Which type of medications are classified as benzodiazepines?

Benzodiazepines are classified as central nervous system (CNS) depressants. This category of medications works by enhancing the effects of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain, which results in sedative, anxiolytic (anti-anxiety), muscle relaxant, and anticonvulsant effects. Because of their action on the CNS, they are commonly prescribed for anxiety disorders, panic disorders, insomnia, and certain seizure disorders.

The classification as CNS depressants is key to understanding how benzodiazepines function compared to other classes of medications. For instance, pain relievers primarily address pain and do not have the same sedative properties. Antidepressants are used mainly to treat depressive disorders and do not have the depressant effects on the CNS that characterize benzodiazepines. Stimulants, on the other hand, increase the activity of the CNS, leading to alertness and energy, which is the opposite of what benzodiazepines do. This distinction reinforces why benzodiazepines firmly belong in the category of CNS depressants.