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Drugs and Medicinal Substances

Diazepam

Nervous System Agents

Diazepam, sold under the brand name Valium among others, is a medication of the benzodiazepine family that acts as an anxiolytic.

Facts
Drug Class
Benzodiazepine (anxiolytic) 1
Mechanism of Action
Acts as a positive allosteric modulator of GABA type A receptors, enhancing chloride ion influx and reducing neuronal excitability. 1
Approved Use
Treats anxiety and related conditions as an anxiolytic. 1
First Approved / Isolated Year
1963 1
Significant Risk
Sleepiness and impaired coordination; increased suicide risk and respiratory depression; long-term use can cause tolerance, dependence and withdrawal. 1
Classification
Approval Status
Approved 1
ATC ClassSourced to the subject's own account
N: Nervous System 2
Route of Administration
Rectal 3
WHO Essential MedicineSourced to the subject's own account
Core List 4
Connections

Treats

Anxiety Disorder, Conditions
Source Diazepam (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Diazepam (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation
  • Lead section
    acts as an anxiolytic
  • Infobox, drug class
    Benzodiazepine
  • Mechanism of action section
    positive allosteric modulator of GABA type A receptors
  • History section
    1963 (released in the United States)
  • Adverse effects section
    Long-term use can result in tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal symptoms on dose reduction
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diazepam, lead section
    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.
  • Regulatory approval status
View the Source
2. Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System (Wikipedia)
WikipediaFirst-level anatomical group codes, Code N
Quote, First-level anatomical group codes, Code N
Nervous system
View the Source
3. Wikipedia
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia Foundation
4. WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (Wikipedia)
WikipediaWHO Model List of Essential Medicines, Medicines for anxiety disorders section
Quote, WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, Medicines for anxiety disorders section
Diazepam
View the Source
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