Benzodiazepines (benzos) slow down the activity of the brain and central nervous system. Benzodiazepines (minor tranquillisers) are depressant or sedative drugs prescribed by doctors to relieve stress and anxiety, relax muscles or promote sleep and are sometimes used to treat epilepsy. They are medicines with calming, anxiolytic (anxiety relieving) and hypnotic (sleep inducing) properties and are usually prescribed in tablet or capsule form; Benzodiazepines come in a variety of shape
s and colours.
Examples include:
| Drug Name |
Brand Name |
Diazepam |
Valium®, Ducene®, Antenex®
|
Oxazepam
|
Serepax®, Murelax®, Alepam® |
Nitrazepam |
Mogadon®, Alodorm® |
Temazepam |
Euhypnos®, Normison®, Temaze® |
Flunitrazepam |
Hypnodorm® |
Bromazepam |
Lexotan® |