Valium

Diazepam, better known by the trade name Valium, is a benzodiazepine sedative[?] drug.

Like other benzodiazepines, it is used as a sedative in the treatment of anxiety, in psychoneurotic disorders[?] and acute alcohol withdrawal[?].

It acts as a skeletal muscle relaxant and is therefore used in various spastic disorders and tetanus. It may be used to relieve spasticity and athetosis[?] in patients with cerebral palsy.

It can be used as a preanesthetic medication[?], as a hypnotic, and for long-term sedation in intensive care.

It also has anticonvulsive properties and can be used in the treatment of status epilepticus[?].

Much more writing desirable: pharmacology, abuse potential

External links:

• http://www.pl.barc.usda.gov/amed_detail.cfm?medicine_id=65
• http://ntp-server.niehs.nih.gov/htdocs/Chem_H&S/NTP_Chem4/Radian439-14-5.html
• Presumed public domain picture of chemical structure of Diazepam (http://www.pl.barc.usda.gov/chem/Diazepam.gif)