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Diazepam
trade name
Valium
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Diazepam
class
- Anticonvulsant
- Benzodiazepine
- sedative-hypnotic
- anti-anxiety (anxiolytic)
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Diazepam
mechanism of action
- Suppresses the spread of seizure activity and raises the seizure threshold in the motor cortex
- Sedative effects depress the CNS and reduce anxiety
- Skeletal muscle relaxant
- Induces amnesia
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Diazepam
indications
- Generalized seizure activity and status epilepticus
- Sedation prior to cardioversion or pacing of a conscious patient
- Acute anxiety
- Muscle relaxer
- Chemical restraint
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Diazepam
contraindications
- Head injury/CNS Depression
- Respiratory depression
- Hypotension / depressed vital signs
- Shock
- Infants < 30 days old
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Diazepam
side effects
- Cardiovascular: bradycardia, hypotension, rebound tachycardia
- Neurological: dizziness, drowsiness, headache
- Respiratory: respiratory depression/arrest
- Gastrointestinal: nausea/vomiting
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Diazepam
precautions
Use with caution in the elderly and very ill patients due to paradoxical effects
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Diazepam
interactions
Use with caution when patient is taking antihistamines, antidepressants, alcohol, narcotics, barbiturates, sedatives and hypnotics as these drug classifications may potentiate the effects
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Diazepam
routes
IV, IO, IM, PR
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Diazepam
onset and duration
Onset in 5 minutes with an unknown duration
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Diazepam
dosages
- Adult:
- Seizures: 5-10 mg IV/IM. May repeat every 5-15 minutes prn to maximum dose of 20 mg
- Anxiety: 5-10 mg IV/IMCardioversion: 5-10 mg IV titrated to effect
Pediatric: 0.1 mg/kg IV/PR. May repeat every 5-15 minutes prn to maximum dose of 20 mg
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Diazepam
notes
not in riverside
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