Diazepam (Valium)

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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