benzodiazepine

[ ben-zoh-dahy-az-uh-peen, -ey-zuh- ]

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. any of a family of minor tranquilizers that act against anxiety and convulsions and produce sedation and muscle relaxation.

benzodiazepine

/ ˌbɛnzəʊdaɪˈeɪzəˌpiːn /

noun

1. any of a group of chemical compounds that are used as minor tranquillizers, such as diazepam (Valium) and chlordiazepoxide (Librium)

Word History and Origins

Origin of benzodiazepine¹

First recorded in 1965–70; benz- + diazep(am) + -ine ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of benzodiazepine¹

C20: from benzo- + di- ¹+ aza- + ep- + -ine ²

Example Sentences

It’s often contaminated by different dangerous substances—from the potent opioid fentanyl, to the horse tranquilizer xylazine, to benzodiazepines—which makes using illegal drugs more unpredictable and raises the risk of overdose.

From Time

It reduced the number of patients receiving opioids and benzodiazepines together, a combination that has often led to death, by 87 percent in the same timeframe.

From The Daily Beast

Patients with underlying mental health conditions might take daily medications, while physicians sometimes prescribe a limited number of benzodiazepines for flustered fliers to take before or during a flight.

From Washington Post

Only marijuana and benzodiazepines – the family of drugs that includes Xanax and Valium – were found in his urine when he arrived, police records show.

From Voice of San Diego

Related Words

• sedative