(Legend)

Generic Name

• Diazepam
  T½ = 20–50 h (up to 100 h for metabolites)
  Schedule IV
  Pregnancy category D

Trade Name

• Valium
• Apo-Diazepam
• Vivol

Dose Range/Adult Daily Dose

• Range: 4–40 mg/d
  Anxiety: po: 2–10 mg 2–4 × daily; IM/IV: 2–10 mg q 4 h prn.
  Alcohol WD: po: 10 mg 3–4 × first 24 h; then 5 mg 3–4 × daily; IM/IV: 10 mg, then 5–10 mg in 3–4 h as needed

Use/Common Side Effects (CSE)

• Use: Anxiety adjunct; alcohol withdrawal
  CSE: Dizziness, drowsiness, lethargy

Geriatric & Dose Considerations

• Dosage reduction required; caution: hepatic/renal disease; assess: risk for falls; prolonged sedation in the elderly

Classification

• Antianxiety agent [benzo]

Assessment Cautions

• Monitor: BP/pulse/respirations; CBC, LFTs; renal tests periodically with prolonged therapy; Monitor for dependence. Alcoholics: ETOH withdrawal–assess for: tremors, delirium, agitation, hallucinations