The review article describes the general characteristics and classification of benzodiazepines, methods of quantitative determination and their area of nitended usage. The effects of benzodiazepines on γ-aminobutyric acid receptors and safety issues are discussed. Information on the pharmacology, metabolism and pharmacogenetics of benzodiazepines is provided. Screening and quantitative methods for determining benzodiazepines, including extraction methods, are presented. In a comparative aspect, the main methods for the quantitative determination of benzodiazepines, enzyme immunoassay and high-performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry, are described.

Keywords: mass spectrometric detection, chromatography, kinetic parameters, benzodiazepines