What are they?
Benzodiazepines are a family of prescription drugs that are used mainly to relieve anxiety and to help people sleep. These are sedative drugs, which reduce activity in certain parts of your brain, resulting in a calming effect.Other uses of benzodiazepines include:

Inducing sedation for surgical and other medical procedures

Treatment of alcohol withdrawal

Controlling seizures

Relaxation of skeletal muscles, such as the back and neck.

Because they are safer and equally effective, benzodiazepines have replaced older drugs with similar effects. There are currently over 50 benzodiazepines in use throughout the world; 14 of these are available in Canada. In Canada and the United States, benzodiazepines are available legally only by prescription.

For more information on benzodiazepines, click here.