Quazepam

**Semantic type:** Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** A synthetic benzodiazepine derivative with anxiolytic, sedative and hypnotic properties. Quazepam and its major metabolite 2-oxoquazepam potentiate gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) activity by binding to the benzodiazepine-1 recognition site (BZ-1) within the GABA-A receptor, located in the limbic, neocortical and mesencephalic reticular system. This increases the frequency of GABA-activated chloride channel opening events, allowing the flow of chloride ions into the neuron leading to membrane hyperpolarization and decreased neuronal excitability.

**Synonyms:** - 2H-1,4-Benzodiazepine-2-thione, 7-chloro-5-(2-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dihydro-1-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)- - Doral - Dormalin - QUAZEPAM - Selepam