Diazepam Flashcards
Class
Anticonvulsant
Sedative
Benzodiazepine Schedule 4 controlled substance
Actions
Enhances the effects of GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) (a manor inhibitory neurotransmitter of the brain) causing depression on all levels of the CNS.
Produces anxiolytic effects, elevates Sz threshold, and has skeletal relaxation effects.
Calms the CNS to have sedative/anxiolytic effect
Indications
Status epilepticus. Cocaine induced persistent svt Acute anxiety Vertigo symptoms with nystagmus Sedation before elective cardioversion Acute alcohol withdrawl symptoms (delirium, irritability, tremors)
Contraindications
Hypersensativity Myasthenia gravis Narrow angle glaucoma Pts with ETOH or other CNS depressants Hypotension/shock/hypovolemia Pregnant or breastfeeding pts Isolated head or multisystem trauma
Side effects
Pain at injection site (Flush well) N/V Hypotension Respiratory depression HA Decreased LOC
Precautions
Expect short duration of action and get a PRN order.
Flumazenil (Romazicon) is used for benzodiazepine OD.
Have resuscitation equipment available with O2.
Note:Benzos supress action potentials of neurons on the same way that GABA does, but at an adjacent binding site. it opens chloride channels which etoh withdrawl closes.