Show MEDICALLY SPEAKING I. I My Cindy Ward Vernal Family Health Center Valium My doctor recently prescribed the drug Valium to relieve tension Could you explain what this drug is L L.M. L.M. L. L M. M Vernal Valium is the trade name for fora a drug also known as diazepam It Ills is one of the most frequently prescribed medications in the US U.S. Americans spent millions of dollars on Valium prescriptions last year Valium belongs to a family of drugs called the to which and also belong These are considered mild tranquilizers and they are used in the treatment of anxiety and tension VALIUM appears to exert its action in the central nervous system However its actual mechanism of action is unknown Besides being used for term short-term treatment of anxiety and tension related to personal problems in an in individuals individual's individuals individual's in in- life Valium has been used in treating acute agitation due to alcohol withdrawal It has also been employed as a skeletal muscle relaxant and has been used successfully in inthe inthe inthe the treatment of tetanus Valium can also be used in combination with more traditional drugs in the treatment treatment treatment treat treat- ment of epilepsy and is especially Useful in controlling status when given intravenously Other uses are areas areas areas as a a In anesthesia and in obstetrics during labor The expected and reported side effects of drowsiness and are extensions of the pharmacological pharmacological pharmacological phar phar- actions of this drug In general the clinical toxicity of Valium is low and thou though h is ll frequent serious complications seldom occur due to this drugs drug's remarkable margin of safety IT IS IMPORTANT to realize that a person can become psychologically dependent on this drug in order to function normally Physical addition when the person needs the drug to avoid illness or withdrawal symptoms does not occur with Valium use as it does with heroin abusers Other side effects that have been reported include dry mouth dizziness headache e and lightheadedness Troublesome side effects from any drug should always be discussed with your physician Many side effects can be alleviated by reducing or switching medications but this should only be done under the supervision supervision supervision super super- vision of your own personal physician Dr Evans will answer questions of general interest through this column If you have any questions or or comments comments comments com com- ments please send them to the Vernal Express |