Benzodiazepine

In pharmacology, benzodiazepines are a class of medications that are "a group of two-ring heterocyclic compounds consisting of a benzene ring fused to a diazepine ring." All benzodiazepines affect specific benzodiazepine receptors and modulate gamma-aminobutyric acid. Specific benzodiazepines also affect other neurotransmitters (e.g., clonazepam and alprazolam affect serotonin). Receptor relationships are quite complex and are discussed further below.

Benzodiazepines are classifed as GABA modulators, sedatives, and anti-anxiety agents. Uses include the treatment of anxiety disorders and alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Some are used as anticonvulsants and to treat musculoskeletal spasticity.

Examples are:

• Alprazolam
• Benzodiazepinones
  • Anthramycin
  • Bromazepam
  • Clonazepam
  • Devazepide
  • Diazepam (Valium)
  • Flumazenil
  • Flunitrazepam
  • Flurazepam
  • Lorazepam
  • Nitrazepam
  • Oxazepam
  • Pirenzepine
  • Prazepam
  • Temazepam
• Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
• Clorazepate dipotassium
• Estazolam
• Medazepam
• Midazolam (Versed)
• Triazolam

Receptors

Part of the confusion in the receptors they affect come from the observation that what had previously been considered the GABA_A-benzodiazepine-Cl^- channel complex receptor has numerous sub-receptors, in five classes (α, β, γ, δ, ρ) with at least 16 subtypes. Benzodiazepine receptor type 1, for example, involves binding to α₁, β₂ and γ₂. The interactions among GABA, benzodiazepines, and some other classes of drugs are even more complex, in that binding to one receptor type affects other receptors. For example, certain bindings to benzodiazepine receptors will increase the rate of opening of the GABA_A receptor, potentiating the effect of both endogenous GABA and GABA released by direct GABA agonists such as baclofen.