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The tables below contain a sample list of benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine analogs that are commonly prescribed, with their basic pharmacological characteristics, such as half-life and equivalent doses to other benzodiazepines, also listed, along with their trade names and primary uses.
Effects of long-term benzodiazepine use may include disinhibition, impaired concentration and memory, depression, [19] [20] as well as sexual dysfunction. [6] [21] The long-term effects of benzodiazepines may differ from the adverse effects seen after acute administration of benzodiazepines. [22]
The high potency benzodiazepines alprazolam and triazolam and long-acting benzodiazepines are not recommended in the elderly due to increased adverse effects. Nonbenzodiazepines such as zaleplon and zolpidem and low doses of sedating antidepressants are sometimes used as alternatives to benzodiazepines.
Nordazepam is a partial agonist at the GABA A receptor, which makes it less potent than other benzodiazepines, particularly in its amnesic and muscle-relaxing effects. [6] Its elimination half life is between 36 and 200 hours, with wide variation among individuals; factors such as age and sex are known to impact it. [2]
A short elimination half-life and a rapid onset of action are characteristics which increase the abuse potential of a benzodiazepines. [18] The following table provides the elimination half-life, approximate equivalent doses, speed of onset of action, and duration of behavioural effects. [32] [33]
An equianalgesic chart can be a useful tool, but the user must take care to correct for all relevant variables such as route of administration, cross tolerance, half-life and the bioavailability of a drug. [5] For example, the narcotic levorphanol is 4–8 times stronger than morphine, but also has a much longer half-life. Simply switching the ...
Flurazepam is a "classical" benzodiazepine; some other classical benzodiazepines include diazepam, clonazepam, oxazepam, lorazepam, nitrazepam, bromazepam, and clorazepate. [16] Flurazepam generates an active metabolite, N-desalkylflurazepam, with a very long elimination half-life. [3]
Additionally the elderly are more sensitive to the adverse effects of benzodiazepines compared to younger individuals even when blood plasma levels are the same. Use of benzodiazepines in the elderly is only recommended for 2 weeks and it is also recommended that half of the usual daily dose is prescribed.