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Relanium
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025
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Indications Relanium.
It is used for insomnia, spastic conditions, anxiety disorders and dysphoria. In addition, for spasms of skeletal muscles due to arthritis, trauma, myositis and bursitis, for severe headaches caused by tension or polyarthritis, which has a progressive and chronic form, as well as arthrosis, angina pectoris and rheumatic spondyloarthritis.
The medication is also prescribed for anxiety, tension, transient reactive states, alcohol withdrawal or tremors in the limbs. It is also used for complex therapy of ulcers inside the digestive tract, psychosomatic disorders, high blood pressure, epileptic status, menstrual disorders, gestosis, disorders associated with menopause, as well as irritability, drug intoxication, eczema and Meniere's disease.
Before performing endoscopic or surgical procedures, the drug is used for premedication. Parenteral administration of the substance is performed as premedication before introducing the patient into systemic anesthesia, as well as in the case of myocardial infarction.
Relanium is quite often used in neurology and psychiatry, and also to facilitate the process of labor, in cases of premature labor or premature detachment of the placenta.
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Pharmacodynamics
The active ingredient of the drug is diazepam. It acts by stimulating benzodiazepine endings. The drug has an anticonvulsant, hypnotic, and at the same time central muscle relaxant and sedative effect. By influencing the amygdala complex located inside the visceral brain, the drug has an anxiolytic effect, reducing the severity of feelings of fear and anxiety, as well as anxiety and strong emotional stress.
Relanium has pronounced sedative properties due to its effect on non-specific nuclei of the thalamus and the reticular formation of the brainstem. The drug reduces the severity of manifestations of a neurological nature. By suppressing the cells of the reticular formation inside the brainstem, the drug leads to the development of a hypnotic effect.
The drug potentiates the process of presynaptic slowing, thereby causing an anticonvulsant effect. Diazepam does not eliminate excitation within the epileptic focus, but inhibits the processes of spreading epileptogenic activity.
Slowing down of spinal polysynaptic afferent inhibition pathways leads to the development of a muscle relaxant effect. The sympatholytic effect leads to the development of a vasodilating effect on the coronary vessels and to a decrease in blood pressure.
The medication can increase the pain threshold and also suppress paroxysms of parasympathetic, sympathoadrenal, and vestibular origin.
In addition, the substance reduces the activity of gastric juice secretion at night.
The therapeutic effect develops within 2-7 days of the treatment course. The drug does not affect productive manifestations of psychological origin (hallucinations, affective disorders and delirium).
In alcohol withdrawal or chronic alcoholism, the drug reduces agitation, as well as negativism with tremor and the severity of alcohol-related delirium and hallucinations.
In people with arrhythmia, as well as paresthesia or cardialgia, the development of drug effects is observed by the end of the first week of treatment.
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Pharmacokinetics
When injected intramuscularly, the medication is absorbed unevenly but completely. The Cmax level is noted after 1 hour.
When administered intravenously to an adult, the Cmax value is reached after 15 minutes and is determined by the portion size. The drug is rapidly distributed within tissues and organs (especially within the liver and brain), penetrates the placenta and BBB, and into mother's milk.
Intrahepatic metabolism processes lead to the formation of active metabolic products: N-dimethyldiazepam (50%) and oxazepam with temazepam. In this case, the N-dimethyldiazepam component accumulates inside the brain, providing a long-lasting and pronounced anticonvulsant effect.
Dimethylated and hydroxylated metabolic products of diazepam, together with bile and glucuronic acids, are excreted to a large extent via the kidneys.
Diazepam is a tranquilizer with a prolonged type of effect, therefore its half-life after intravenous injection is 32 hours, and the half-life of N-dimethyldiazepam is 50-100 hours. At the same time, the indicators of complete clearance inside the kidneys are within 20-33 ml/minute.
Dosing and administration
The portion size must be calculated taking into account the indications, the reaction to the drug, the patient's condition and the clinical picture of the pathology (both the main one and concomitant ones).
