The benzodiazepine contained in Valium – diazepam – is one of the best-known drugs worldwide, together with chlordiazepoxide (Librium). It is arguably the most popular tranquilizer. The drug was discovered and developed more than 60 years ago (1963), by Hoffman La Roche (Basel, Switzerland). Over the past decades, the drug has been extensively used in the treatment of epilepsy crisis (status epilepticus), seizures, and alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS).
Diazepam acts by binding to the benzodiazepine site on the γ-aminobutyric acid a (GABAa) receptors to enhance the affinity of channel opening by the agonist GABA, which leads to central nervous system depression. Diazepam is most useful to treat anxiety, seizures, muscle spasms or twitches. However, the drug can induced side effects , notably drowsiness, weakness, and dizziness. It can also cause problems with coordination and short-term memory loss. Nevertheless, this tranquilizer remains extensively used worldwide. The global diazepam market was valued at USD 1.0 billion in 2019, and remains very high today.
