Abstract

FERNANDEZ GARCIA, Ariana; GONZALEZ VINA, Abraham  and  PENA MACHADO, María de los Ángeles. Bases científicas para el uso de las benzodiazepinas. Rev Cubana Med Gen Integr [online]. 2003, vol.19, n.1, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1561-3038.

Benzodiazepines provide a degree of safety that has caused the replacement of ancient drugs for the treatment of insomnia and anxiety. We made a literature review to make reference to some benzodiazepines available at present and also to their pharmacological characteristics and uses, with the objective of applying them rationally and adequately. Benzodiazepines are characterized by their quadruple pharmacological effect (anti-anxiety, sedative or hypnotic, anti-convulsive and miorelaxing). These four components of their effect are present in varied proportions, which determines the action profile of each drug. We refer in this article to the two first effects since anxiety and insomnia are frequent symptoms for self-medication and for going to the doctor's in the primary health care. The therapeutic possibilities of benzodiazepines are related to their pharmacological actions, mechanisms and pharmacokinetics. These drugs are a valuable tool but it should be borne in mind that they have side effects like drug-dependence.

Keywords : SLEEP INITIATION AND MAINTENANCE DISORDERS [drug therapy]; ANTI-ANXIETY AGENTS, BENZODIAZEPINE [pharmacology]; ANTI-ANXIETY AGENTS, BENZODIAZEPINE [pharmacokinetics]; ANTI-ANXIETY AGENTS, BENZODIAZEPINE [therapeutic use]; PRIMARY HEALTH CARE.