What Is Diazepam (Valium)?

Diazepam is a benzodiazepine. It appears to be sold under the major brand Valium. However, it also seems to be a controlled substance, and patients may not take it for long periods. This medication may cause significant withdrawal effects as well. The severity of this may worsen the longer that patients take this medication. Thus, patients may wish to speak to their doctor about alternative coping skills and long-term medicines as well.

Although it carries risks, diazepam appears to be a powerful medication for muscle spasms. It may also be an effective short-term anxiety treatment. This medication seems to be approved for use in emergency detox centers. Some patients may also find that this is a useful medication for seizures. However, it may be prescribed with another epilepsy treatment.

How It Should Work

Diazepam appears to slow down various functions in the body. This is why it may often be considered a sedative. The effects of this medication should help reduce the severity of a patient's panic. It may also help stop the brain function that can trigger painful muscle spasms.

If this medication is used to treat epilepsy, it may also keep electrical pulses in the brain regular. In other words, it may prevent seizures from stopping abnormal pulses from flooding the brain. This medication also seems to increase GABA levels. GABA is a chemical that should help keep individuals calm. It may also keep their emotions level and prevent significant spikes or drops.

Uncover the possible uses for this medication next.

Possible Uses

It seems as if diazepam may be used to treat several different issues. As discussed, some of these issues include epilepsy, anxiety disorders, and muscle spasms. This medication may also sedate patients before medical procedures. It appears that doctors most often use it when their patients do not need general anesthesia. Diazepam may reduce the severity of a panic attack and lessen anxiety in other patients. It seems like it is most effective at dealing with the anxiety-inducing thought spirals that often come with anxiety disorders, especially obsessive-compulsive disorder. Officials appear to have also approved this medication to treat some instances of alcohol withdrawal.

This also seems to be an effective short-term medication for acute panic after disasters and similar events. It also seems to work on anxiety for short-term cases while doctors investigate other medications and patients develop the right coping skills.

Continue reading to uncover potential side effects next.