title: Benzodiazepines.
abstract: Benzodiazepines have been in clinical use since the 1960s. Benzodiazepines act through allosteric modulation of the GABAAreceptor to enhance the activity of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, resulting in a slowing of neurotransmission and sedative and anxiolytic effects. Initially benzodiazepines were thought to have low dependence liability, though over time there has been increasing evidence of benzodiazepine dependence. Benzodiazepines are commonly used to treat anxiety and insomnia, though increasingly they are considered second line treatments for most indications. Concerns about the effects of benzodiazepines on cognition, falls and their implication in opioid related mortality have emerged. Few pharmacological treatments for benzodiazepine dependence have been shown to be effective with gradual taper the most common treatment strategy for benzodiazepine dependence.
authors.affiliation: National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, 22-32 King Street, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia. suzanne.nielsen@unsw.edu.au.|South East Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) Drug and Alcohol Services, 591-623 S Dowling St, Surry Hills, NSW, 2010, Australia. suzanne.nielsen@unsw.edu.au.
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nielsen
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D063487:Prescription Drug Misuse; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders
chemical_list: D001569:Benzodiazepines
keywords: Benzodiazepine; Dependence; Misuse; Non-medical use