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Classification: Central nervous system (CNS) depressant
Background: Benzodiazepines are a large group of drugs that act as central nervous system depressants. Opiates and alcohol are also CNS depressants, and like their use, benzodiazepines provide the user with an overall calming effect. The marketing of benzodiazepines began in the 1960s, designed for the treatment of seizures, insomnia, anxiety disorders, acute alcoholism withdrawal and convulsions and as muscle relaxants.
Benzodiazepines are commonly abused for their sedative properties and widespread availability. In fact, it has been predicted that one in five current controlled substance prescriptions in the United States is a benzodiazepine.
Legally Obtained With Prescription as: Nordiazepam, Oxazepam, Diazepam, Lorazepam, Alprazolam, Chlordiazepoxide, Flurazepam, Estazolam, Bromazepam, Nitrazepam, Temazepam, Quazepam, Triazolam, Lormetazepam, Flunitrazepam, Clonazepam and Midazolam
Legally Obtained OTC: None
Metabolism and Detection in Urine: There are three general time-of-effect categories for benzodiazepines:
Accordingly, the faster the reaction and effect of the drug, the smaller the detection window for the drug. This means the detection of benzodiazepines can range from hours to weeks, depending on the drug.
Physiological Effects: Decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, hypotension, respiratory suppression, nausea, lack of coordination, impaired driving skills, blurred vision, increased seizures in epileptics
Psychological Effects: Drowsiness, dizziness, decreased alertness and concentration, depression, disinhibition, changes in appetite, confusion, euphoria, nightmares, aggression, violence, impulsivity, irritability, anterograde amnesia, decreased IQ
Toxicity: Benzodiazepines are especially more dangerous when abused with alcohol, opiates and barbiturates because they act on the same receptors in the body and therefore potentiate the effect of the drug. Since many drug abusers combine multiple drugs, this becomes a dangerously risky game that leads to increased sedation, impaired motor coordination, suppressed breathing and other adverse effects that may potentially be lethal.
Symptoms of overdose may include: drowsiness, slurred speech, nystagmus, hypotension, ataxia, respiratory depression, coma, cardiorespiratory arrest and death.
Legally Obtained with a Prescription as: Xanax, Alprazolam Intensol, Xanor, Alprax, Niravem
Street Names: Z-bars, Bars, Zannies, Zanbars, Handlebars, Blue Footballs, Upjohn
Prescribed Use: Treatment of anxiety disorder, panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, and anxiety associated with depression
Appearance: Round or oblong white tablets, clear liquid
Mode(s) of Use: Tablet and liquid form, to be taken orally
Toxicity: Alprazolam can be habit-forming, and abrupt discontinued use can cause withdrawal symptoms and sometimes fatal side effects such as seizures.
Detection Time in Urine: 1–4 days
Detection Time in Oral Fluid: 1–2 days
Legally Obtained with a Prescription as: Librium, Klopoxide, Libritabs, Mesural, Multam, Zetran, Novapan, Risolid, Silibrin, Sonimen, Tropium
Street Names: Tranqs, Downers, Nerve Pills
Prescribed Use: Management of anxiety disorder or for the short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety, withdrawal symptoms of acute alcoholism, and preoperative anxiety or apprehension.
Appearance: Two-tone capsules of black and teal, or teal and yellow
Mode(s) of Use: Tablet and liquid form, to be taken orally
Metabolism: This drug metabolizes into nordiazepam and oxazepam.
Detection Time in Urine: 1–10 days
Detection Time in Oral Fluid: 1–2 days
Legally Obtained with a Prescription as: Klonopin, Klonopin Wafers, Rivotril, Rivatril
Street Names: Tranqs, Downers, Nerve Pills, Pins, Super Valium, K-Pins, K-Cuts
Prescribed Use: Alone or as an adjunct in the treatment of petit mal variant, akinetic and myoclonic seizures, petit mal seizures unresponsive to succimides and panic disorder with or without agoraphobia.
Appearance: Round tablet, multiple colors, often inscribed with a “K”
Mode(s) of Use: Orally disintegrating tablet and regular tablet form
Detection Time in Urine: 1–4 days
Detection Time in Oral Fluid: 1–2 days
Legally Obtained with a Prescription as: Valium, Valrelease, Diastat, Diastat AcuDial, Diazepam Intensol
Street Names: Tranqs, Downers, Nerve Pills, Vals, Vallies, Candy, French Blues, Wiltshire Blues, Ardins
Prescribed Use: Management of anxiety disorders, ethanol withdrawal symptoms, skeletal muscle relaxant, status epileptics, muscle spasm associated with tetanus.
Mode of Use: Tablet, extended-release tablet, and concentrated liquid for oral consumption, rectal gel.
Appearance: Liquid concentrate comes in a specialized dropper, round white-, light blue- or peach-colored tablet
Metabolism and Precautions: Diazepam metabolizes into nordiazepam, temazepam and oxazepam.
Detection Time in Urine: 1–7 days
Detection Time in Oral Fluid: 1–2 days
Legally Obtained with a Prescription as: Ativan, Lorazepam Intensol, Temesta, Loraz
Street Names: Tranqs, Downers, Nerve Pills
Prescribed Use: Management of anxiety disorders or short-term (≤4 months) relief of symptoms of anxiety or anxiety associated with depressive symptoms. IV use: status epileptics, pre- anesthesia for desired amnesia.
Appearance: White round- or pentagonal-shaped tablet
Mode(s) of Use: Tablets as a freebase, solution prepared for oral administration, and parenteral solution; liquid concentrate comes in a specialized dropper.
Detection Time in Urine: 1–7 days
Detection Time in Oral Fluid: 1–2 days
Legally Obtained with a Prescription as: Methyloxazepam, Normison, Restoril
Street Names: Tranqs, Downers, Nerve Pills, Rugby Balls, Eggs
Prescribed Use: Short-term treatment of insomnia
Mode(s) of Use: Oral tablet
Appearance: Liquid in yellowish gel caps; two- toned capsules found in white and green, blue and red, pink and peach; all yellow, all white
Metabolism: Temazepam is found as a metabolite of medazepam (nobrium) and diazepam. Metabolites of temazepam include oxazepam.
Detection Time in Urine: 1–7 days
Detection Time in Oral Fluid: 1–2 days
The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be used as medical advice. Detection times are approximate and may be influenced by a number of factors, including BMI, duration of drug use, dosage and interindividual metabolic differences. For specific drug testing result interpretation questions, please contact us.
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