Remimazolam is an intravenous benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic with rapid onset and offset of action. This compound undergoes organ-independent metabolism to an inactive metabolite. Like other benzodiazepines, remimazolam can be reversed with flumazenil to rapidly terminate sedation and anesthesia. Phase I and II clinical trials have shown that remimazolam is safe and effective when used for procedural sedation. Phase III clinical trials have been completed investigating efficacy and safety in patients undergoing bronchoscopy and colonoscopy. The developer of this drug has suggested that intensive care unit sedation (beyond 24 hours) could be another possible indication for further development, since it is unlikely that prolonged infusions or higher doses of remimazolam would result in accumulation and extended effect.

Clobazam belongs to the 1,5-benzodiazepine class of drugs with antiepileptic properties. It has been used to treat anxiety and epilepsy since 1970s. In the US clobazam was approved for marketing in October of 2011 for the adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. It is also approved for adjunctive therapy for epilepsy in patients who have not responded to first-line drugs and in children who are refractory to first-line drugs. The mechanism of action for clobazam is not fully understood but is thought to involve what is known as potentiation of GABAergic neurotransmission resulting from binding at a benzodiazepine site at the GABA(A) receptor. Possible side effects: constipation, fever, drowsiness, sedation, ataxia, aggressive behavior, lethargy, drooling, and irritability. Other side effects include: urinary tract infection, pneumonia, cough, dysphagia, dysarthria, bronchitis, insomnia, fatigue, decreased appetite, and increased appetite.

Fumazenil is an imidazobenzodiazepine derivative and a potent benzodiazepine receptor antagonist that competitively inhibits the activity at the benzodiazepine recognition site on the GABA/benzodiazepine receptor complex, thereby reversing the effects of benzodiazepine on the central nervous system. Fumazenil is used for the complete or partial reversal of the sedative effects of benzodiazepines in cases where general anesthesia has been induced and/or maintained with benzodiazepines, and where sedation has been produced with benzodiazepines for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Also for the management of benzodiazepine overdose as an adjunct for appropriate supportive and symptomatic measures. Flumazenil went off patent in 2008 so at present generic formulations of this drug are available.

Estazolam, a triazolobenzodiazepine derivative, is an oral hypnotic agent with anticonvulsant, hypnotic, and muscle relaxant properties. It has been shown in some cases to be more potent than diazepam or nitrazepam. Benzodiazepines bind nonspecifically to benzodiazepine receptors, which affects affects muscle relaxation, anticonvulsant activity, motor coordination, and memory. As benzodiazepine receptors are thought to be coupled to gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) receptors, this enhances the effects GABA by increasing GABA affinity for the GABA receptor. Binding of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA to the site opens the chloride channel, resulting in a hyperpolarized cell membrane that prevents further excitation of the cell. Used for the short-term management of insomnia characterized by difficulty in falling asleep, frequent nocturnal awakenings, and/or early morning awakenings. Marketed under the brand names ProSom, Eurodin.

Buspirone is the first of a new class of anxioselective agents, the azaspirodecanediones. Animal studies have suggested antianxiety activity and the absence of abuse potential. Behavioural, electrophysiological and receptor binding experiments gradually led to the idea that buspirone owes much of its anxiolytic activity to its ability to attenuate central 5-hydroxytryptamine neurotransmission. In vitro preclinical studies have shown that buspirone has a high affinity for serotonin (5-HT1A) receptors. Some studies do suggest that buspirone may have indirect effects on other neurotransmitter systems. Buspirone differs from typical benzodiazepine anxiolytics in that it does not exert anticonvulsant or muscle relaxant effects. It also lacks the prominent sedative effect that is associated with more typical anxiolytics. The drug was approved by FDA for the treatment of anxiety.

