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FACTS ABOUT BENZODIAZEPINES

1. Commonly used benzodiazepines are listed by the generic name with the manufacturing company’s brand name in parenthesis.   Diazepam (Valium); Chlordiazepoxide (Librium); Alprazalam (Xanax); Clonazepam (Klonipin); Flurazepam (Dalmain); Lorazepam (Ativan); Oxazepam (Serax).  This is not a complete list.  Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) is not legal in the U.S. but is present as a street drug.
2. Benzodiazepines are much used drugs that come in long and short acting versions.. They are used in anesthesia, for anxiety such as before medical procedures, and as sleeping pills. They also are valuable to stop convulsions and to treat alcohol withdrawal.
3. Fatalities caused by overdose are rare but possible, especially when combined with alcohol.
4. Addiction is rare but possible.  More common is occasional abuse that can cause symptoms similar to alcohol such as dangerous driving, poor behavior and memory blackouts.
5. When addiction does occur it can be managed by careful tapering, e.g., lowering the dose every few days or treatment with an anticonvulsant medicine.  If stopped abruptly, withdrawal will occur.  It is similar to alcohol but not usually life threatening.  It is best to get medical care.