Diazepam

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Originally approved in 1959, diazepam marketed as Valium ultimately became the first drug to surpass $1 billion in yearly sales. Even though the drug is more than 60 years old, it still ranks as the 112th most frequently prescribed drug in the United States. This benzodiazepine belongs to the same family as Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan, Serax and Restoril.

Principally prescribed to treat anxiety related disorders, diazepam may be helpful in combating skeletal muscle spasms, alcohol withdrawal related delirium tremens and short term insomnia. Diazepam also may ameliorate complications resulting from hallucinogens and certain stimulants - LSD, cocaine and methamphetamine. Diazepam also provides temporary relief of seizures.

Governmental guidelines discourage use of the benzodiazepines in general and specifically diazepam. Diazepam has a long half life and tends to accumulate in the body with regular use. In senior citizens, diazepam may interfere with memory and coordination and result in confusion, slurred speech, difficulty walking and depression.

Non-medical use of diazepam in combination with opioids regularly leads to respiratory depression, coma and death. An intentional or accidental overdosage with diazepam by itself seldom results in death. Common drug related fatalities occur with various mixtures of diazepam, alcohol, opioids, barbiturates, heroin and other central nervous system depressants. This lethal cocktail kills more than 10,000 individuals each year.

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