How do benzodiazepines work?

When you are anxious, your brain becomes more active. It may then produce a chemical messenger (or ‘neurotransmitter’) called GABA (short for gamma-aminobutyric acid) that makes you feel calmer. GABA is the brain’s naturally occurring ‘calmer’. The benzodiazepines make the action of GABA more powerful and this helps to calm people down.

Benzodiazepines are recommended as an emergency treatment that should not be used for more than 1 month. Benzodiazepines should not be used for panic disorder. They should not be used as a routine treatment for generalised anxiety disorder, except as a short-term measure during a crisis.

These drugs are not usually helpful for conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder but may be used in emergency situations needing rapid calming.

What different types of benzodiazepines are there?

Types of benzodiazepines are normally grouped by the length of time over which they act (called a half-life), with shorter acting benzodiazepines called ‘hypnotics’ and longer acting benzodiazepines called ‘anxiolytics’.

Hypnotics are used for those experiencing difficulties sleeping (insomnia). Anxiolytic type benzodiazepines help to reduce anxiety, agitation and tension. For both of these types of benzodiazepine, using them should only be for the shortest amount of time possible. Drugs that fall into the category of benzodiazepines include:

Benzodiazepines – Hypnotic effects Benzodiazepines – Anxiolytic effects
Flurazepam Alprazolam
Loprazolam Chlordiazepoxide
Lormetazepam Diazepam
Nitrazepam Lorazepam
Temazepam Oxazepam

These drugs can come as tablets, capsules and liquids. They should start to work fairly soon after you take them.