diazepam

American  

[dahy-az-uh-pam] / daɪˈæz əˌpæm /

noun

Pharmacology.

1. a benzodiazepine, C 16 H 13 ClN 2 O, used for alleviation of anxiety and tension, as a hypnotic, a muscle relaxant, and an anticonvulsant, and in alcohol withdrawal.

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diazepam British  

/ daɪˈæzəˌpæm /

noun

1. a chemical compound used as a minor tranquillizer and muscle relaxant and to treat acute epilepsy. Formula: C 16 H 13 ClN 2 O

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diazepam Scientific  

/ dī-ăz′ə-păm′ /

1. A drug, C ₁₆ H ₁₃ ClN ₂ O, used in the treatment of anxiety and as a sedative, muscle relaxant, and anticonvulsant.

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Etymology

Origin of diazepam

First recorded in 1960–65; (benzo)diazep(ine) + -am (of uncertain origin)

Compare meaning

How does diazepam compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• diazepam vs. Valium

Example Sentences

The team found that diazepam can support this coordinated activity in their experiments.

From Science Daily • Dec. 10, 2025

The number of patients prescribed diazepam has also fallen by 13%, from 101,663 in 2014 to 88,717 in 2023.

From BBC • Sep. 19, 2024

The plan doubles the number of possible injections of the sedative from four for diazepam to 10 for midazolam.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 3, 2018

An autopsy later found that she had been experiencing delirium tremens caused by withdrawal from diazepam, an anti-anxiety medication that P.T.S. staff members said they were never informed she was taking.

From New York Times • Jul. 6, 2016

When the team mutated the 2 subunit, diazepam lost its anxiety-reducing effects, suggesting that the anti-anxiety effect of the drug operates through this receptor subtype.

From Nature • May 22, 2013