Which benzodiazepines are considered short-acting?

The classification of benzodiazepines into short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting categories is based on their half-lives and duration of effect. In this context, the selection that includes alprazolam, oxazepam, and triazolam is indeed recognized as short-acting.

Alprazolam has a relatively short half-life of about 6 to 12 hours, which contributes to its rapid onset and shorter duration. Oxazepam is also characterized by a short half-life and is frequently prescribed for its efficacy in treating anxiety with a quicker resolution. Triazolam is one of the benzodiazepines with the shortest action, making it commonly used for sleep induction due to its rapid onset and quick elimination from the body.

In contrast, other options contain benzodiazepines with longer duration effects. For instance, diazepam and clonazepam have longer half-lives and are thus classified as long-acting benzodiazepines. Understanding these distinctions is vital for appropriate prescribing, as short-acting benzodiazepines are often preferred for acute anxiety episodes or insomnia, whereas longer-acting ones may be utilized for chronic anxiety management or seizure disorders.