Paper I — 2013 September (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) — Q7

Paper I

2013 September (Supplementary) (2010 Scheme) · 40 marks · 120 min

Question

Diazepam

Q73 marksShort Notes★✓

Answer

Diazepam is a long-acting benzodiazepine.

Mechanism of action

• Binds to a specific benzodiazepine site on the GABA-A receptor
• Increases the frequency of chloride channel opening in response to GABA → enhances GABA-mediated (inhibitory) neurotransmission → CNS depression

Uses

• Anxiety disorders
• Status epilepticus (drug of choice, IV)
• Skeletal muscle spasm/spasticity
• Alcohol withdrawal syndrome
• Premedication before anaesthesia/procedural sedation
• Muscle relaxant in tetanus

Adverse effects

• Sedation, drowsiness, ataxia
• Dependence and tolerance with prolonged use
• Withdrawal syndrome on abrupt discontinuation
• Respiratory depression (especially with other CNS depressants/IV use)
• Anterograde amnesia

Antidote: Flumazenil (competitive benzodiazepine receptor antagonist)

Related Concepts

1. 1Sedatives and Hypnotics

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