Mechanism of Action. Benzodiazepine Information Coalition. (2020, October 9). https://www.benzoinfo.com/mechanism-of-action/. 

Benzodiazepine mechanism of action 

Group of anti-anxiety drugs that increase GABA's inhibitory effect in the central nervous system, thus having a sedative effect. As such, it has been effective for controlling anxiety and helping with insomnia. 
Examples of benzodiazepines:
- Diazpam (valium)
- Xanax
- Halcion
- Ativan

Scripps College

University of Rochester

Michigan State University

- SSRIs
- SNRIs
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Benzodiazepines
- B- blockers
- Buspirone
- MAOIs
- Anxiolytics

Drug Treatments for Anxiety Disorders

Valerian is used as a natural treatment for sleep issues, having sedative and hypnotic qualities that some studies have shown to be comparable to benzodiazepines. Although generally well-tolerated, some cases of severe adverse reactions have been documented.

Valerian

Breedlove, S. & Watson, N. (2017). Behavioral neuroscience, eighth edition. Oxford University Press.

Behavioral Neuroscience 8th Edition

National Center for Biotechnology Information (2021). PubChem Compound Summary for CID 5556, Triazolam. Retrieved October 21, 2021 from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Triazolam.

Lorazepam (Ativan)

Triazolam (Halcion)

National Center for Biotechnology Information (2021). PubChem Compound Summary for CID 3016, Diazepam. Retrieved October 21, 2021 from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Diazepam.

Diazepam (Valium)

National Center for Biotechnology Information (2021). PubChem Compound Summary for CID 2118, Alprazolam. Retrieved October 21, 2021 from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Alprazolam.

Alprazolam (Xanax)

Benzodiazepines to treat Anxiety

- Class of substances used to treat anxiety
- "Anxiety Dissolving"
- At high doses have anti-convulsant & sleep-inducing properties
- Anxiolytic benzodiazepines bind to GABA receptors throughout the brain but especially in the cerebral cortex and some areas of the hippocampus and amygdala

Anxiolytics to treat Anxiety

Generally prescribed for anxiety and OCD-like symptoms. It is the first line of treatment for anxiety. It works by stopping the reabsorption of Serotonin, thus stimulated mood regulation.

1. citalopram (Celexa)
2. escitalopram (Lexapro)
3. fluoxetine (Prozac)
4. fluvoxamine (Luvox)
5. paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva)
6. sertraline (Zoloft)

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Treats depression and anxiety, and can be prescribed for even chronic pain. It reduces the brain’s reabsorption of serotonin and norepinephrine.

1. duloxetine (Cymbalta)
2. venlafaxine (Effexor XR)

Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors

Effects are similar to opioids. Acute intoxication has been shown to produce an increase in sleepiness, decrease in wakefulness, and sometimes even daytime sleepiness. 

Chronic use can lead to the development of tolerance to these effects, rebound insomnia, and potentially serious withdrawal effects, especially for those with breathing-related issues, such as obstructive sleep apnea and hypoventilation. 

Parasomnias have been associated to higher doses of benzodiazepine receptor agonist medications and other sedative drugs.

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