Benzodiazepines: Mechanism of Action and Side Effects • Decr spinal cord activity -> Muscle relaxant • Decr amygdala-centered circuit activity -> Decr fear, Decr panic and Decr phobia • Decr cerebral cortex activity -> Decr seizures, hypnotic Side Effects: - Anterograde amnesia, confusion - Ataxia, slurred speech, weakness - Dependence, tolerance - Overdose - Rare unless co-ingestion with other CNS depressant -> Respiratory Depression #Benzodiazepines #Psychiatry #Pharmacology #pathophysiology