In psychiatry, the drug is used for dysphoria, phobias, hysterical or hypochondriacal manifestations and neuroses - 2-times daily administration of a portion of 5-10 mg. Sometimes, if necessary, the dosage can be increased to 60 mg.
In case of alcohol withdrawal, the medication is administered 3 times during the first day (10 mg of the substance), and then the dose is reduced to 5 mg with 3 times a day use.
People with atherosclerosis or weakened patients need to be administered 2 mg of the drug 2 times a day.
In neurology, Relanium is used for spastic conditions or degenerative diseases – 2-3 times a day in the amount of 5-10 mg.
For cardiac or rheumatological diseases: in case of angina, 2-5 mg of the drug is administered 3 times a day. In case of increased blood pressure, 5 mg of the substance is administered 3 times a day. For the treatment of vertebral syndrome, 10 mg of the substance is administered 4 times a day.
In combination therapy for myocardial infarction, 10 mg of the drug is first administered intravenously, and then it is used in a dose of 5-10 mg with 1-3 administrations per day.
To perform defibrillation during premedication, the substance is administered intravenously at a low rate – 10-30 mg in separate portions.
People with vertebral syndrome or spastic conditions of rheumatic origin are first given 10 mg of the drug intramuscularly, and then prescribed tablets (5 mg dose, taken 1-4 times per day).
During menopause, gestosis, psychosomatic or menstrual disorders, the substance is administered in an amount of 2-5 mg, 3 times per day.
To facilitate the process of opening the cervix and labor, the drug is administered intramuscularly in a dose of 20 mg.
The medicinal solution should be administered intramuscularly or intravenously (at a low rate (1 ml/minute) into a large vein). Dosages should always be prescribed by the attending physician.
Use Relanium. during pregnancy
It is prohibited to use the medicine during pregnancy.
Contraindications
Main contraindications:
- acute alcohol poisoning;
- comatose or shock state;
- presence of hypersensitivity to diazepam;
- acute drug intoxication;
- closed-angle glaucoma;
- myasthenia;
- breastfeeding period;
- COPD in severe stage;
- absence;
- acute respiratory failure;
- myoclonic epilepsy in children.
Caution is required in the following conditions (prescribe after prior medical consultation):
- hyperkinesis;
- epilepsy;
- spinal or cerebral ataxia;
- diseases affecting the liver or kidneys;
- drug addiction;
- sleep apnea;
- cerebral pathologies of organic origin;
- hypoproteinemia;
- elderly age of patients.
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Side effects Relanium.
The use of the drug may provoke the appearance of certain side effects:
- disorders of the nervous system: dizziness, unsteadiness of gait, attention disorder and ataxia, as well as a feeling of severe fatigue, disorientation, drowsiness, lethargy and instability. In addition, headaches, depression, motor coordination disorder, tremor, anterograde amnesia, catalepsy, extrapyramidal symptoms, inhibition of motor reactions and emotional depression are noted. Paradoxical manifestations also occur, myasthenia, a feeling of weakness, confusion or irritability, psychomotor or acute agitation, dysarthria, insomnia, and along with this, hyporeflexia, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts and muscle spasms;
- damage to the hematopoietic organs: development of anemia, as well as agranulocytosis or thrombocytopenia;
- digestive disorders: dry mouth, constipation, hypersalivation, gastralgia, heartburn or nausea, as well as hiccups, loss of appetite and increased liver enzyme levels;
- problems with the cardiovascular system: tachycardia, decreased blood pressure and increased heart rate;
- disorders of the urogenital system: urinary retention or incontinence, dysmenorrhea, renal dysfunction and libido disorders. Allergy symptoms may occur - rashes or itching;
- the effect of the drug on the fetus: teratogenic effect, suppression of the nervous system, disorder of the sucking reflex or respiratory function;
- manifestations in the area of drug administration: venous thrombosis or phlebitis may develop.
