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GenericName: diazepam

Brand Name: Valium, Diastat

Drug Class:

Diazepam is an anti-anxiety medication in the benzodiazepine family, the same family that includes:

• alprazolam (Xanax)
• clonazepam (Klonopin)
• lorazepam (Ativan)
• flurazepam (Dalmane)
• and others.

Diazepam and other benzodiazepines act by enhancing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter (a chemical that nerve cells use to communicate with each other) that inhibits activity in the brain. It is believed that excessive activity in the brain may lead to anxiety or other psychiatric disorders.

Preparations: 

Tablets: 2, 5, and 10 mg. Solution: 5 mg/ml. Injection: 5 mg/ml. Rectal Gel: 2.5, 10, and 20 mg.

Recommended for:

• Diazepam is used for the treatment of anxiety disorders.
• Diazepam also is used for the treatment of
  • agitation
  • tremors
  • delirium
  • seizures
  • hallucinations resulting from alcohol withdrawal
• It is used for the treatment of seizures and relief of muscle spasms in some neurological diseases.

Dosage:

• Diazepam may be taken with or without food
• Diazepam is metabolized by the liver and excreted mainly by the kidney
• Dosages of diazepam may need to be lowered in patients with abnormal kidney function
• The usual oral diazepam dose is 2-10 mg given 2-4 times daily
• The usual rectal dose is 0.2-0.5 mg/kg and depends on the age of the patient.

Watch Video: Diazepam 

Last update Dec 24, 2009