Midazolam, previously marketed under the trade name Versed, is a medication used for anesthesia, procedural sedation, trouble sleeping, and severe agitation. Midazolam is a short-acting benzodiazepine central nervous system (CNS) depressant. Pharmacodynamic properties of midazolam and its metabolites, which are similar to those of other benzodiazepines, include sedative, anxiolytic, amnesic and hypnotic activities. Benzodiazepine pharmacologic effects appear to result from reversible interactions with the γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) benzodiazepine receptor in the CNS, the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. The action of midazolam is readily reversed by the benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, flumazenil. Data from published reports of studies in pediatric patients clearly demonstrate that oral midazolam provides safe and effective sedation and anxiolysis prior to surgical procedures that require anesthesia as well as before other procedures that require sedation but may not require anesthesia. The most commonly reported effective doses range from 0.25 to 1 mg/kg in children (6 months to <16 years). The single most commonly reported effective dose is 0.5 mg/kg. Time to onset of effect is most frequently reported as 10 to 20 minutes. The effects of midazolam on the CNS are dependent on the dose administered, the route of administration, and the presence or absence of other medications.

Quazepam is indicated for the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulty in falling asleep, frequent nocturnal awakenings, and/or early morning awakenings. Quazepam interact preferentially with the benzodiazepine-1 (BZ1) receptors. Most common adverse reactions (>1%): drowsiness, headache, fatigue, dizziness, dry mouth, dyspepsia. Downward of CAN depressant dose adjustment may be necessary due to additive effects.

Triazolam is a short-acting benzodiazepine used as a hypnotic agent in the treatment of insomnia. Some countries temporarily withdrew triazolam from the market because of concerns about adverse reactions, mostly psychological, associated with higher dose ranges. Its use at lower doses with appropriate care and labeling has been reaffirmed by the FDA and most other countries. Triazolam has a shorter half-life than chlordiazepoxide, flurazepam, and prazepam and does not generate active metabolites. Benzodiazepines bind nonspecifically to bezodiazepine receptors BNZ1, which mediates sleep, and BNZ2, which affects affects muscle relaxation, anticonvulsant activity, motor coordination, and memory. As benzodiazepine receptors are thought to be coupled to gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) receptors, this enhances the effects of GABA by increasing GABA affinity for the GABA receptor. Binding of GABA to the site opens the chloride channel, resulting in a hyperpolarized cell membrane that prevents further excitation of the cell. Triazolam is used for the short-term treatment of insomnia. Triazolam`s original brand name is Halcion. Triazolam is withdrawn in the United Kingdom due to risk of psychiatric adverse drug reactions. This drug continues to be available in the U.S. Internationally, triazolam is a Schedule IV drug under the Convention on Psychotropic Substances.

Temazepam is a benzodiazepine used as a hypnotic agent in the management of insomnia. Temazepam produces CNS depression at limbic, thalamic, and hypothalamic levels of the CNS. Temazepam increases the affinity of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) for GABA receptors by binding to benzodiazepine receptors. Results are sedation, hypnosis, skeletal muscle relaxation, anticonvulsant activity, and anxiolytic action. Benzodiazepines bind nonspecifically to benzodiazepine receptors, which affects muscle relaxation, anticonvulsant activity, motor coordination, and memory. As benzodiazepine receptors are thought to be coupled to gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) receptors, this enhances the effects of GABA by increasing GABA affinity for the GABA receptor. Binding of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA to the site opens the chloride channel, resulting in a hyperpolarized cell membrane that prevents further excitation of the cell. Temazepam is used for the short-term treatment of insomnia (generally 7-10 days).

Alprazolam, a benzodiazepine, is used to treat panic disorder and anxiety disorder. Unlike chlordiazepoxide, clorazepate, and prazepam, alprazolam has a shorter half-life and metabolites with minimal activity. Alprazolam may have significant drug interactions involving the hepatic cytochrome P-450 3A4 isoenzyme. Clinically, all benzodiazepines cause a dose-related central nervous system depressant activity varying from mild impairment of task performance to hypnosis. Unlike other benzodiazepines, alprazolam may also have some antidepressant activity, although clinical evidence of this is lacking. CNS agents of the 1,4 benzodiazepine class presumably exert their effects by binding at stereo specific receptors at several sites within the central nervous system. Their exact mechanism of action is unknown. Benzodiazepines bind nonspecifically to benzodiazepine receptors BNZ1, which mediates sleep, and BNZ2, which affects muscle relaxation, anticonvulsant activity, motor coordination, and memory. As benzodiazepine receptors are thought to be coupled to gamma-aminobutyric acid-A (GABAA) receptors, this enhances the effects of GABA by increasing GABA affinity for the GABA receptor. Binding of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA to the site opens the chloride channel, resulting in a hyperpolarized cell membrane that prevents further excitation of the cell.