Valium
Diazepam, better known by the trade name Valium, is a benzodiazepine sedative drug.Like other benzodiazepines, it is used as a sedative in the treatment of anxiety, in psychoneurotic disorders and acute alcohol withdrawal.
It acts as a skeletal muscle relaxant and is therefore used in various spastic disorders and tetanus. It may be used to relieve spasticity and athetosis in patients with cerebral palsy.
It can be used as a preanesthetic medication, as a hypnotic, and for long-term sedation in intensive care.
It also has anticonvulsive properties and can be used in the treatment of status epilepticus.
Diazepam and its metabolites have a fairly long half-life compared to other benzodiazepines, about 100-200 hours. Longer half-life is associated with less risk of withdrawal and dependency, but also means that a dose taken for its hypnotic effect in the evening will still be active the following day.
Much more writing desirable: pharmacology, misuse potential
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