What are benzodiazepines?
Benzodiazepines are a group of drugs called minor tranquillisers, often known as ‘benzos’. These drugs are prescribed by a doctor to help people with anxiety or sleep problems. There are about 30 different types (called the ‘generic’ names) of benzodiazepines. Each one of these generic name drugs may be sold under several different brand names – all the same drug, but made by different companies.

The table below shows some of the different generic and brand names of benzodiazepines.

Some slang names for benzodiazepines include ‘benzos’, ‘rowies’, ‘serries’, ‘moggies’, ‘vals’, ‘V’,‘normies’, ‘downers’, ‘tranks’ and ‘sleepers’.

Some people use benzodiazepines without a prescription from a doctor. This is illegal and can be very dangerous.

How are benzodiazepines used?
Benzodiazepines slow down the workings of the brain and the central nervous system. They are used medically to reduce anxiety, to help people sleep and to relax the body. They should only be prescribed for short periods of time. This is because it is possible to become dependent on them after as little as four weeks’ use as directed by a doctor (see ‘Tolerance and dependence’ on page 2 in this Fact Sheet).
Different types of benzodiazepines work in the body for different lengths of time. They come in the form of tablets or capsules.
Some people inject benzodiazepines and/or use them at the same time as they use heroin, alcohol or other drugs. This can be very dangerous and can cause an overdose or death.
Injecting benzodiazepines, that are intended to be swallowed in tablet/capsule form, can also cause severe damage to veins, leading to loss of limbs from poor circulation, organ damage or stroke.

Effects of benzodiazepines
What benzodiazepines do to you depends on:

• how many tablets and what dose you take
• your height and weight
• your general health
• your mood
• your past experience with benzodiazepines
• whether you use benzodiazepines on their own or with other drugs
• whether you use alone or with others, at home or at a party etc
• route of administration.