Glass 100ml bottle in box of Valium 2 syrup (diazepam), in original carton. Bottle: 120 mm x 40 mm diameter, 255 g. Produced by Roche, English, expires 1983.

Disorders such as anxiety and severe agitation are treated using ‘Valium’. It is the brand name for diazepam, a sedative drug. It also treats psychiatric illnesses such as bipolar disorder, and controls convulsions. Valium was first prescribed in 1963 and is still dispensed today. The drug became known as ‘mother’s little helper’ in the 1960s and 1970s due to the large numbers of women taking it. Valium became hugely popular and remains the bestselling pharmaceutical in history, as of 2010.

This bottle contains 100ml of Valium syrup. It is seen on the left. A smaller drop bottle of Valium (1989-168/5) is on the right. Both were manufactured by pharmaceutical company Roche, specifically for the French market.