Neurobites – The Value of Diazepam

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

Welcome to Neurobites. Each week we feature a useful veterinary neurology tip for our referral community, created by one of our board-certified neurologists.

Our first video edition of Neurobites, Dr. Michael Higginbotham of BVNS Richmond covers the value of diazepam for the vestibular patient. A transcript of his video can be found below.

“Hi, this is Dr. Higginbotham from BVNS in Richmond. One thing that I’ve found to be very helpful in treating patients with disequilibrium due to vestibular dysfunction is the use of oral diazepam, or Valium. While not a very commonly prescribed medication, it can actually be very helpful.

Antihistamines, such as meclizine and phenothiazines, have weak anticholinergic properties that can reduce the excitability of vestibular neurons. Diazepam has a very similar mechanism of action, and is thought to suppress the resting tone of the contralateral or normal vestibular apparatus, thus reducing the amount of difference between normal and abnormal. I dose it at usually around 0.2 mgs/kg orally twice a day. It’s cheap, it’s safe, it’s ubiquitous, and it’s easy to dose. Plus it can provide a small amount of sedation for those overly anxious patients. I hope this tip helps out.”

To learn more about Vestibular Disease, click HERE

Want to check out previous Neurobites? Access our archive HERE.


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