File:Diazepam_structure.svg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons
diazepam
Sign in to saveAlso known as Diastat®, LA-III, Valium®, WY-3467, Methyl diazepinone, 7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one
Diazepam, sold under the brand name Valium among others, is a medication of the benzodiazepine family that acts as an anxiolytic. It is used to treat a range of conditions, including anxiety, seizures, alcohol withdrawal syndrome, muscle spasms, insomnia, and restless legs syndrome. It may also be used to cause memory loss during certain medical procedures. It can be taken orally (by mouth), as a suppository inserted into the rectum, intramuscularly (injected into muscle), intravenously (injection into a vein) or used as a nasal spray. When injected intravenously, effects begin in one to five
Diazepam, commonly known by the brand name Valium, is a medication that reduces anxiety and can treat conditions like seizures, muscle spasms, insomnia, and alcohol withdrawal. It matters because it works quickly and can be delivered through multiple methods—including pills, injections, and nasal spray—making it useful for both routine treatment and urgent medical situations.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Key facts
- Drug.Verifiedfields
- changed
- Drug.Watchedfields
- changed
- Drug.verifiedrevid
- 443634166
- Drug.image
- Diazepam structure.svg
- Drug.image_class
- skin-invert-image
- Drug.width
- 200
- Drug.image2
- Diazepam-from-xtal-3D-balls.png
- Drug.image_class2
- bg-transparent
- Drug.tradename
- Valium, others
- Drug.MedlinePlus
- a682047
- Drug.DailyMedID
- Diazepam
- Drug.pregnancy_AU
- C
- Drug.dependency_liability
- High
- Drug.addiction_liability
- Moderate
- Drug.routes_of_administration
- Oral, intramuscular, intravenous, rectal, intranasal, buccal
- Drug.class
- Benzodiazepine
- Drug.ATC_prefix
- N05
- Drug.ATC_suffix
- BA01
via Wikipedia infobox
Chemical data
- Formula
- C16H13ClN2O
- Molecular weight
- 284.74 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- 7-chloro-1-methyl-5-phenyl-3H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one
- SMILES
- CN1C(=O)CN=C(C2=C1C=CC(=C2)Cl)C3=CC=CC=C3
- InChIKey
- AAOVKJBEBIDNHE-UHFFFAOYSA-N
- XLogP
- 3
- Polar surface area
- 32.7 Ų
- H-bond donors
- 0
- H-bond acceptors
- 2
- Formal charge
- 0
via PubChem
Research
28,056 papers- Comparison of the actions of diazepam and lorazepam.British journal of anaesthesia · 1979Dundee JW, McGowan WA, Lilburn JK et al.DOI: 10.1093/bja/51.5.439
- Diazepam in the Elderly: Looking Back, Ahead, and at the Evidence.Journal of clinical psychopharmacology · 2020Greenblatt DJ, Harmatz JS, Shader RIDOI: 10.1097/JCP.0000000000001213
- Diazepam and breathlessness.Lancet (London, England) · 1980
- Diazepam in the treatment of organophosphorus ester pesticide poisoning.ReviewToxicological reviews · 2003Marrs TCDOI: 10.2165/00139709-200322020-00002
- Safety and efficacy of diazepam autoinjector for the management of epilepsy.ReviewExpert review of neurotherapeutics · 2015Verrotti A, Milioni M, Zaccara GDOI: 10.1586/14737175.2015.1003043
- Diazepam (Valium): its dependency liability.ReviewThe Journal of psychology · 1990Murray JBDOI: 10.1080/00223980.1990.10543259
- Diazepam and breast-feeding.Lancet (London, England) · 1972Erkkola R, Kanto JDOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(72)90954-3
- [Diazepam in obstetrics].ReviewDuodecim; laaketieteellinen aikakauskirja · 1973Erkkola R, Kanto J
via PubMed
Wikidata facts
- Mass
- 284.072
- Image
- Diazepam structure.svg
Show 6 more facts
- Commons category
- Diazepam
- chemical formula
- C₁₆H₁₃ClN₂O
- canonical SMILES
- CN1C(=O)CN=C(C2=C1C=CC(=C2)Cl)C3=CC=CC=C3
- stylized name
- diazePAM
- defined daily dose
- 10
- World Health Organisation international non-proprietary name
- diazepamum
Sources (12)
via Wikidata · CC0
~38 min read
Article
32 sectionsContents
- Medical uses
- Seizures
- Alcohol withdrawal
- Other
- Availability
- Contraindications
- Abuse and special populations
- Adverse effects
- Tolerance and withdrawal
- Dependence
- Overdose
- Interactions
- Pharmacology
- Mechanism of action
- Pharmacokinetics
- Synthesis
- Detection in body fluids
- Environmental
- Chemistry
- History
- Society and culture
- Recreational use
- Legal status
- International
- UK
- Germany
- Australia
- United States
- Veterinary uses
- References
- Further reading
- External links
Diazepam, sold under the brand name Valium among others, is a medication of the benzodiazepine family that acts as an anxiolytic. It is used to treat a range of conditions, including anxiety, seizures, alcohol withdrawal syndrome, muscle spasms, insomnia, and restless legs syndrome. It may also be used to cause memory loss during certain medical procedures. It can be taken orally (by mouth), as a suppository inserted into the rectum, intramuscularly (injected into muscle), intravenously (injection into a vein) or used as a nasal spray. When injected intravenously, effects begin in one to five minutes and last up to an hour. When taken by mouth, effects begin after 15 to 60 minutes.
Common side effects include sleepiness and trouble with coordination. Serious side effects are rare. They include increased risk of suicide, decreased breathing, and a paradoxical increased risk of seizures if used too frequently in those with epilepsy. Occasionally, excitement or agitation may occur. Long-term use can result in tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal symptoms on dose reduction. Abrupt stopping after long-term use can be potentially dangerous. After stopping, cognitive problems may persist for six months or longer. It is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Its mechanism of action works by increasing the effect of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).