Which benzodiazepine is described as long-acting in the material?

Which benzodiazepine is described as long-acting in the material?

• A. Diazepam (Valium)
• B. Lorazepam (Ativan)
• C. Midazolam
• D. Flumazenil

Answer: (A)

Long-acting benzodiazepines persist in the body because they have slower elimination and, often, active metabolites that continue to exert effects. Diazepam fits this pattern: it has a lengthy half-life and forms nordazepam, an active metabolite with its own long duration, so the overall effect can last for a day or more. That combination makes it the long-acting option described in the material. Midazolam, by contrast, is known for rapid onset and short duration, while flumazenil is a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist that reverses effects rather than producing sedation. Lorazepam is long-acting too, but in many texts it’s considered not as long-acting as diazepam, which is why the material labels diazepam as the long-acting one.

Long-acting benzodiazepines persist in the body because they have slower elimination and, often, active metabolites that continue to exert effects. Diazepam fits this pattern: it has a lengthy half-life and forms nordazepam, an active metabolite with its own long duration, so the overall effect can last for a day or more. That combination makes it the long-acting option described in the material. Midazolam, by contrast, is known for rapid onset and short duration, while flumazenil is a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist that reverses effects rather than producing sedation. Lorazepam is long-acting too, but in many texts it’s considered not as long-acting as diazepam, which is why the material labels diazepam as the long-acting one.