As benzodiazepinas atuam no recetor do ácido gama-aminobutírico tipo A ( GABA GABA The most common inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Receptors and Neurotransmitters of the CNSA), tendo um efeito inibitório do SNC. Estes fármacos não mimetizam o GABA GABA The most common inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Receptors and Neurotransmitters of the CNS, o principal neurotransmissor inibitório do ser humano, mas potenciam a sua atividade. Esta classe farmacológica tem propriedades ansiolíticas, relaxantes musculares, hipnóticas, sedativas e anticonvulsivantes. A utilização prolongada destes medicamentos não está tipicamente recomendada, uma vez que os doentes podem desenvolver uma dependência fisiológica e psicológica. Nos efeitos colaterais inclui-se o défice cognitivo, a sonolência e a depressão respiratória.
Last updated: Jun 27, 2022

Estrutura das benzodiazepinas:
Na imagem à esquerda observa-se o clássico anel de 1,4-benzodiazepina. Na imagem à direita observa-se o sistema de anéis mais comum desta classe.
GABA GABA The most common inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Receptors and Neurotransmitters of the CNS:
Recetores GABA GABA The most common inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Receptors and Neurotransmitters of the CNS:
Efeitos terapêuticos das benzodiazepinas:

Curva dose-resposta das benzodiazepinas:
Em cima observa-se a curva dose-resposta das benzodiazepinas. Estas apresentam propriedades ansiolíticas em baixas doses e têm um “efeito de teto”, em que apesar das doses crescentes se atinge o pico dos efeitos anestésicos.
As benzodiazepinas lipofílicas têm uma absorção mais MAIS Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome rápida.
A eliminação ocorre através dos rins (os glucuronídeos são excretados na urina).
A tabela abaixo destaca as benzodiazepinas mais MAIS Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome importantes e aborda as propriedades de cada uma. No que diz respeito à farmacocinética, é importante ter em atenção o início de ação, a metabolização e a eliminação.
| Fármaco | Início de ação | Duração | Metabolismo | Metabolitos ativos importantes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alprazolam Alprazolam A triazolobenzodiazepine compound with antianxiety and sedative-hypnotic actions, that is efficacious in the treatment of panic disorders, with or without agoraphobia, and in generalized anxiety disorders. Benzodiazepines | Intermédio | Intermédia | CYP3A4 CYP3A4 Class 3 Antiarrhythmic Drugs (Potassium Channel Blockers) | Não |
| Clordiazepóxido | Intermédio | Prolongada | CYP3A4 CYP3A4 Class 3 Antiarrhythmic Drugs (Potassium Channel Blockers) | Sim |
| Clonazepam Clonazepam An anticonvulsant used for several types of seizures, including myotonic or atonic seizures, photosensitive epilepsy, and absence seizures, although tolerance may develop. It is seldom effective in generalized tonic-clonic or partial seizures. The mechanism of action appears to involve the enhancement of gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor responses. Benzodiazepines | Intermédio | Intermédia | CYP3A4 CYP3A4 Class 3 Antiarrhythmic Drugs (Potassium Channel Blockers) | Não |
| Clorazepato | Rápido | Prolongada |
|
Sim |
| Diazepam Diazepam A benzodiazepine with anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, sedative, muscle relaxant, and amnesic properties and a long duration of action. Its actions are mediated by enhancement of gamma-aminobutyric acid activity. Benzodiazepines | Rápido | Prolongada |
|
Sim |
| Flurazepam Flurazepam A benzodiazepine derivative used mainly as a hypnotic. Benzodiazepines | Rápido | Prolongada | CYP3A4 CYP3A4 Class 3 Antiarrhythmic Drugs (Potassium Channel Blockers) | Sim |
| Lorazepam Lorazepam A benzodiazepine used as an anti-anxiety agent with few side effects. It also has hypnotic, anticonvulsant, and considerable sedative properties and has been proposed as a preanesthetic agent. Benzodiazepines | Intermédio | Intermédia | Glucoronidação | Não |
