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Benzodiazepines Information

Benzodiazepine Pills Rohypnol
Miscellaneous Barbiturates Rohypnol
(Date Rape Drug)

Benzodiazepines

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  • Synonyms for Benzodiazepines in General: 
    Sleeping Pills; Tranquilizers
  • Street Names for Benzodiazepines in General: 
    Downers; Nerve Pills; Tranks
  • Synonyms, Drug Classes, Trade Names, and Street Names for Individual Benzodiazepines: 
    See table below.
  • Description: 
    The benzodiazepines are central nervous system (CNS) depressantsCentral Nervous System (CNS) Depressant:  An agent that diminishes brain and/or spinal cord function or activity. commonly prescribed for the short-term treatment of anxiety and insomnia. Chlordiazepoxide (Librium) was the first benzodiazepine produced. Diazepam (Valium) was the next to be developed and until the early 1980's this was the most widely prescribed tranquillizer in the world. Today, newer benzodiazepines such as alprazolam (Xanax) and lorazepam (Ativan) account for most tranquillizer prescriptions.
    The widespread availability of benzodiazepines has made them common as drugs of abuse. Long-term users typically develop a tolerance to the drugs, requiring larger doses to achieve the desired effects. A psychological and/or physical dependence can develop, making it difficult to discontinue use. Some drug abusers take benzodiazepines to bring them down after using stimulants such as ecstasy or cocaine. Others take them to enhance the effects of alcohol. They are also commonly used as replacement drugs when a user's drug of first choice is not available. During the early 1990's, Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) became notorious as the date rape drug. Rohypnol is 7 to 10 times more potent than valium and initial effects appear within 15 to 30 minutes of consumption. These factors are responsible for Rohyphnol's use as a date rape drug. Though never legal in the United States, Rohypnol became readily available in the black market from sources in Mexico, Latin America, and Europe. In 1996, the U.S. Treasury Department banned all Rohypnol prescriptions from entering the country. Since then, Rohypnol use in the United States has declined.
  • Excretion: 
    Excretion patterns differ greatly among the benzodiazepines.

Note: Below list is not all-inclusive. Some trade names may no longer be in production.

