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Diazepam and other benzodiazepines exert their antispastic activities through the benzodiazepine-GABAA receptor complex. This is an inotropic effect mediated through the chloride channel.
Mechanisms of action of these compounds include the following:
- Enhancement of presynaptic inhibition at the spinal cord level
- Inhibition of monosynaptic and polysynaptic spinal cord reflexes
- Facilitation of post-synaptic inhibition by the reticular system within the spinal cord