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Valium

Valium is a medication for the treatment of anxiety and alcohol withdrawal. First entering the U.S. market in 1963, Valium became controversial as a widely prescribed tranquilizer and widespread abuse. Valium began to be prescribed in high numbers by general physician, and not mental health professionals. It was believed initially that Valium was not addictive and was nearly impossible to be taken in a lethal dose by a suicidal person.

In about ten years on the market Valium had been prescribed to 59.3 million patients. Accounting for 81% of the tranquilizer market in the U.S., critics felt Valium was over marketed by Hoffman-LaRoche. Around 1975 Valium was being abused on the street as an illegal drug. Valium was still considered generally safe, but soon reports of dependency and withdrawal began to be made. Hoffman-LaRoche was accused of failing to adequately warn physicians and patients of the risk of dependency and ignoring early warnings of serious Valium complications.

A 1981 report made a possible link between Valium and the rapid growth of cancer cells, further affecting the once popular prescription Valium. If you would like more information on Valium, please contact us.

MedLine Plus Drug Information - Guide to prescription and over-the-counter medications provided by the United States Pharmacopeia.

Celgene.com - Thalidomide history and important information.