Benzodiazepines (Synonyms) Drug Class Trade Names Street Names
Alprazolam Antipanic Agent; Antitremor Agent; AnxiolyticAnxiolytic:  A mild sedative used for relief of anxiety.;
CNS DepressantCentral Nervous System (CNS) Depressant:  An agent that diminishes brain and/or spinal cord function or activity.;
Sedative-hypnoticSedative-Hypnotic:  An agent that calms nervousness, irritability, and excitement and/or induces sleep. In general, sedative-hypnotics depress the central nervous system and tend to cause sluggishness and reduced mental activity.		 Alplax; Alpronax; Alviz; Bestrol; Cassadan; Constan; D 65MT; Esparon; Frontal; Intensol; Niravam; Restyl; Solanax; Tafil; Tranax; Trankimazin; Tranquinal; Xanax; Xanor Xanies
Bromazepam AnxiolyticAnxiolytic:  A mild sedative used for relief of anxiety.;
CNS DepressantCentral Nervous System (CNS) Depressant:  An agent that diminishes brain and/or spinal cord function or activity.;
Sedative-hypnoticSedative-Hypnotic:  An agent that calms nervousness, irritability, and excitement and/or induces sleep. In general, sedative-hypnotics depress the central nervous system and tend to cause sluggishness and reduced mental activity.		 Apo-Bromazepam; Calmepam; Compedium; Compendium; Creosedin; Durazanil; Gen-Bromazepam; Lectopam; Lekotam; Lexaurin; Lexilium; Lexomil; Lexotan; Lexotanil; Normoc; Novo-bromazepam; Nu-Bromazepam; Somalium; Ultramidol  
Chlordiazepoxide Antipanic Agent; Antitremor Agent; AnxiolyticAnxiolytic:  A mild sedative used for relief of anxiety.;
CNS DepressantCentral Nervous System (CNS) Depressant:  An agent that diminishes brain and/or spinal cord function or activity.;
Sedative-hypnoticSedative-Hypnotic:  An agent that calms nervousness, irritability, and excitement and/or induces sleep. In general, sedative-hypnotics depress the central nervous system and tend to cause sluggishness and reduced mental activity.		 A-Poxide; Abboxide; Apo-Chlorax; Apo-Chlordiazepoxide; Balance; CD 2; CDO; CDP; Chlordiazachel; Chlozepid; Clopoxide; Clordiazepossido; Contol; Control; Corium; Decacil; Eden; Elenium; Helogaphen; Ifibrium; Kalmocaps; Librax; Librelease; Librinin; Libritabs; Librium; Limbitrol; Lygen; Menrium; Mesural; Methaminodiazepoxide; Mildmen; Multum; Napoton; Napton; Novo-Poxide; Psicosan; Radepur; Risolid; Silibrin; Tropium; Viopsicol  
Clobazam AnticonvulsantAnticonvulsant:  An agent used to control convulsions and seizures, primarily in the treatment of epilepsy.;
CNS DepressantCentral Nervous System (CNS) Depressant:  An agent that diminishes brain and/or spinal cord function or activity.		 Chlorepin; Clorepin; Frisium; Mystan; Urbadan; Urbanyl  
Clonazepam Antipanic Agent;
CNS DepressantCentral Nervous System (CNS) Depressant:  An agent that diminishes brain and/or spinal cord function or activity.;
Sedative-hypnoticSedative-Hypnotic:  An agent that calms nervousness, irritability, and excitement and/or induces sleep. In general, sedative-hypnotics depress the central nervous system and tend to cause sluggishness and reduced mental activity.		 Antelepsin; Antilepsin; Cloazepam; Clonopin; Iktorivil; Klonopin; Landsen; Rivotril  
Clorazepate AnticonvulsantAnticonvulsant:  An agent used to control convulsions and seizures, primarily in the treatment of epilepsy.;
AnxiolyticAnxiolytic:  A mild sedative used for relief of anxiety.;
CNS DepressantCentral Nervous System (CNS) Depressant:  An agent that diminishes brain and/or spinal cord function or activity.;
Sedative-hypnoticSedative-Hypnotic:  An agent that calms nervousness, irritability, and excitement and/or induces sleep. In general, sedative-hypnotics depress the central nervous system and tend to cause sluggishness and reduced mental activity.		 Chlorazepate; Gen-xene; Tranxene  
Delorazepam (Chlordesmethyldiazepam) AnxiolyticAnxiolytic:  A mild sedative used for relief of anxiety.;
CNS DepressantCentral Nervous System (CNS) Depressant:  An agent that diminishes brain and/or spinal cord function or activity.		 Dadumir  
Diazepam (Methyldiazepinone) AmnesticAmnestic:  An agent used for the treatment of impaired memory function.;
AnticonvulsantAnticonvulsant:  An agent used to control convulsions and seizures, primarily in the treatment of epilepsy.;
Antipanic Agent; Antitremor Agent; AnxiolyticAnxiolytic:  A mild sedative used for relief of anxiety.;
CNS DepressantCentral Nervous System (CNS) Depressant:  An agent that diminishes brain and/or spinal cord function or activity.;
