Diazepam is a long-acting oral and parenteral benzodiazepine.
Diazepam is similar to chlordiazepoxide and clorazepate in that all three generate the same active metabolite. Diazepam is used orally for the short-term management of anxiety disorders and acute alcohol withdrawal, and as a skeletal muscle relaxant. Parenterally, it is indicated as an antianxiety agent, sedative, amnestic, anticonvulsant, skeletal muscle relaxant, anesthetic adjunct, and as a treatment for alcohol withdrawal. In addition to treating status epilepticus, diazepam has recently been shown effective in preventing recurrence of febrile seizures. Although diazepam has been the benzodiazepine of choice for status epilepticus, recent evidence indicates that lorazepam may be more beneficial because it provides longer control of seizures and produces less cardiorespiratory depression.