benzodiazepine Chem. and Pharm.
(bɛnzəʊdaɪˈæzəpiːn)
[f. benzo- + di-2 + azo- + -epine, suffix denoting a seven-membered ring containing nitrogen, (f. hepta- + -ine5).]
Any compound whose molecule contains a benzene ring fused to a seven-membered ring containing two nitrogen atoms; spec. any of a group of such compounds used as hypnotics and anxiolytics and sometimes causing psychological dependence.
| 1934 Chem. Abstr. XXVIII. 8031 C6-C5N2 Benzodiazepine. 1960 Jrnl. Pharmacol. & Exper. Therap. CXXIX. 163/1 Methaminodiazepoxide HCl (Librium HCl) is a psychosedative drug of a new chemical type... Methaminodiazepoxide..is 7-chloro-2-methylamino-5-phenyl-3H-1,4-benzodiazepine 4-oxide hydrochloride. 1961 Current Therapeutic Res. III. 424 Valium is a new psychotherapeutic agent in the 1,4-benzodiazepine class. 1968 Chem. Rev. LXVIII. 748/1 The 1,4-benzodiazepines form the most extensively explored group in this series, largely owing to the discovery of their interesting biological activity, which has led to the introduction of four drugs... The 1,5-benzodiazepines have been thoroughly studied during a period of several decades, largely because of their relatively easy synthesis. 1976 Lancet 30 Oct. 936/2 Barbiturates or benzodiazepines were given to ensure sleep during the preceding night. 1984 A. Smith Mind iv. xiv. 265 Over sixty million prescriptions for benzodiazepines are filled in annually. |