| Midazolam Midazolam A short-acting hypnotic-sedative drug with anxiolytic and amnestic properties. It is used in dentistry, cardiac surgery, endoscopic procedures, as preanesthetic medication, and as an adjunct to local anesthesia. The short duration and cardiorespiratory stability makes it useful in poor-risk, elderly, and cardiac patients. It is water-soluble at ph less than 4 and lipid-soluble at physiological pH. Benzodiazepines | Rápido | Curta | CYP3A4 CYP3A4 Class 3 Antiarrhythmic Drugs (Potassium Channel Blockers) | Sim |
| Oxazepam Oxazepam A benzodiazepine used in the treatment of anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, and insomnia. Benzodiazepines | Lento | Curta | Glucoronidação | Não |
| Temazepam Temazepam A benzodiazepine that acts as a gamma-aminobutyric acid modulator and anti-anxiety agent. Benzodiazepines | Lento | Intermédia | Glucoronidação | Não |
| Triazolam Triazolam A short-acting benzodiazepine used in the treatment of insomnia. Its use at lower doses with appropriate care and labeling has been reaffirmed by the fda and most other countries. Benzodiazepines | Rápido | Curta | CYP3A4 CYP3A4 Class 3 Antiarrhythmic Drugs (Potassium Channel Blockers) | Não |
As benzodiazepinas são depressoras do SNC. Portanto, são clinicamente úteis em situações onde é necessário um agente sedativo. A tabela abaixo aborda os fármacos individualmente e as suas indicações. De seguida encontram-se listadas as indicações gerais para a utilização destes fármacos:
| Fármaco | Formulação | Indicações |
|---|---|---|
| Alprazolam Alprazolam A triazolobenzodiazepine compound with antianxiety and sedative-hypnotic actions, that is efficacious in the treatment of panic disorders, with or without agoraphobia, and in generalized anxiety disorders. Benzodiazepines | Oral |
|
| Clordiazepóxido | Oral |
|
| Clonazepam Clonazepam An anticonvulsant used for several types of seizures, including myotonic or atonic seizures, photosensitive epilepsy, and absence seizures, although tolerance may develop. It is seldom effective in generalized tonic-clonic or partial seizures. The mechanism of action appears to involve the enhancement of gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor responses. Benzodiazepines | Oral |
|
| Clorazepato | Oral |
|
| Diazepam Diazepam A benzodiazepine with anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, sedative, muscle relaxant, and amnesic properties and a long duration of action. Its actions are mediated by enhancement of gamma-aminobutyric acid activity. Benzodiazepines |
|
|
| Flurazepam Flurazepam A benzodiazepine derivative used mainly as a hypnotic. Benzodiazepines | Oral | Insónia |
| Lorazepam Lorazepam A benzodiazepine used as an anti-anxiety agent with few side effects. It also has hypnotic, anticonvulsant, and considerable sedative properties and has been proposed as a preanesthetic agent. Benzodiazepines (Ativan®) |
|
|
| Midazolam Midazolam A short-acting hypnotic-sedative drug with anxiolytic and amnestic properties. It is used in dentistry, cardiac surgery, endoscopic procedures, as preanesthetic medication, and as an adjunct to local anesthesia. The short duration and cardiorespiratory stability makes it useful in poor-risk, elderly, and cardiac patients. It is water-soluble at ph less than 4 and lipid-soluble at physiological pH. Benzodiazepines (Versed®) |
|
|
| Oxazepam Oxazepam A benzodiazepine used in the treatment of anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, and insomnia. Benzodiazepines | Oral |
|
| Temazepam Temazepam A benzodiazepine that acts as a gamma-aminobutyric acid modulator and anti-anxiety agent. Benzodiazepines (Restoril®) | Oral | Insónia |
| Triazolam Triazolam A short-acting benzodiazepine used in the treatment of insomnia. Its use at lower doses with appropriate care and labeling has been reaffirmed by the fda and most other countries. Benzodiazepines (Halcion®) | Oral | Insónia |
Existem alguns pontos a ter em atenção na hora de considerar a prescrição de benzodiazepinas:
Estes fármacos raramente provocam overdose isoladamente. Quando combinadas com outras classes farmacológicas, como o álcool e opioides, há um risco muito maior de toxicidade.
A seguir encontram-se listadas as utilizações terapêuticas das benzodiazepinas: