Diazepam
Systematic (IUPAC) name
7-chloro-1-methyl-
5-phenyl-1,3-dihydro-2H-
1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one
Identifiers
CAS number
439-14-5
ATC code
N05BA01 N05BA17
PubChem
3016
DrugBank
APRD00642
Chemical data
Formula
C16H13ClN2O
Mol. mass
284.7 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability
93%
Metabolism
Hepatic
Half life
20-100 hours
Excretion
Renal
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.
C(AU) D(US)
Legal status
Prescription Only (S4)(AU) Schedule IV(CA) Schedule IV(US) Schedule IV (International)
Routes
Oral, IM, IV, suppository
Diazepam (IPA: /daɪˈæzɨpæm/), first marketed as Valium by Hoffmann-La Roche) is a benzodiazepine derivative drug. It possesses anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, sedative, skeletal muscle relaxant and amnestic properties. It is commonly used for treating anxiety, insomnia, seizures, alcohol withdrawal, and muscle spasms. It may also be used before certain medical procedures (such as endoscopies) to reduce tension and anxiety, and in some surgical procedures to induce amnesia.[1][2]
Diazepam is a core medicine in the World Health Organization's "Essential Drugs List", which is a list of minimum medical needs for a basic health care system.[3] Diazepam is used to treat a wide range of conditions and has been one of the most frequently prescribed medications in the world for the past 40 years. It was invented by Dr. Leo Sternbach.
Contents
1 History
2 Physical properties
3 Pharmacology
4 Mechanism of action
5 Pharmacokinetics
6 Indications
6.1 Veterinary uses
6.2 Judicial Executions
7 Dosage
7.1 Availability
8 Side effects
9 Interactions
10 Contraindications
10.1 Special caution needed
11 Dependence
11.1 Patients at a high risk for abuse and dependence
12 Pregnancy
13 Overdose
14 Misuse and abuse
15 Legal status
16 Toxicity
17 Further reading
18 References
19 External links
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History
Diazepam was the second benzodiazepine to be invented by Sternbach of Hoffmann-La Roche, and was approved for use in 1963. It is two and a half times more potent than its predecessor, chlordiazepoxide, which it quickly surpassed in terms of sales. After this initial success, other pharmaceutical companies began to introduce other benzodiazepine derivatives.[4]
The benzodiazepines gained popularity among medical professionals as an improvement upon barbiturates, which have a comparatively narrow therapeutic index, and are far more sedating at therapeutic doses. The benzodiazepines are also far less dangerous; death rarely results from diazepam overdose, except in cases where it is consumed with large amounts of other depressants (such as alcohol or other sedatives).[5]
Diazepam was the top-selling pharmaceutical in the United States from 1969 to 1982, with peak sales in 1978 of 2.3 billion pills.[4] Diazepam along with oxazepam, nitrazepam and temazepam represent 82% of the benzodiazepine market in Australia.[6] While psychiatrists continue to prescribe diazepam for the short-term relief of anxiety, neurology has taken the lead in prescribing diazepam for the palliative treatment of certain types of epilepsy and spastic activity, e.g., forms of paresis. It is also the first line of defense for a rare disorder called stiff-person syndrome.[7]
Diazepam is also found in nature. Several plants, such as potato and wheat, contain trace amounts of naturally occurring diazepam and other benzodiazepines.[8]
Physical properties
Diazepam occurs as solid white or yellow crystals and has a melting point of 131.5 to 134.5 °C. It is odorless, and has a slightly bitter taste. The British Pharmacopoeia lists diazepam as being very slightly soluble in water, soluble in alcohol and freely soluble in chloroform. The United States Pharmacopoeia lists diazepam as soluble 1 in 16 of ethyl alcohol, 1 in 2 of chloroform, 1 in 39 of ether, and practically insoluble in water. The pH |