MONOGRAPHS OF THE MARIO NEGRI INSTITUTE FOR PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH

This monograph presents a comprehensive survey of the benzodiazepines, the class of drugs which includes many of today's most useful tranquilizers. 2 of these compounds, chlordiazepoxide and diazepam are among the most frequently prescribed drugs in medical practice. In addition to their tranquilizing actions, some of these agents, notably diazepam, have been shown to possess anticonvulsant activity. These compounds have been reviewed in this book by a distinguished group of biochemists, pharmacologists, and clinical and experimental psychologists. The volume opens with studies of the chemistry, metabolism, distribution, and general pharmacology of the drugs. Then clinically relevant actions of the compounds are reviewed, such as antianxiety effects, antiaggression effects, anticonvulsant effects, use in alcohol withdrawal states, effects on sleep, and muscle relaxation. The volume closes with reviews of the complex interactions of the benzodiazepines with other commonly prescribed drugs.