Diazepam (Diazepam)
Overview of Diazepam
Diazepam is a 1,4-benzodiazipine. A substituent in the 7th position such as halogen or a nitro group is required for its sedative, hypnotic activity. Benzdiazipines are the most widely used anxiolytic drugs. The benzodiazipines are more effective and safer. They have largely replaced barbiturates and meprobamate in the treatemnt of anxiety. Diazepam is also useful in reducing muscletone in spasticity and as an anticonvulsant.
Indication of Diazepam
Diazepam is primarily indicated in conditions like Agitation, Alcohol withdrawal, Amnesia induction, Anxiety, Chloroquine overdose, Dyspnoea associated with anxiety in palliative care, Flare with initial gonadorelin therapy, Herpes zoster, Insomnia, Minor surgical and medical procedures, Muscle spasm (acute), Muscle spasm in palliative care, Muscular spasm, Partial seizures, Premedication, Sedation induction, Severe acute anxiety, Severely emetognic chemotherapy, Status epilepticus, Tetanus, Tonic-clonic seizures, Treatment of acute migraine attacks, and can also be given in adjunctive therapy as an alternative drug of choice in Acute diarrhoea, All forms of epilepsy, Bone pain in neoplastic disease, Hypercalcaemia of malignancy, Influenza A, Muscle spasm of varied aeitology, Myoclonus, Prevention and treatment of corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis.
Contraindication of Diazepam
Diazepam is contraindicated in conditions like Myasthenia gravis.
Side Effects of Diazepam
Diazepam produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Blood dyscrasias, Respiratory arrest, Cardiac Arrest. which are responsible for the discontinuation of Diazepam therapy.,The signs and symptoms that are produced after the acute overdosage of Diazepam include Apnea, Coma, Drowsiness, Confusion, Areflexia, Reduced reflexes, Cardiorespiratory depression.,The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Diazepam are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Dizziness, Headache, Fatigue, Excitement, Ataxia, Nausea, Anxiety, Tachycardia, Skin rashesX, Constipation, Insomnia, Blurred vision, Urinary retensionX, Confusion, Hematuria, VertigoX, Hallucination, Sleep disturbance, Hypotension, Depression, Flushing, Muscle weakness, Tremor, Diplopia, Phlebitis, SomnolenceX, Slurred speech, Euphoria, Faintness, Hypoactivity, Dysarthria, Impairment of memory, Changes in libido, Pain at injection site, Poor appetite.
Precautions of Diazepam
Perform periodic blood counts and liver function tests during long term therapy with diazepam. Diazepam should be used with caution in patients if increased salivation cause respiratory difficulty, because it may produce an increase in salivation. Give least amount of drug to patients in whom depression accompanies anxiety and suicidal tendencies may be present. It should be used with caution (if it contains tartrazine) in patients with aspirin hypersensitivity because it may cause allergic reaction (including bronchial asthma).