A drug may be classified by the chemical type of the active ingredient or by the way it is used to treat a particular condition. Each drug can be classified into one or more drug classes.
Benzodiazepines enhance activation of GABA receptors and act as central nervous system depressants. They inhibit spread of discharge that causes seizures in epileptics.
Benzodiazepines are effective anticonvulsants but due to their sedative effect they are rarely used as maintenance therapy. Diazepam, a benzodiazepine, is given intravenously to treat status epilepticus, which can be a life threatening condition where seizures occur almost continuously.
See also
Medical conditions associated with benzodiazepine anticonvulsants:
- Alcohol Withdrawal
- Anxiety
- Benzodiazepine Withdrawal
- Bipolar Disorder
- Burning Mouth Syndrome
- Cervical Dystonia
- Dysautonomia
- Endoscopy or Radiology Premedication
- Hyperekplexia
- ICU Agitation
- Insomnia
- Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome
- Light Anesthesia
- Light Sedation
- Meniere's Disease
- Migraine Prevention
- Muscle Spasm
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Nausea/Vomiting, Chemotherapy Induced
- Night Terrors
- Panic Disorder
- Periodic Limb Movement Disorder
- Restless Legs Syndrome
- Sedation
- Seizure Prevention
- Seizures
- Status Epilepticus
- Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
- Tetanus
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