Benzodiazepines: Mechanism of Action and Side Effects

 • Decr spinal cord activity -> Muscle relaxant 

 • Decr amygdala-centered circuit activity -> Decr fear, Decr panic and Decr phobia

 • Decr cerebral cortex activity -> Decr seizures, hypnotic

Side Effects:

 - Anterograde amnesia, confusion

 - Ataxia, slurred speech, weakness

 - Dependence, tolerance

 - Overdose - Rare unless co-ingestion with other CNS depressant -> Respiratory Depression



#Benzodiazepines #Psychiatry #Pharmacology #pathophysiology