Benzodiazepine is a medication.
Benzodiazepines ( BZD , BZs ) , sometimes called `` benzos '' , are a class of psychoactive drugs whose core chemical structure is the fusion of a benzene ring and a diazepine ring . The first such drug , chlordiazepoxide ( Librium ) , was discovered accidentally by Leo Sternbach in 1955 , and made available in 1960 by Hoffmann -- La Roche , which , since 1963 , has also marketed the benzodiazepine diazepam ( Valium ) . In 1977 benzodiazepines were globally the most prescribed medications . The elderly are at an increased risk of suffering from both short - and long-term adverse effects , and as a result , all benzodiazepines are listed in the Beers List of inappropriate medications for older adults . Benzodiazepine dependence or benzodiazepine addiction is when one has developed one or more of either tolerance , withdrawal symptoms , drug seeking behaviors , such as continued use despite harmful effects , and maladaptive pattern of substance use , according to the DSM-IV .