Sedative-hypnoticSedative-Hypnotic:  An agent that calms nervousness, irritability, and excitement and/or induces sleep. In general, sedative-hypnotics depress the central nervous system and tend to cause sluggishness and reduced mental activity.		 Alboral; Aliseum; Alupram; Amiprol; An-Ding; Ansiolin; Ansiolisina; Apaurin; Apo-Diazepam; Apozepam; Armonil; Assival; Atensine; Atilen; Bensedin; Bialzepam; Calmocitene; Calmpose; Cercine; Ceregulart; Condition; Diacepan; Dialag; Dialar; Diapam; Diastat; Diazemuls; Diazemulus; Diazepam Intensol; Diazepan; Diazetard; Dienpax; Dipam; Dipezona; Dizac; Domalium; Duksen; Duxen; E-Pam; Eridan; Eurosan; Evacalm; Faustan; Freudal; Frustan; Gewacalm; Gihitan; Kabivitrum; Kiatrium; LA III; Lamra; Lembrol; Levium; Liberetas; Mandrozep; Morosan; Neurolytril; Noan; Novazam; Novo-Dipam; Paceum; Pacitran; Paranten; Paxate; Paxel; Plidan; Pms-Diazepam; Pro-Pam; Q-Pam; Q-Pam Relanium; Quetinil; Quiatril; Quievita; Relaminal; Relanium; Renborin; Ruhsitus; Saromet; Sedapam; Sedipam; Seduksen; Seduxen; Serenack; Serenamin; Serenzin; Servizepam; Setonil; Sibazon; Sibazone; Solis; Sonacon; Stesolid; Stesolin; Tensopam; Tranimul; Tranqdyn; Tranquase; Tranquirit; Tranquo-Puren; Tranquo-Tablinen; Umbrium; Unisedil; Usempax Ap; Valaxona; Valeo; Valiquid; Valitran; Valium; Valrelease; Vatran; Velium; Vival; Vivol; Zetran; Zipan Vals
Estazolam CNS DepressantCentral Nervous System (CNS) Depressant:  An agent that diminishes brain and/or spinal cord function or activity.;
Sedative-hypnoticSedative-Hypnotic:  An agent that calms nervousness, irritability, and excitement and/or induces sleep. In general, sedative-hypnotics depress the central nervous system and tend to cause sluggishness and reduced mental activity.		 Cannoc; D 40TA; Esilgan; Eurodin; Julodin; Nemurel; Nuctalon; ProSom; Somnatrol  
Flunitrazepam CNS DepressantCentral Nervous System (CNS) Depressant:  An agent that diminishes brain and/or spinal cord function or activity.;
Sedative-hypnoticSedative-Hypnotic:  An agent that calms nervousness, irritability, and excitement and/or induces sleep. In general, sedative-hypnotics depress the central nervous system and tend to cause sluggishness and reduced mental activity.		 Narcozep; Primun; Rohypnol; Roipnol Date rape drug; Ruphies
Lorazepam (o-Chloroxazepam) AmnesticAmnestic:  An agent used for the treatment of impaired memory function.;
AnticonvulsantAnticonvulsant:  An agent used to control convulsions and seizures, primarily in the treatment of epilepsy.;
AntiemeticAntiemetic:  An agent that relieves vomiting.;
Antipanic Agent; Antitremor Agent; AnxiolyticAnxiolytic:  A mild sedative used for relief of anxiety.;
CNS DepressantCentral Nervous System (CNS) Depressant:  An agent that diminishes brain and/or spinal cord function or activity.;
Sedative-hypnoticSedative-Hypnotic:  An agent that calms nervousness, irritability, and excitement and/or induces sleep. In general, sedative-hypnotics depress the central nervous system and tend to cause sluggishness and reduced mental activity.		 Almazine; Alzapam; Anxiedin; Aplacassee; Ativan; Bonatranquan; Delormetazepam; Emotival; Idalprem; Lorabenz; Lorax; Loraz; Lorazepam Intensol; Lorsilan; Pro Dorm; Psicopax; Punktyl; Quait; Securit; Sedatival; Sedazin; Somagerol; Tavor; Temesta; Wypax  
Midazolam AmnesticAmnestic:  An agent used for the treatment of impaired memory function.;
AnticonvulsantAnticonvulsant:  An agent used to control convulsions and seizures, primarily in the treatment of epilepsy.;
AnxiolyticAnxiolytic:  A mild sedative used for relief of anxiety.;
CNS DepressantCentral Nervous System (CNS) Depressant:  An agent that diminishes brain and/or spinal cord function or activity.;
Sedative-hypnoticSedative-Hypnotic:  An agent that calms nervousness, irritability, and excitement and/or induces sleep. In general, sedative-hypnotics depress the central nervous system and tend to cause sluggishness and reduced mental activity.		 Dormicum; Versed  
Nitrazepam Antipanic Agent; Antitremor Agent; AnticonvulsantAnticonvulsant:  An agent used to control convulsions and seizures, primarily in the treatment of epilepsy.;
CNS DepressantCentral Nervous System (CNS) Depressant:  An agent that diminishes brain and/or spinal cord function or activity.;
