NPTE Pharmacology 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Tranquilizers like diazepam are primarily used to alleviate anxiety. They are classified as benzodiazepines, which enhance the effect of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain, leading to a calming effect on the central nervous system. This action helps to reduce feelings of anxiety and promotes relaxation.

In addition to their anxiolytic properties, benzodiazepines can also be used for other medical conditions, such as muscle spasms, insomnia, and as part of anesthesia protocols. However, their most prominent and well-recognized indication remains the management of anxiety disorders and acute anxiety episodes.

While diazepam can also be used in specific situations to control seizures or as a muscle relaxant, its primary role in pharmacology is aimed at alleviating anxiety, making that the correct answer in this context. The other options, such as reducing fever or treating depression, don't align with the primary use of tranquilizers, which reinforces the appropriateness of identifying option B as the correct choice.