Diazepam

Diazepam (brand names: Valium, Dialar, Diazemuls, Diazepam Desitin, Diazepam RecTubes, Stesolid and Tensium) is a benzodiazepine. It acts to reduce anxiety (as an anxiolytic medication). 

It is made mostly to treat anxiety, certain forms of epilepsy, muscle spasms (seizures), fits, and sleeping problems. It can also be taken to help people relax before an operation or other medical or dental treatments. This is known as a pre-med. Compared to similar medications, its half-life is on the longer end.

It works by increasing the levels of a calming chemical in the brain called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). Like with other benzodiazepines, there is a risk of addiction if it is used for long periods of time. For this reason the drug used for 2-4 weeks maximum to avoid dependence.

Diazepam was patented in 1959 by Hoffmann-La Roche. It has been one of the most prescribed medications in the world since 1963 many times. In 1985, the patent ended. There are now 500 or more brands available on the market. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.   

 Prescribing 
It has been the most prescribed medicine in the United States many times. It was the best-selling medication between 1968 and 1982 in America. There, it sold more than 2 billion tablets in 1978 alone. In 2022, it was the 169th most popular medication in the United States, with more than 3 million prescriptions.  

 Use 
It is sometimes used recreationally to cause a calming effect. Diazepam has caused huge problems in Scotland in the past.  

Related pages 
 Hydrocodone
 Benzodiazepine

References

Category:Drugs used in psychiatry
Category:Benzodiazepines
Category:Lactams
Category:Organochlorides