Among the common benzodiazepines that are used in anesthesia today are three: namely diazepam, midazolam and lorazepam.
Benzodiazepines produce varying degree of anxiolysis, sedation, anticonvulsant actions and anterograde amnesia.
Benzodiazepines also produce some degree of skeletal muscle relaxation but that is not sufficient for surgical procedures; and they also do not decrease the dose requirements for neuromuscular-blocking drugs.
They are frequently used for treatment of anxiety and insomnia in clinical practice.
Benzodiazepines produce less incidence of tolerance, with less abuse potentiality. Unlike barbiturates, common benzodiazepines do not induce hepatic microsomal enzymes.