Benzodiazepines 200

Benzodiazepines are a class of drugs that are often therapeutically used as anxiolytics, anti-convulsants and sedative hypnotics. Benzodiazepines manifest their presence by analgesia, drowsiness, confusion, diminished reflexes, lowering of body temperature, respiratory depression, blockade of adrenocortical response, and a decrease in peripheral resistance without an impact on the cardiac index. The major pathways of elimination are the kidneys (urine) and the liver where it is conjugated to glucuronic acid. Large doses of Benzodiazepines could develop tolerances and physiological dependency and lead to its abuse. Only trace amounts (less than 1%) of Benzodiazepines are excreted unaltered in the urine, most of Benzodiazepines in urine is conjugated drug. Oxazepam, a common metabolite of many benzodiazepines, remains detectable in urine for up to one week, which makes Oxazepam a useful marker of Benzodiazepines abuse.