Common Side Effects Of Diazepam

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Diazepam

Diazepam, was first marketed under the brand name Valium. It is a benzodiazepine class drug.
Contents
[hide]

1 Pharmacology
1.1 Mechanism of Action
1.2 Pharmacokinetics
1.2.1 Absorption
1.2.2 Distribution
1.2.3 Metabolism
1.2.4 Elimination
1.3 Chemistry
2 Indications
3 Cautions
4 Contraindications
5 Side Effects
5.1 Common Side Effects
5.2 Less Common Side Effects
6 Legal Status
7 Page data

[edit] Pharmacology
[edit] Mechanism of Action

Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam, achieves its pharmacodynamic effects by ultimately increasing the effect of the major inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA on GABAA receptors. The main roles of GABA include regulating neuronal excitability and regulation of muscle tone. Diazepam, as a positive allosteric modulator of GABAA receptors, binds and forms a receptor-drug complex which promotes the binding of GABA.
[edit] Pharmacokinetics
[edit] Absorption

Diazepam is usually administered in orally in tablet form. Alternatively, also available formulations are intravenous form, intramuscular form, suppository form or rectal solution.

In oral form diazepam is quickly absorbed and has a fast onset. It also has a high oral bioavailability of over 90%. The average time it takes for diazepam to reach peak plasma concentration is one to one and a half hours but this can commonly be in the range of 15 minutes to two and a half hours.

If administered through an intravenous route, the onset of action is one to five minutes and it is 15 to 30 minutes for the intramuscular route. For both of these routes diazepam has a maximum pharmacological effect for around 15 minutes to an hour...

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...Weakness
Ataxia, trouble controlling voluntary body movements.

[edit] Less Common Side Effects

Confusion
Depression
Heacache
Slurred speech
Tremor
Vertigo
Constipation
Nausea
Blurred vision
Dizziness
Hypotension
Psychiatric reactions. Should behavioural effects be experiences, patient should stop taking the drug and see a doctor.
Libido change
Skin hypersensitivity reaction
Dry mouth

[edit] Legal Status

Diazepam is a benzodiazepine and is therefore a licensed medicine under Schedule 4 Part I under The Misuse of Drugs Act of 1971 due to the potential risk of benzodiazepines being abused where dependence can develop. Diazepam can only be acquired with a prescription and prescriptions are only valid for 28 days. Generally speaking, Schedule 4 drugs are limited to a supply of up to 30 days' treatment.

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