Benzodiazepines

DERIVATIVES of the 1,4-benzodiazepine nucleus (Fig. 1) are among the most widely used drugs in clinical medicine. In 1972 more than 77 million prescriptions for benzodiazepine antianxiety agents were filled in American retail pharmacies, of which two thirds were for diazepam. Another four million prescriptions were filled for flurazepam, a hypnotic agent. The total expenditure exceeded 200 million dollars. Benzodiazepines also are extensively administered to hospitalized patients. In two Boston teaching hospitals monitored by the Boston Collaborative Drug Surveillance Program in 1973, 30 per cent of all medical inpatients received diazepam, and 32 per cent received flurazepam.Five benzodiazepine derivatives . . .