SINCE 1828
benzodiazepine
noun
ben·zo·di·az·e·pine
| \ ˌben-zō-dī-ˈa-zə-ˌpēn
\
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Definition of benzodiazepine
: any of a group of aromatic lipophilic amines (such as diazepam and chlordiazepoxide) used especially as tranquilizers
Examples of benzodiazepine in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
If your drug plan decides your use of prescription opioids and benzodiazepines may not be safe, the plan may limit your coverage for those drugs. — Bob Moos, Dallas News, "Medicare grows stricter on opioids," 7 June 2019 According to the Mayo Clinic, the benzodiazepine clonazepam helps reduce the number of REM sleep behavior episodes some people experience. — Cassie Shortsleeve, SELF, "9 Types of Parasomnias That Might Explain That Weird Thing You Do When You Sleep," 5 June 2019 In addition to this psychological reliance, people can develop a tolerance to and chemical dependence on benzodiazepines. — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "Lena Dunham Says She's 6 Months Sober After Years of 'Misusing' Her Anti-Anxiety Medication," 30 Oct. 2018 The next-best treatment for most people would be an antidepressant or a low dose of a benzodiazepine. — Carolyn L. Todd, SELF, "There’s an Anxiety Drug Shortage—Here’s What You Need to Know," 11 Feb. 2019 Although old-guard quaaludes aren't among the substances screened, the device takes aim at the class of benzodiazepines most typically slipped into drinks today—including Valium, Xanax, and Rohypnol (or roofies). — Laura Regensdorf, Vogue, "Now, There's a Date-Rape Drug Test that Screens Your Drink in Under a Minute," 8 Sep. 2018 By the 1980s, stronger benzodiazepines (e.g. Ativan and Xanax) prescribed for anxiety disorders were also made available to help overwhelmed women. — Hayley Krischer, Marie Claire, "How Heroin Came for Middle-Class Moms," 20 Aug. 2018 As a result, more people are becoming addicted to benzodiazepines and falling victim to overdose. — Dennis Thompson, baltimoresun.com, "Xanax, Valium looking like America's next drug crisis," 14 Mar. 2018 According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, more than 30% of opioid overdose cases also involve benzodiazepines. — Mark Lieber, CNN, "Drop in new opioid prescriptions to benzodiazepine patients could reduce overdoses, study suggests," 13 Apr. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'benzodiazepine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for benzodiazepine
benzodiazepine
noun
ben·zo·di·az·e·pine
| \ ˌben-zō-dī-ˈaz-ə-ˌpēn
\
\
Medical Definition of benzodiazepine
: any of a group of aromatic lipophilic amines (as diazepam and chlordiazepoxide) used especially as tranquilizers
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