Examples
| alprazolam |
Xanax |
| clonazepam |
Klonopin |
| diazepam |
Valium |
| lorazepam |
Ativan |
| temazepam |
Restoril |
How It Works
Benzodiazepines are sedative medicines.
They affect chemicals in the nervous system and brain to reduce communication
between nerve cells. This process improves sleep, relieves anxiety, and relaxes
muscles for some people.
Why It Is Used
These drugs generally are used to
treat anxiety, nervousness, muscular spasms, and seizures. Benzodiazepines may
be used alone, usually for people who only have sleep problems or only have
periodic limb movements. Low doses of benzodiazepines may also be used alone
for the first attempts to relieve mild symptoms of
restless legs syndrome. Benzodiazepines may be used
with other drugs, such as dopamine, opioid, or anticonvulsant medicine, that
have failed to improve symptoms when used alone. They are especially helpful in
improving sleeplessness that has not been helped by other drugs.
How Well It Works
These medicines often help improve
sleep quality and may reduce leg movements.
Side Effects
Side effects may include daytime
sleepiness or confusion and dependency on the drug that may include difficult
withdrawal.
Sleep apnea may develop or become worse while taking
benzodiazepines.
Many doctors are especially concerned about
elderly patients taking these drugs. The sedative components of benzodiazepines
increase the risk of falling, which may result in a serious injury in an older
person.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a
warning about clonazepam (Klonopin) and the risk of suicide and suicidal
thoughts. The FDA does not recommend that people stop using this medicine.
Instead, people who take clonazepam should be watched closely for
warning signs of suicide. People who take clonazepam
and who are worried about this side effect should talk to a doctor.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is
not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
These drugs may be combined with
other treatments, such as levodopa or dopamine agonists or anticonvulsants such
as gabapentin.
More study is needed to discover the full range of
side effects. Benzodiazepines have not yet been reviewed by the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration specifically for treatment of restless legs
syndrome.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?)
to help you understand this medication.
