benzodiazepine (redirected from Benzodiazepines)

ben·zo·di·az·e·pine  (bnz-d-z-pn, -pn)

n.

Any of a group of chemical compounds with a common molecular structure and similar pharmacological effects, used as antianxiety agents, muscle relaxants, sedatives, hypnotics, and sometimes as anticonvulsants.

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[benzo- + diazep(am) + -ine².]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

benzodiazepine - any of several similar lipophilic amines used as tranquilizers or sedatives or hypnotics or muscle relaxants; chronic use can lead to dependency alprazolam, Xanax - an antianxiety agent (trade name Xanax) of the benzodiazepine class chlordiazepoxide, Libritabs, Librium - a tranquilizer (trade names Librium and Libritabs) used in the treatment of alcoholism diazepam, Valium - a tranquilizer (trade name Valium) used to relieve anxiety and relax muscles; acts by enhancing the inhibitory actions of the neurotransmitter GABA; can also be used as an anticonvulsant drug in cases of nerve agent poisoning estazolam, ProSom - a frequently prescribed sleeping pill (trade name ProSom) Ativan, lorazepam - tranquilizer (trade name Ativan) used to treat anxiety and tension and insomnia midazolam, Versed - an injectable form of benzodiazepine (trade name Versed) useful for sedation and for reducing pain during uncomfortable medical procedures antianxiety drug, anxiolytic, anxiolytic drug, minor tranquilizer, minor tranquilliser, minor tranquillizer - a tranquilizer used to relieve anxiety and reduce tension and irritability muscle relaxant - a drug that reduces muscle contractility by blocking the transmission of nerve impulses or by decreasing the excitability of the motor end plate or by other actions nitrazepam - a hypnotic and sedative drug of the benzodiazepine type Restoril, temazepam - a frequently prescribed benzodiazepine (trade name Restoril); takes effect slowly and lasts long enough to help those people who wake up frequently during the night Halcion, triazolam - a form of benzodiazepine (trade name Halcion) frequently prescribed as a sleeping pill; usually given to people who have trouble falling asleep