Not valium

by MaryM

 

The previous poster is right - IV really isn't the preferred route for Valium -in the hospital-, with the exception of in the OR and in the ICU. Patients given IV Valium have coded - the stuff's a muscle relaxant - and it is considered too risky to give it that way to a patient that is not in a critical care area. I have checked the IV push drug protocols for two different area hospitals, (One of them's just been named one of the top hundred hospitals in the country) and neither allow it to be given that way with the exceptions of in the OR and ICU.

Ativan, on the other hand, is a better drug for 'taking the edge off' and can be given IV push easily without the risks associated with Valium. It's also more 'the drug of choice' for tranquilizing someone - it works more rapidly and effectively.

If you're going to use Valium, have it given IM. If you want the patient to get it IV, use Ativan.



Posted on Dec 30, 2000, 2:39 PM

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  1. ...or Versed. , Dec 30, 2000
    1. Ativan,Valium & Versed. Jr., Jun 23, 2002
  2. That makes sense.. , Mar 13, 2003

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