Nonbarbiturate Sedatives and Hypnotics — Benzodiazepine Derivatives

Flurazepam (Dalmane), temazepam (Restoril), and triazolam (Halcion) are all marketed as hypnotic agents, but other benzodiazepine derivatives are also effective as hypnotic agents (Table 65.1). 

Benzodiazepines Active Metabolites Half-Life Marketed As 

Note Benzodiazepines have only a limited capacity to produce profound and potentially fatal CNS depression. Although coma may be produced at very high doses, benzodiazepines cannot induce a state of surgical anesthesia by themselves and are virtually incapable of causing fatal respiratory depression or cardiovascular collapse unless other CNS depressants also are present. Because of this measure of safety, benzodiazepines have substantially replaced older agents for the treatment of insomnia or anxiety. 

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