One of the more commonly recognised
benzodiazepines: an
anxiolytic,
anticonvulsant,
sedative and
skeletal muscle relaxant. Names you may have heard:
Valium, Ducene, Apo-Diazepam, Diazemuls, E Pam, Meval, Novo-Dipam,Vivol.
Dental Use:
Orally, as a preoperative medication for dental anxiety. And as a skeletal muscle relaxant. The latter as part of the management in TMD (temporomandibular joint dysfunction). Also, as a sedative component in I.V. conscious sedation in oral surgery patients.
Medical use:
In the management of general anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and provide preoperative sedation, light anaesthesia, and amnesia; treatment of status epilepticus, alcohol withdrawal symptoms; used as a skeletal muscle relaxant.
Mechanism of action:
Depresses all levels of the CNS (central nervous system) through the release of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). GABA is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain.
Drug Interactions:
CNS depressants, alcohol, disulfiram, cimetidine, anticonvulsants, anticholinergics.
Contraindications:
Hypersensitivity to diazepam or any component, pre-existing CNS depression, repiratory depression, narrow angle glaucoma, pregnant women. Precaution with concurrent CNS depressants, hepatic dysfunction, renal impairment, prolonged use and abrupt withdrawal.
With help from: Drug Information Handbook for Dentistry. Lexi-Comp's Clinical Reference Library.MIMS.