Abstract
Clobazam, clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam, and midazolam are benzodiazepines with antiseizure activity. They act by increasing the opening frequency of gamma-aminobutyric acid-activated chloride channels resulting in enhanced inhibitory neurotransmission. The duration of the antiepileptic effect depends on their half-life, rate of absorption, and lipophilicity. The concomitant administration of enzyme-inducing or inhibiting drugs can modify the metabolism of benzodiazepines. Their most common side effects are systemic adverse effects and central nervous system toxicity. Intravenous diazepam, lorazepam, and midazolam are effective first-line treatments of status epilepticus. Clobazam and clonazepam are mostly used as an adjunctive treatment for difficult-to-treat seizures.
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Brigo, F., Lattanzi, S. (2022). Anti-convulsant Agents: Benzodiazepines (Clobazam, Clonazepam, Diazepam, Lorazepam, Midazolam). In: Riederer, P., Laux, G., Nagatsu, T., Le, W., Riederer, C. (eds) NeuroPsychopharmacotherapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-62059-2_440
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