benzodiazepina

benzodiazepine

noun behn-soh-dyah-seh-PEE-nah Rare

Origin: From benzo- (benzene ring) + diazepine (a seven-membered ring with two nitrogens).

Usage Note

Benzodiazepina is a pharmacological term for a class of psychoactive drugs including diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax), used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and seizures. They act on GABA receptors in the brain. Colloquially called benzos in both Spanish and English.

Examples

"El médico recetó una benzodiazepina para la ansiedad."

Natural Translation

The doctor prescribed a benzodiazepine for anxiety.

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