Sedative-hypnoticSedative-Hypnotic:  An agent that calms nervousness, irritability, and excitement and/or induces sleep. In general, sedative-hypnotics depress the central nervous system and tend to cause sluggishness and reduced mental activity.		 Alodorm; Apo-nitrazepam; Apodorm; Atempol; Benzalin; Calsamin; Calsmin; Cerson; Dormicum; Dormin-5; Dormo-puren; Dumolid; Eatan; Epibenzalin; Epinelbon; Eunoctin; Eunoktin; Gerson; Hipnax; Hipsal; Ibrovek; Imeson; Imesont; Insomin; Ipersed; LA 1; Magadon; Megadon; Mitidin; Mogadan; Mogadon; Mogadone; Nelbon; Nelmat; Neozepam; Neuchlonic; Nitrados; Nitravet; Nitrazadon; Nitrazepam-10; Nitrazepam-5; Nitrempax; Nitrenpax; Noctesed; Pacisyn; Paxisyn; Pelson; Persopit; Radedorm; Relact; Remnos; Sandoz nitrazepam; Somitran; Somnased; Somnibel; Somnite; Sonebon; Sonnolin; Surem; Trazenin; Unisomnia  
Oxazepam Antipanic Agent; Antitremor Agent; AnxiolyticAnxiolytic:  A mild sedative used for relief of anxiety.;
CNS DepressantCentral Nervous System (CNS) Depressant:  An agent that diminishes brain and/or spinal cord function or activity.;
Sedative-hypnoticSedative-Hypnotic:  An agent that calms nervousness, irritability, and excitement and/or induces sleep. In general, sedative-hypnotics depress the central nervous system and tend to cause sluggishness and reduced mental activity.		 Adumbran; Ansioxacepam; Anxiolit; Aplakil; Astress; Azutranquil; Bonare; Drimuel; Droxacepam; Durazepam; Enidrel; Hi-Long; Isodin; Lederpam; Limbial; Murelax; Nesontil; Noctazepam; Notaral; Oxa-puren; Oxanid; Pacienx; Praxiten; Propax; Psiquiwas; QUEN; Quilibrex; Rondar; Sedigoa; Serax; Serenal; Serenid; Serepax; Seresta; Serpax; Sigacalm; Sobril; Tacepam; Tazepam; Uskan; Vaben; Wy-3498 stic; Zaxopam  
Prazepam Antipanic Agent; Antitremor Agent; AnxiolyticAnxiolytic:  A mild sedative used for relief of anxiety.;
CNS DepressantCentral Nervous System (CNS) Depressant:  An agent that diminishes brain and/or spinal cord function or activity.;
Sedative-hypnoticSedative-Hypnotic:  An agent that calms nervousness, irritability, and excitement and/or induces sleep. In general, sedative-hypnotics depress the central nervous system and tend to cause sluggishness and reduced mental activity.		 Alplax; Alpronax; Alviz; Bestrol; Cassadan; Constan; D 65MT; Esparon; Frontal; Intensol; Niravam; Restyl; Solanax; Tafil; Tranax; Trankimazin; Tranquinal; Xanax; Xanor  
Temazepam (Hydroxydiazepam; Methyloxazepam; Oxydiazepam) CNS DepressantCentral Nervous System (CNS) Depressant:  An agent that diminishes brain and/or spinal cord function or activity.;
Sedative-hypnoticSedative-Hypnotic:  An agent that calms nervousness, irritability, and excitement and/or induces sleep. In general, sedative-hypnotics depress the central nervous system and tend to cause sluggishness and reduced mental activity.		 Apo-Temazepam; Cerepax; Crisonar; Euhypnos; Euipnos; Gelthix; Levanxene; Levanxol; Levanzene; Mabertin; Normison; Novo-Temazepam; Perdorm; Planum; Remestan; Restoril; Signopam; Temaz  
Triazolam CNS DepressantCentral Nervous System (CNS) Depressant:  An agent that diminishes brain and/or spinal cord function or activity.;
Sedative-hypnoticSedative-Hypnotic:  An agent that calms nervousness, irritability, and excitement and/or induces sleep. In general, sedative-hypnotics depress the central nervous system and tend to cause sluggishness and reduced mental activity.		 Alti-Triazolam; Apo-Triazo; Clorazolam; Gen-Triazolam; Halcion; Novidorm; Novo-Triolam; Novodorm; Songar  

Sources

Top of Page
  • Benzodiazepines - Oral. HealthCentral. 07 Sept. 2001 <http://www.healthcentral.com/mhc/top/001811.cfm>.
  • Benzodiazepines (Systemic). WebMD. 07 Sept. 2001 <http://my.webmd.com/content/article/3185.194>.
  • Beyond the ABC's Information for Professionals - Tranquilizers and Sleeping Pills. Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission. 07 Sept. 2001 <http://www.nadc.gov.ab.ca/aadac/addictions/beyond/beyond_tranquillizers_ sleepingpills.htm>.
  • Drug Information - Tranquillisers. The Centre for Recovery. 07 Sept. 2001 <http://dialspace.dial.pipex.com/town/terrace/gjl37/druginfo/tranquil.html>.
  • Drug Photos from the IPRC Website. Indiana Prevention Resource Center. 07 Sept. 2001 <http://www.drugs.indiana.edu/prevention/iprcpics.html>.
  • Rohypnol Information Sheet. Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault. 07 Sept. 2001 <http://www.wcasa.org/html/rohypnol.html>.
  • Stafford, Tracy. Questions About Rohypnol. Florida House District 92. 07 Sept. 2001 <http://www.state.fl.us/legislature/stafford/roh.html>.