Valium (Diazepam) 10mg by Rolche
Diazepam (daɪˈæzɨpæm/), first marketed as Valium (ˈvæliəm/) by Hoffmann-La Roche, is a benzodiazepine
drug. Diazepam is also marketed in Australia as Antenex. It is commonly used for
treating anxiety, insomnia,seizures including status epilepticus, muscle spasms (such as in cases of tetanus),
restless legs syndrome,alcohol withdrawal, benzodiazepine
withdrawal and Ménière's
disease. It may also be used before certain medical procedures (such as
endoscopies) to reduce tension and anxiety, and in some surgical procedures to
induce amnesia. It possesses anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, hypnotic, sedative, skeletal
muscle relaxant, andamnestic properties.The pharmacological action
of diazepam enhances the effect of the neurotransmitter GABAby
binding to the benzodiazepine site on the GABAA receptor (via the constituent chlorine
atom) leading to central nervous system depression
Adverse effects of diazepam include anterograde
amnesia (especially at higher doses) and sedation as well asparadoxical effects such
as excitement, rage or worsening of seizures in epileptics. Benzodiazepines
also can cause or worsen depression. Long-term effects of benzodiazepines such
as diazepam include tolerance, benzodiazepine dependence as well as a
benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome upon dose reduction; additionally after
cessation of benzodiazepines cognitive deficits
may persist for at least 6 months and may not fully return to normal, however
it was suggested that longer than 6 months may be needed for recovery from some
deficits.Diazepam also has physical dependence potential and can cause serious
problems of physical dependence with long term use. However, compared to other
benzodiazepines, physical withdrawal from diazepam following long term use is
usually far more mild due to its long elimination half life. Nevertheless,
urgent action by National Governments to improve prescribing practices has been
recommended.
Advantages of diazepam are a rapid onset of
action and high efficacy rates which is important for managing acute seizures,
anxiety attacks and panic attacks; benzodiazepines also have a relatively low
toxicity in overdose.Diazepam is a core medicine in the World Health
Organization's "Essential Drugs List",
which is a list of minimum medical needs for a basic health care system.
Diazepam was first synthesized by Leo Sternbach, is used to treat a wide range
of conditions, and has been one of the most frequently prescribed medications
in the world since its launch in 1963.
MEDICAL USES:
Diazepam is mainly used to treat anxiety,
insomnia, and symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawal. It is also used as a premedication
for inducing sedation, anxiolysis or
amnesia before certain medical procedures (e.g., endoscopy).
Intravenous diazepam or lorazepam are first
line treatments for status epilepticus; However, lorazepam has advantages over
diazepam including a higher rate of terminating seizures and a more prolonged
anticonvulsant effect.Diazepam is rarely used for the long-term treatment of
epilepsy because tolerance to the anticonvulsant effects of diazepam usually
develops within 6 to 12 months of treatment, effectively rendering it useless
for that purpose. Diazepam is used for the emergency treatment of eclampsia,
when IV magnesium sulfate and blood pressure control measures have failed.
Benzodiazepines do not have any pain relieving properties of themselves and are
generally recommended to be avoided in individuals with pain. However,
benzodiazepines such as diazepam can be used for their muscle relaxant
properties to alleviate pain which is caused by muscle spasms,
caused by various dystonias, including blepharospasmTolerance often develops to
the muscle relaxant effects of benzodiazepines such as diazepam. Baclofenor
tizanidine is sometimes used as an alternative to diazepam. Tizanidine has been
found to be equally effective as other antispasmodic drugs and have superior
tolerability than baclofen and diazepam.
The anticonvulsant effects of diazepam, can
help in the treatment of seizures, due to a drug overdose or chemical toxicity
as a result of exposure to sarin, VX, soman (or other organophosphate poisons;
See #CANA), lindane, chloroquine, physostigmine, or pyrethroids Diazepam is
sometimes used intermittently for the prophylaxis of febrile seizures which
occur as a result of a high fever in children and neonates under 5 years of
age.Long-term use of diazepam for the management of epilepsy is not recommended;
however, a subgroup individuals with treatment resistant epilepsy benefit from
long-term benzodiazepines and for such individuals clorazepate has been
recommended due to its slower onset of tolerance to the anticonvulsant effects.
Diazepam has a broad spectrum of indications
(most of which are off-label), including:
·
Treatment of anxiety, panic attacks,
and states of agitation
·
Treatment of neurovegetative symptoms
associated with vertigo
·
Treatment of the symptoms of alcohol, opiate
and benzodiazepine
withdrawal
·
Short-term treatment of insomnia
·
Treatment of tetanus, together with other
measures of intensive-treatment
·
Adjunctive treatment of spastic muscular
paresis (para-/tetraplegia) caused by cerebral or spinal cord conditions such
as stroke, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury (long-term treatment is
coupled with other rehabilitative measures)
·
Palliative treatment of stiff person syndrome
·
Pre-/postoperative sedation, anxiolysis and/or
amnesia (e.g., before endoscopic or
surgical procedures)
·
Treatment of complications with a hallucinogen
crisis and stimulant overdoses and psychosis, such as LSD,
cocaine, or methamphetamine.
·
Prophylactic treatment of oxygen toxicity during hyperbaric
oxygen therapy
Dosages should be determined on an individual
basis, depending upon the condition to be treated, the severity of symptoms,
the body weight of the patient, and any comorbid conditions the patient may
have.
