The in-vitro dissolution patterns of 5 commercial diazepam tablets (2mg) were examined by means of J. P. IX disintegration apparatus. The disintegration times of the tablets investigated varied between 30 and 660 sec. However, the dissolution patterns were not significantly related to the disintegration time, though they were dependent principally on the fluids used as dissolution media. In an acidic medium (ie, 1st fluid of J. P. IX), a rapid and similar dissolution pattern was observed with all the tablets; more than 92% of the final amount (dissolved in 120 min) dissolved within the first 10 min. But in a neutral and weakly alkaline medium (water and 2nd fluid of J. P. IX), some retarded and different patterns were observed. These results were discussed in view of the pharmaceutical factors and bioavailability.