Benzodiazepines

Abstract

Benzodiazepines are anxiolytic medications with a rapid onset of action that lasts for a few to several hours, depending on the specific drug and the species. Of the commercially available benzodiazepines, this chapter describes about alprazolam, chlordiazepoxide, clonazepam, clorazepate dipotassium, diazepam, flurazepam, lorazepam, oxazepam, and triazolam. Side effects typical of the benzodiazepines, including sedation, ataxia, muscle relaxation, increased appetite, paradoxical excitation, and increased friendliness, may occur. Alprazolam is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to benzodiazepines, glaucoma, or severe liver or kidney disease. Flumazenil, a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, can be used to completely or partially reverse the effects of an overdose. Flurazepam may be a preferred benzodiazepine for pets that wake during the night due to its long half-life. Lacking good clinical guidelines as to the specific aggression situations in which benzodiazepines might be helpful or risky, they should be avoided or used with extreme caution in cases involving aggressive animals.