can be very severe.
What is the most sedating Benzo?
Alprazolam, oxazepam and diazepam appeared least sedative, while triazolam and lorazepam were most sedative.
What is the most addictive benzodiazepine?
All benzodiazepines have a great risk of tolerance, dependence, and addiction, but Klonopin is among the most addictive. This anti-anxiety medication has two components that make it a prime target for people struggling with drug addiction: a rapid onset of action and a long half-life.
Which is the strongest benzodiazepine?
What are the 7 major drug categories?
What are the 6 classification of drugs?
The 6 Classifications of Drugs. When considering only their chemical makeup, there are six main classifications of drugs: alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, cannabinoids, barbiturates, and hallucinogens.
What are the 3 main drugs?
Drug categories
- depressants – slow down the function of the central nervous system.
- hallucinogens – affect your senses and change the way you see, hear, taste, smell or feel things.
- stimulants – speed up the function of the central nervous system.
What are the 5 main drugs?
Here are the five main categories and some information about each:
- Central nervous system depressants.
- Central nervous system stimulants.
- Opiates and Opiodes.
- Hallucinogens.
- Marijuana.
Is there a non addictive benzodiazepine?
Article at a Glance:
SSRIs, SNRIs, buspirone, beta-blockers, pregabalin, gabapentin, hydroxyzine, PanX and diphenhydramine are all options for anxiety that are alternatives to addictive benzodiazepines.
What is the natural version of Xanax?
Magnesium is another great natural alternative to Xanax. Magnesium occurs naturally in many food sources, including avocados, nuts, dark chocolate, legumes, whole grains, tofu, and some fatty fish. Magnesium helps you relax by increasing GABA. GABA is an amino acid that works with the neurotransmitters in your brain.