Valium is a long-acting oral and benzodiazepine. Valium is used orally for the management of anxiety disorders and acute alcohol withdrawal, and as a muscle relaxant. Parenterally, it is indicated as an anti-anxiety agent, sedative, amnestic, anticonvulsant, skeletal muscle relaxant, anesthetic adjunct, and as treatment for alcohol withdrawal. In addition to treating status epilepticus, diazepam has recently been shown effective in preventing recurrence of febrile seizures.
Although diazepam has been the benzodiazepine of choice for status epilepticus, recent evidence indicates that lorazepam may be more beneficial because it provides longer control of seizures and produces less cardiorespiratory depression.