Diazepam (Valium)

May 24, 2023

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Generic Name

Diazepam

Trade Name

Valium

Indication

Anxiety, pre-op sedation, conscious sedation, treatment of seizures, insomnia,
management of alcohol withdrawal

Action

Decreases the effects of voltage gated sodium channels to depresses the CNS

Therapeutic Class

Antianxiety agents, anticonvulsants, sedative/hypnotics, skeletal muscle relax-
ants (centrally acting)

Pharmacologic Class

Benzodiazepine

Nursing Considerations

• Contraindicated in hepatic dysfunction
• Use caution with renal impairment
• Can cause dizziness, drowsiness, lethargy, hypotension, physical depen-
dence, tolerance
• Instruct patient to take as directed
• Caution to avoid alcohol use
• Flumazenil (Romazicon) is the reversal agent