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Diazepam (Valium)   

Clinical Uses

  • Reduce anxiety prior to surgery; may reduce amount of inhalational agent required.

  • Drug of choice by IV for termination of status epilepticus

  • Anxiolytic

  • Reduce anxiety prior to endoscopy and cardioversion

  • Mangement of acute ethanol withdrawal

 Adverse Effects

 Contraindications

  • by injection: shock, coma, acute alcohol intoxication, infants < 30 days old

  • by tabet: children less than 6 months; acute narrow angle glaucoma, untreated open angle glaucoma, during or within 14 days of MAO inhibitor therapy; safe use in pregnancy not established

 Cautious Use (partial listing):

  • Impaired renal or hepatic function

  • Mental depression

  • Drug abuse

  • Addiction prone patients

  • Elderly or in patients with COPD (I.V)

Side Effects (Partial listing)

  • CNS: drowsiness, fatigure, amnesia

  •  CV: hypotension, cardiovascular collapse

  • Eye: Blurred vision

  • GI: dry mouth, nausea, constipation

  • GU: gynecomastia (prolonged use), incontinence, urinary retention

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Shannon, M.T., Wilson, B.A., Stang, C. L. In, Govoni and Hayes 8th Edition: Drugs and Nursing Implications Appleton & Lange, 1995, pp 396-397.