Relanium causes addiction, drug dependence, respiratory disorders, weight loss, diplopia, respiratory depression, and bulimia. Abrupt withdrawal of the drug causes a “withdrawal syndrome” in which a feeling of agitation, anxiety, fear, irritability, nervousness, agitation, or depersonalization is observed, as well as headaches, hyperacusis, and dysphoria. Paresthesia, sleep or perception disorders, hallucinations, tachycardia, acute psychosis, seizures, and photophobia also occur.
In premature infants, the drug causes hypothermia, dyspnea, and muscle hypotension.
Overdose
Drug intoxication results in a feeling of drowsiness, extreme weakness, confusion, stupor, or paradoxical agitation. In addition, reflexes and response to painful stimuli are weakened, deep sleep, visual disturbances, areflexia, dyspnea or apnea, tremor, bradycardia, and nystagmus develop. Also observed are decreased blood pressure, collapse, suppression of cardiac or respiratory function, and coma.
To eliminate the disorders, gastric lavage, the use of enterosorbents, forced diuresis procedures, maintenance of the body's systems and artificial ventilation are necessary.
The drug's antagonist is flumazenil, which is used only in hospitals. Flumazenil should not be used in people with epilepsy and those taking benzodiazepines (the drug may cause an epileptic seizure). Hemodialysis procedures will be ineffective in cases of Relanium poisoning.
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Interactions with other drugs
The drug potentiates the suppressive effect of antipsychotics, ethyl alcohol, neuroleptics, antidepressants, sedatives, opiates and muscle relaxants on the central nervous system.
Drugs that slow down the oxidation processes of microsomes (such as cimetidine with erythromycin, propoxyphene, oral contraception, ketoconazole with isoniazid, as well as propranolol, disulfiram with metoprolol, as well as valproic acid and fluoxetine) potentiate the effect of Relanium and also prolong its half-life.
The opposite effect is observed when the drug is used together with drugs that induce the activity of liver microsomal enzymes.
Antacids do not affect the degree of absorption of diazepam, but they slow down the rate of this process.
Antihypertensive drugs potentiate the degree of reduction in blood pressure values.
The use of clozapine leads to a potentiation of the inhibitory effect on the respiratory process.
In people with shaking palsy, Relanium reduces the medicinal effectiveness of levodopa.
The effect of omeprazole leads to prolongation of the excretion period of the drug.
Storage conditions
Relanium should be kept in a dark place, out of reach of small children. Temperature values are within the range of 15-25°C.
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Shelf life
Relanium can be used within 5 years from the date of manufacture of the medicinal product.
Application for children
Relanium can be prescribed to children, but the duration of such therapy should be minimal. There is no data on whether it is safe to use in infants under 6 months of age.
The use of benzodiazepines in children may lead to paradoxical reactions: feelings of irritability, excitement or aggression, motor restlessness, nightmares, delirium, hallucinations, attacks of aggression, psychosis and other behavioral disorders. If such symptoms develop, the use of the drug should be discontinued.
Due to the fact that the drug contains benzyl alcohol, it cannot be used for prescribing to premature or newborn babies.
An ampoule with the drug contains 30 mg of phenylcarbinol, and such a dose can lead to the development of intoxication and pseudo-anaphylactic symptoms in infants and children under 3 years of age.
1 ml of the medicine contains 0.1 g of ethyl alcohol, which must also be taken into account when using it in children.
Because the drug contains sodium benzoate, it increases the risk of jaundice in newborn babies.
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Analogues
Analogues of the drug are Relium, Diazepam and Sibazon.
Reviews
Relanium helps to cope with seizures or epilepsy, and also demonstrates effectiveness in insomnia and anxiety disorders. Among the disadvantages, patient reviews note frequent and numerous side effects and the presence of many contraindications.
This drug can be used only with the doctor's prescription and under his constant supervision.
Attention!
To simplify the perception of information, this instruction for use of the drug "Relanium" translated and presented in a special form on the basis of the official instructions for medical use of the drug. Before use read the annotation that came directly to medicines.
Description provided for informational purposes and is not a guide to self-healing. The need for this drug, the purpose of the treatment regimen, methods and dose of the drug is determined solely by the attending physician. Self-medication is dangerous for your health.