Skeletal muscle relaxants such as diazepam are indicated as adjuncts to other measures, such as rest and physical therapy, for the relief of muscle spasm associated with acute, painful musculoskeletal conditions. They act principally on the central nervous system. They differ in action from the muscle relaxants used in anaesthesia which block transmission at the neuromuscular junction.

The major disadvantage of treatment with these drugs is that reduction in muscle tone can cause a loss of splinting action of the spastic leg and trunk muscles and sometimes lead to an increase in disability

Diazepam

Tablet, 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg
Syrup, 2 mg/5 ml
Injection, 10 mg/ml, in 2 ml ampoule

Indications: - muscle spasm of varied aetiology, including tetanus; other indications (section 4.2, section 4.3).

Cautions: see section 4.2; special precautions for intravenous injection.

Contraindications; Side effects, see section 4.2; also hypotonia

Dose and Administrations

By mouth, 2 - 15 mg daily in divided doses, increased if necessary in spastic conditions to 60 mg daily according to response.

Cerebral spasticity in selected cases, child 2 - 40 mg daily in divided doses.

By intramuscularly or by slow intravenous injection (into a large vein at a rate of not more than 5 mg/minute), in acute muscle spasm, 10 mg repeated if necessary after 4 hours.

Note: Only use IM route when oral and IV routes not possible.

Tetanus, Adult and Child, by intravenous injection, 100 - 300 micrograms/kg repeated every 1 - 4 hours; by intravenous infusion (or by nasoduodenal tube), 3 - 10 mg/kg over 24 hours, adjusted according to response