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Diazepam (diazepam)

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data

Overview

Diazepam is a benzodiazepine. The drug has anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, sedative, and skeletal muscle relaxant properties.

USES: Diazepam is used to treat anxiety, muscle spasms, and alcohol withdrawal. The injection form is used when prompt relief is desired or when the medication cannot be taken by mouth. This medication is also used short-term to treat serious seizures that do not stop (status epilepticus).

It is not for ongoing daily use to prevent seizures. Diazepam is also used before a surgery or procedure to cause drowsiness, decrease anxiety, and to help the patient forget what happened during the surgery/procedure. Diazepam belongs to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines.

It works by calming the brain and nerves.

Generic name: diazepam
Pronunciation: (dye-AZ-e-pam)

Reference product & biosimilars

No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.

Today’s intelligence on Diazepam

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Indications

The following indications are listed for Diazepam:

  • Acute Repetitive Seizures
  • Alcohol Withdrawal Delirium
  • Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome
  • Anxiety
  • Induce Anterograde Amnesia
  • Muscle Spasm
  • Preoperative Anxiety
  • Sedation
  • Status Epilepticus
  • Tetanus

Also known as: Acute Alcohol Withdrawal, Anxiety Associated With Surgery, Cluster Seizures, Delirium Tremens, Etoh Withdrawal, Induced State Of Calm Relaxation, Infectious Disease With Painful Voluntary Muscle Spasms, Involuntary Muscle Contraction, Muscle Spasticity, Pre-Op Anxiety, Pre-Operative Anxiety, Repetitive Seizure, Serial Seizures, Skeletal Muscle Spasm, Spasticity.

Dosing

Dosage of diazepam must be individualized, and the smallest effective dosage should be used (especially in geriatric or debilitated patients or in those with liver disease or low serum albumin) to avoid oversedation. The doses recommended by the manufacturers for IM and IV administration are identical. When parenteral diazepam is used with an opiate analgesic, the dosage of the opiate should be reduced by at least one-third and administered in small increments. Because of the unpredictable response of children to CNS drugs, diazepam therapy should be initiated with the lowest dosage and increased as required. Since diazepam and its metabolites have long elimination half-lives, time to reach steady-state plasma concentrations should be considered when dosage adjustments are made.

In patients who have received prolonged (e.g., for several months) diazepam therapy, abrupt discontinuance of the drug should be avoided since manifestations of withdrawal can be precipitated; if the drug is to be discontinued in such patients, it is recommended that dosage be gradually tapered. It is particularly important that the drugs not be discontinued abruptly in patients with a history of a seizure disorder since seizures may be precipitated.

Diazepam is administered orally, by IV or IM injection, or rectally.

Drug interactions

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

Contraindications

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

Adverse reactions

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

Precautions

No enhanced messaging available.

ICD codes

No ICD codes are available for this drug.

Formulary status

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data