| Question |
Answer |
| GENERIC NAME | Diazepam |
| BRAND NAME | Valium |
| CLASS | Benzodiazepine, sedative hypnotic, anticonvulsant |
| MECHANISM OF ACTION | Potentiates effects of inhibitory neurotransmitters. Raises seizure threshold. Induces amnesia and sedation. |
| INDICATIONS | Acute anxiety states, acute alcohol withdrawal, muscle relaxant, seizure activity, agitation. Analgesia for medical procedures. |
| CONTRAINDICATIONS | Hypersensitivity, glaucoma, coma, shock, substance abuse, head injury |
| ADVERSE REACTIONS | Respiratory depression, hypotension. Drowsiness, ataxia, Reflex tachycardia, nausea, confusion, thrombosis, and phlebitis. |
| NOTES ON ADMINISTRATION | Pregnancy category D. Reduce dose 50% in elderly patients. |
| INCOMPATABILITIES/DRUG INTERACTIONS | Incompatible with most drugs, fluids. |
| DOSE/ROUTE Adult, seizure activity | 5-10mg IV q 10-15 minutes prn. Max dose 30mg. |
| Pediatric, seizure activity | 0.2-0.5mg slowly q 2-5 minutes up to 5mg. max dose 10mg/kg. |
| Pediatric, rectally | 0.5 mg/kg via 2’’ rectal catheter and flush with 2-3ml of air after administration. |
| Adult, cardioversion sedation | 5-15mg IV over 5-10 minutes prior to cardioversion. |
| ONSET OF ACTION | 1-5 minutes |
| PEAK EFFECTS | Minutes |
| DURATION OF ACTION | 20-50 minutes |
| AZ DRUG BOX SUPPLY RANGE | 20mg. Rectal 20mg (optional) |
mr. charles11
