Benzodiazepine History and Evolution

Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants and among the most widely prescribed drugs in the U.S. today. There are many drugs within the benzodiazepine family, and some of the more common include Librium, Xanax, Valium, Klonopin, Ativan and Rohypnol, known as the “date rape drug.” The U.S. government classifies benzodiazepines as Schedule IV drugs based on their potential to be habit-forming and lead to abuse, misuse, dependence and addiction. To be classified as a benzodiazepine, drugs must display one or more of the following drug actions: hypnotic, anxiety relief, muscle relaxant, anti-convulsant or an amnesiatic, which induces mild memory loss. Because all benzodiazepines share a core anti-anxiety property, many can be substituted for others when it comes to treating anxiety.

The Benzodiazepine Timeline

The modern era of pharmaceuticals has an answer for nearly every ailment and condition. Prior to the discovery of benzodiazepines, and for centuries, people have turned to any number of substances to relieve anxiety. These include alcohol, tinctures of morphine, bromide (a sedative hypnotic), chloral hydrate, paraldehyde, barbital and Phenobarbital. Austrian scientist Leo Sternbeck discovered benzodiazepines in the 1930s while working for the Hoffman-LaRoche Company. The first benzodiazepine wasn’t introduced to the general market until 1957 when Hoffman launched Librium, typically used to relieve anxiety. Diazepam was introduced to the market in 1963, marketed under the name Valium. Ativan was first synthesized in the early 1970s. Issues of dependency and abuse rose during the 1980s when benzodiazepines became among the most prescribed drugs in the U.S. Benzodiazepines, or “benzos” as they’re often called, affect a key neurotransmitter in the brain called GABA, or gamma-amino butyric acid. The body’s nervous system has two different benzodiazepine receptors, one that elicits the sedative effect and the other that causes the anti-anxiety effect.

Short-Acting and Long-Acting Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are categorized in one of two groups – short-acting and long-acting. Short-acting benzodiazepines leave the body in a short period of time; whereas the long-acting benzodiazepines either accumulate in the bloodstream or take a much longer time to be processed by the body. A benzodiazepine drug’s classification determines how it is prescribed, along with its potential for tolerance, abuse and dependence.

Looking to the Past and Future

Benzodiazepines have been used extensively since the 1960s to treat anxiety and related disorders. It wasn’t until the 1980s that concerns over the drugs’ ability to cause dependence and addiction began to surface. The drugs have proven to be appropriate first-line treatments for anxiety disorders. However, controversy during the 1980s changed public perception of benzodiazepines to some degree. The scare over benzodiazepines reportedly caused some people during that time to forego treatment. Although there are other pharmacological treatments available to address anxiety issues, benzodiazepines remain heavily endorsed by the medical community. New drugs may be on the horizon to treat anxiety-related disorders, but for now, benzodiazepines are holding strong as a prescribed favorite.

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