Diazepam (
Valium®) is a prescription medicine approved for treating a number of different conditions. It is licensed to treat
anxiety, muscle spasms, and alcohol withdrawal. Healthcare providers may also prescribe diazepam for
seizures.
The medicine is not approved to be used alone for the treatment of
seizures. Instead, it is used with other seizure medications. Diazepam can be useful for stopping a seizure that is particularly difficult to control.
Part of a class of medications known as benzodiazepines, diazepam works in the brain by enhancing the effects of
gamma-aminobutyric acid (
GABA), a chemical that is naturally calming. GABA can slow down or stop certain nerve signals in the brain. This action can produce several effects in the body, including relaxing muscles and stopping seizures.
(Click What Is Diazepam Used For? for more information on how diazepam works for seizures, to learn about other approved uses for this medication, and to find out if this drug is suitable for children.)
