Diazepam Side effects,Drug interactions, Pharmacokinetics

Diazepam (Valium)

Administration: oral, rectal, IM, IV (slow)

Pharmacokinetics          - complete oral bioavailability

                        - highly lipophilic

                        - crosses placenta & excreted in breast milk

                        - metabolised to desmethyldiazepam (active)

Side effects

CNS: confusion, dizziness, fatigue, memory impairment, disorientation, headache

CVS: hypotension, tachycardia

GI: N/V/D/C, dry mouth

others: rash, dependency/withdrawal symptoms

Contraindications: psychoses, lactation

Drug-drug interactions

+ cimetidine, disulfiram, OC = increse effect of diazepam

+ theophylline = antagonize sedative effect

+ omeprazole = increase p [diazepam]