Diazepam (Valium)

What the word means

Diazepam is the drug. Valium is the brand, and it’s the one that put benzodiazepines into the culture in the first place.

It’s a long-acting benzodiazepine with a long half-life, and it’s used for more than anxiety. It shows up for muscle spasm, for certain seizures, and in the medically supervised treatment of alcohol withdrawal, where a long-acting benzodiazepine is used deliberately to keep a dangerous withdrawal from turning fatal.

That last use is a good illustration of why the class exists at all. These drugs have genuine value. They also carry genuine risk, and both things are true at once.

Where to read the full guide

Shrinktionary is the language layer.

Read the full diazepam guide at PsychiatryRx, which covers uses, side effects, and how it compares with other benzodiazepines.

Related terms you’ll see next

• Benzodiazepine
• Withdrawal
• Half-life
• Alcohol use disorder

When to seek professional care

Never stop a benzodiazepine abruptly on your own, because withdrawal from this class can cause seizures and can be life-threatening. Don’t combine it with alcohol or opioids. Alcohol withdrawal itself is a medical situation, not something to manage at home, and it needs supervision. If you have thoughts of harming yourself, get help right away by calling 911, or call or text 988 in the US to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

<blockquote>
  <p><strong>Diazepam (Valium):</strong> Diazepam is a long-acting benzodiazepine, sold as Valium, used for anxiety, muscle spasm, seizures, and alcohol withdrawal. It's the oldest name most people recognize in the class.</p>
  <p>&mdash; <a href="https://shrinktionary.com/terms/diazepam/">Shrinktionary</a>, a plain-English mental health dictionary, medically reviewed by a board certified psychiatrist.</p>
</blockquote>