claim: Benzodiazepines can be taken.
evidence: Benzodiazepines -LRB- BZD , BZs -RRB- , sometimes called `` benzos '' , are a class of psychoactive drugs whose core chemical structure is the fusion of a benzene ring and a diazepine ring .. benzene. benzene. diazepine. diazepine. The first such drug , chlordiazepoxide -LRB- Librium -RRB- , was discovered accidentally by Leo Sternbach in 1955 , and made available in 1960 by Hoffmann -- La Roche , which , since 1963 , has also marketed the benzodiazepine diazepam -LRB- Valium -RRB- .. chlordiazepoxide. chlordiazepoxide. discovered accidentally. role of chance in scientific discoveries. Leo Sternbach. Leo Sternbach. diazepam. diazepam. In 1977 benzodiazepines were globally the most prescribed medications .. Benzodiazepines enhance the effect of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid -LRB- GABA -RRB- at the GABAA receptor , resulting in sedative , hypnotic -LRB- sleep-inducing -RRB- , anxiolytic -LRB- anti-anxiety -RRB- , anticonvulsant , and muscle relaxant properties .. neurotransmitter. neurotransmitter. gamma-aminobutyric acid. gamma-Aminobutyric acid. sedative. sedative. hypnotic. hypnotic. sleep-inducing. Sleep induction. anxiolytic. anxiolytic. anticonvulsant. anticonvulsant. muscle relaxant. muscle relaxant. anxiety. anxiety. High doses of many shorter-acting benzodiazepines may also cause anterograde amnesia and dissociation .. anterograde amnesia. anterograde amnesia. dissociation. dissociation ( psychology ). These properties make benzodiazepines useful in treating anxiety , insomnia , agitation , seizures , muscle spasms , alcohol withdrawal and as a premedication for medical or dental procedures .. anxiety. anxiety. insomnia. insomnia. agitation. Psychomotor agitation. seizures. epileptic seizure. muscle spasms. spasm. alcohol withdrawal. alcohol withdrawal. premedication. premedication. withdrawal. benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome. Benzodiazepines are categorized as either short - , intermediate - , or long-acting .. Short - and intermediate-acting benzodiazepines are preferred for the treatment of insomnia ; longer-acting benzodiazepines are recommended for the treatment of anxiety .. anxiety. anxiety. insomnia. insomnia. Benzodiazepines are generally viewed as safe and effective for short-term use , although cognitive impairment and paradoxical effects such as aggression or behavioral disinhibition occasionally occur .. disinhibition. disinhibition. A minority of people can have paradoxical reactions such as worsened agitation or panic .. agitation. Psychomotor agitation. Long-term use is controversial because of concerns about adverse psychological and physical effects , decreasing effectiveness , and physical dependence and withdrawal .. physical dependence. physical dependence. withdrawal. benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome. As a result of adverse effects associated with the long-term use of benzodiazepines , withdrawal from benzodiazepines , in general , leads to improved physical and mental health .. withdrawal. benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome. The elderly are at an increased risk of suffering from both short - and long-term adverse effects , and as a result , all benzodiazepines are listed in the Beers List of inappropriate medications for older adults .. long-term adverse effects. long-term effects of benzodiazepines. Beers List. Beers Criteria. There is controversy concerning the safety of benzodiazepines in pregnancy .. While they are not major teratogens , uncertainty remains as to whether they cause cleft palate in a small number of babies and whether neurobehavioural effects occur as a result of prenatal exposure ; they are known to cause withdrawal symptoms in the newborn .. withdrawal. benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome. teratogens. teratogens. cleft palate. cleft palate. withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. Neonatal withdrawal. Benzodiazepines can be taken in overdoses and can cause dangerous deep unconsciousness .. deep unconsciousness. coma. However , they are less toxic than their predecessors , the barbiturates , and death rarely results when a benzodiazepine is the only drug taken .. When combined with other central nervous system -LRB- CNS -RRB- depressants such as alcoholic drinks and opioids , the potential for toxicity and fatal overdose increases .. central nervous system. central nervous system. Benzodiazepines are commonly misused and taken in combination with other drugs of abuse .. drugs of abuse. Drug abuse