Diazepam as a skeletal muscle relaxant

• Diazepam is a benzodiazepine drug that is used to treat acute muscle spasms as well as spasticity caused by chronic disorders. Other uses of diazepam include treatind anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, and seizures. It seems to work by promoting the inhibitory effect of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid on muscle contraction.

The negatives: sedation and tolerance

Diazepam can be used alone or with other drugs to treat spasticity, especially with patients with spinal cord lesions and, occasionally, in patients with cerebral palsy. It's also helpful in patients with painful, continous muscle spasms who aren't too susceptible to the drug's sedative effects. Unfortunately, diazepam's use is limited by its central nervous system effects and the tolerance that develops with prolonged use.