Diazepam
- Marcus.S (Author/editor)
- Sep 20, 2019
- 1 min read
Diazepam is a drug belonging to the benzodiazepine family of medications. Benzodiazepines, also called benzos, are a class of psychoactive drugs, the first of which being chlordiazapoxide which was a sedative or a hypnotic drug used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and withdrawal symptoms.
Diazepam itself is used to treat anxiety, withdrawal syndrome, benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome, muscle spasms, seizures, troubles sleeping, and restless leg syndrome. It can be taken orally, inserted into the rectum, injected into muscles, or injected into the veins. diazepam is also commonly used to cause memory loss during certain medical procedures.
Common side effects include sleepiness and trouble with coordination. Serious side effects are rare. They include suicide, decreased breathing, and an increased risk of seizures if used too frequently in those with epilepsy.
Benzodiazepines are positive allosteric modulators of the GABA type A receptors (GABA). The GABAA receptors are ligand-gated chloride-selective ion channels that are activated by GABA, the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. Binding of benzodiazepines to this receptor complex promotes binding of GABA, which in turn increases the total conduction of chloride ions across the neuronal cell membrane. This increased chloride ion influx hyperpolarizes the neuron's membrane potential. As a result, the difference between resting potential and threshold potential is increased and firing is less likely. As a result, the arousal of the cortical and limbic systems in the central nervous system is reduced.
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