Benzodiazepines are drugs that have a sedative or hypnotic effect. Benzodiazepines are often used to treat anxiety disorders, seizures and muscle spasms. These prescription drugs are sold under the brand names Klonopin, Xanax, Valium and Ativan.http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000401/2121.html

Benzodiazepine has an effect on the central nervous system and has a sedative effect. The class of drug works to "suppress the function of the central nervous system by potentiating the actions of GABA, an important inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.http://books.google.com/books?id=F4-IdTewurIC&pg=PA84&lpg=PA84&dq=benzodiazepine+central+nervous&source=bl&ots=mPnmTR9hwP&sig=YLdNubzyJ2YFyxTTFdl2fsnzS2Y&hl=en&ei=HUqYSrnCHuaf8Qbq99mjBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9#v=onepage&q=benzodiazepine%20central%20nervous&f=falsehttp://www.usdoj.gov/dea/concern/benzodiazepines.html

In addition to acute propofol intoxication, the benzodiazepine effect was cited as a factor in Michael Jackson's death. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-jackson29-2009aug29,0,2340864.story