Your healthcare provider may prescribe
diazepam (
Valium®) to treat several conditions, such as alcohol withdrawal,
anxiety, muscle spasms, and
seizures.
There are also several "
off-label" diazepam uses. Some of these off-label uses include treating the following conditions:
- Agitation
- Insomnia
- Benzodiazepine withdrawal (due to stopping a benzodiazepine medication too quickly).
Sometimes, this medication is used as a sedative before certain medical or surgical procedures.
As a benzodiazepine, 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 is why diazepam and other benzodiazepines are known as mild tranquilizers, sedatives, or central nervous system depressants (CNS depressants).
(For more information on what diazepam treats, click What Is Diazepam Used For?. This article discusses how the drug works, why it is not safe for children under the age of six months old, and other potential off-label uses.)
