Sedative drugs and sleeping pills, including<unk> , have been associated with an increased risk of death. The studies had many limitations: possibly tending to overestimate risk, such as possible confounding by indication with other risk factors; confusing hypnotics with drugs having other indications; Common side-effects of<unk>  include: * Confusion * Constipation * Drowsiness * Fainting * Altered sex drive * Liver problems * Lack of muscle coordination * Minor menstrual irregularities * Nausea * Skin rash or eruptions * Swelling due to fluid retention * Yellow eyes and skin<unk>  in laboratory mice studies impairs latent learning. Benzodiazepines impair learning and memory via their action on benzodiazepine receptors, which causes a dysfunction in the cholinergic neuronal system in mice. It was later found that scopolamine impairment in learning was caused by an increase in benzodiazepine/GABA activity (and that benzodiazepines were not associated with the cholinergic system). In tests of various benzodiazepine compounds,<unk>  was found to cause the most profound reduction in the turnover of 5HT (serotonin) in rats. Serotonin is closely involved in regulating mood and may be one of the causes of feelings of depression in rats using<unk>  or other benzodiazepines. frame In September 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required the boxed warning be updated for all benzodiazepine medicines to describe the risks of abuse, misuse, addiction, physical dependence, and withdrawal reactions consistently across all the medicines in the class. Tolerance and dependence Tolerance Chronic use of benzodiazepines, such as<unk> , leads to the development of tolerance, with a decrease in number of benzodiazepine binding sites in mouse forebrain. The Committee of Review of Medicines, who carried out an extensive review of benzodiazepines including<unk> , found—and were in agreement with the Institute of Medicine (USA) and the conclusions of a study carried out by the White House Office of Drug Policy and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (USA)—that there was little evidence that long-term use of benzodiazepines were beneficial in the treatment of insomnia due to the development of tolerance. Benzodiazepines tended to lose their sleep-promoting properties within 3–14 days of continuous use, and in the treatment of anxiety the committee found that there was little convincing evidence that benzodiazepines retained efficacy in the treatment of anxiety after 4 months' continuous use due to the development of tolerance. Dependence<unk>  can cause physical dependence and what is known as the benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome. Withdrawal from<unk>  or other benzodiazepines often leads to withdrawal symptoms that are similar to those seen with alcohol and barbiturates. The higher the dose and the longer the drug is taken, the greater the risk of experiencing unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms can, however, occur at standard dosages and also after short-term use. Benzodiazepine treatment should be discontinued as soon as possible through a slow and gradual dose-reduction regime.<unk>  taken during pregnancy can cause a postnatal benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome. Overdose An individual who has consumed excess<unk>  may display some of the following symptoms: * Somnolence (difficulty staying awake) * Mental confusion * Hypotension * Hypoventilation * Impaired motor functions * Impaired reflexes * Impaired coordination * Impaired balance * Dizziness * Muscle weakness * Coma<unk>  is a drug that is very frequently involved in drug intoxication, including overdose.<unk>  overdose is considered a medical emergency and, in general, requires the immediate attention of medical personnel. The antidote for an overdose of<unk>  (or any other benzodiazepine) is flumazenil. Flumazenil should be given with caution as it may precipitate severe withdrawal symptoms in benzodiazepine-dependent individuals.
Chlordiazepoxide
Clorazepate
Amobarbital
Phenobarbital
Heptobarbital
Ethyl loflazepate
Tianeptine
Methylphenobarbital