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What Is Diazepam?

Diazepam is a prescription benzodiazepine and Schedule IV controlled substance. Oral tablets are used for anxiety disorders, short-term relief of anxiety symptoms, acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms, selected skeletal muscle spasms, and adjunctive treatment of convulsive disorders. Tablets come in 2 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg strengths.

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What Is Diazepam?

Diazepam is a prescription benzodiazepine and Schedule IV controlled substance. Oral tablets are used for anxiety disorders, short-term relief of anxiety symptoms, acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms, selected skeletal muscle spasms, and adjunctive treatment of convulsive disorders. Tablets come in 2 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg strengths.

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How Does Diazepam Affect GABA Activity?

Diazepam has anxiolytic, sedative, muscle-relaxant, anticonvulsant, and amnestic effects. Most of these actions are thought to result from increased activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid, an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Greater GABA-related inhibition reduces neuronal excitability.

Which Conditions Are Treated With Diazepam?

Diazepam tablets treat anxiety disorders and short-term anxiety symptoms. They are also used for acute alcohol withdrawal symptoms, including agitation and tremor, as an adjunct for skeletal muscle spasm, and as adjunctive treatment in convulsive disorders. Current labeling states that long-term effectiveness beyond four months has not been systematically assessed.

How Are Diazepam Tablets Dosed?

Adult anxiety treatment commonly uses 2 mg to 10 mg two to four times daily. Acute alcohol withdrawal starts at 10 mg three or four times during the first 24 hours, then decreases to 5 mg three or four times daily as needed. Muscle spasm and adjunctive seizure treatment also use individualized divided doses.

What Serious Risks Are Linked to Diazepam?

Diazepam carries a boxed warning for profound sedation and respiratory depression with opioids, along with abuse, misuse, addiction, physical dependence, and withdrawal reactions. Abrupt discontinuation after continued use can trigger life-threatening withdrawal, including seizures. Other concerns include impaired alertness, falls, respiratory depression, and additive central nervous system depression with alcohol.

Frequently Asked Questions About Diazepam

Is diazepam a benzodiazepine?

Yes. Diazepam is a benzodiazepine and a Schedule IV controlled substance.

What conditions do diazepam tablets treat?

They treat anxiety disorders and selected alcohol withdrawal, muscle spasm, and seizure-related conditions.

What strengths do diazepam tablets come in?

Current oral tablets come in 2 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg strengths.

Can diazepam be stopped suddenly?

No. Gradual dose reduction is used to reduce the risk of serious withdrawal reactions.

References

DailyMed - DIAZEPAM tablet. https://www.dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=7646785b-dabc-482d-bf42-06177f00aca2. Date Accessed September 25, 2026.

Diazepam. LiverTox. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547871/. Date Accessed September 25, 2026.

Diazepam. MedlinePlus. https://www.medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682047.html. Date Accessed September 25, 2026.

Diazepam. PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Diazepam. Date Accessed September 25, 2026.

Diazepam. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537022/. Date Accessed September 25, 2026.