ReadYourDNA

Benzodiazepines (class)

Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.

About Benzodiazepines

What it is

Benzodiazepines are a class of medicines that strengthen the calming effect of GABA at GABA-A receptors in the brain. The class includes diazepam, lorazepam, alprazolam, clonazepam, midazolam and many others, used for anxiety, panic, insomnia, seizures, alcohol withdrawal and sedation before procedures. Dependence and withdrawal can develop with regular use. This page collects studies on benzodiazepines as a group.

How genes come into it

The studies listed for the class looked at GAL (galanin) and OPRM1, the latter in people also taking opioids. Individual benzodiazepines differ in how they are cleared: diazepam and clobazam depend partly on CYP2C19, alprazolam and midazolam on CYP3A4, and lorazepam on UGT enzymes, as described on their own pages. There is no CPIC or DPWG guideline.

What research found

Every published finding on gene variants and Benzodiazepines. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.

Rated evidence (2 rated variants)

PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.

GAL rs948854: Level 3. Efficacy: Major Depressive Disorder. 1.

OPRM1 rs1799971: Level 3. Toxicity: Cardiac Arrest, Overdose, Respiratory Insufficiency. 1.

Response (1 finding)

Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.

GAL rs948854: Allele C is associated with decreased response to antidepressants, benzodiazepine derivatives, mirtazapine or Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in women Depressive Disorder, Major as compared to allele T.

Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.

Related Drugs

More drugs from the same category

Ativan (Benzodiazepines)

Byfavo (Benzodiazepines)

Onfi (Benzodiazepines)

Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.

Back to Medications

Content updated September 2026.

ReadYourDNA provides educational interpretation of DNA data you already have. It is not diagnostic, not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to a clinician before acting on any result.

Raw DNA Data Reports for 23andMe & AncestryDNA · About ReadYourDNA · FAQ · Methodology & Science · Pricing · Support and complaints · Legal & Contact · Health Traits · Pharmacogenomics · Carrier Status · Variant Explorer · The Human Karyotype · Privacy Policy · Terms of Service · Accessibility · Consumer Health Data Privacy · Your Privacy Choices · Editorial Standards · Your Data, Checkable · Sample Report · ReadYourDNA and Promethease compared · What is inside a 23andMe raw data file · What is inside an AncestryDNA raw data file · What a chatbot can and cannot do with your raw DNA file · Where a raw DNA file can still be uploaded in 2026

Written, maintained and operated by Martin Pechhacker, sole proprietor, Vienna, Austria. Trade register GISA 40064420. support@readyourdna.com