Diazepam – Information, Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

Drug Trade Name: Valium

Category: Benzodiazepines

Generic Name: Diazepam

Introduction and Quick Information:

Diazepam has anticonvulsant, sedative, anxiolytic, amnesic, and muscle relaxant properties. Thus, it is generally prescribed for the treatment of delirium, agitation, hallucinations, seizures, tremors, alcohol withdrawal, and anxiety disorders. 

Is Diazepam Approved by U.S. FDA?

Diazepam was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) for the treatment anxiety disorder, insomnia, seizures including status epilepticus and more.  

Usage and Benefits of Diazepam:

Diazepam belongs to a group of medications called benzodiazepines which are prescribed for the treatment of various health condition. It is used for the treatment of anxiety, seizures including status epileptics, insomnia, restless legs syndrome, muscle spasm caused by tetanus, alcohol withdrawal and Meniere’s disease. In certain cases, it may also be prescribed before some medical procedures (such as endoscopies) to relieve tension and anxiety and some surgical treatment to stimulate amnesia.

Common Health Benefits of Diazepam

• Stopping seizures
• Relaxing muscles
• Reducing and treating anxiety symptoms
• Impairing short-term memory
• Reducing effects of insomnia

Diazepam helps by increasing the function of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in the brain. GABA is an essential chemical found in the brain that stops or slow down certain nerve movement and targets a specific area of the brain. This is the reason why it is also known as central nervous system depressant (CNS depressant).

Side Effects of Diazepam:

Diazepam side effects can be fatal and health injurious. Stop taking diazepam and seek medical assistance or attention if you experience any of below-mentioned side effects.

• Feeling like you might pass out
• Hyperactivity, aggression, hostility, agitation
• New or worsening seizures
• Tremor, muscle twitching
• Loss of bladder control
• Urinating less than usual or not at all
• Weak or shallow breathing
• Thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself
• Depressed mood
• Unusual thoughts or behavior
• Hallucinations
• Confusion
• Decreased inhibitions
• No fear of danger
• Unusual risk-taking behavior
• Tired feeling
• Feeling restless or irritable
• Spinning sensation
• Drowsiness
• Memory problems
• Muscle weakness
• Dizziness
• Constipation, nausea
• Slurred speech, drooling or dry mouth
• Itching, mild skin rash
• Double vision, blurred vision
• Doss of interest in sexual activities
• Impaired balance
• Changes in libido

Besides these, there can be various other side effects. Thus, if you are taking Diazepam and observe any side-effect, it is advised to immediately call for medical assistance in order to avoid harmful complications.

General Recommended Dosages of Diazepam:

Take only the doctor prescribed dosage of diazepam. Also, don’t try to make changes to dose, i.e. either smaller or larger doses as this can affect the efficacy of the drug and can even cause an overdose. Moreover, any changes to the doses should only be made by your doctor, as they can prescribe the appropriate dosage for the best results.

Also, Diazepam is generally prescribed only for a short time period. It is strictly advised that no one should take medicine for a  period longer than 3 months (12 weeks) without a doctor’s prescription.

Moreover, it is advised to not suddenly stop taking diazepam as it can cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as increased seizures. If you want to stop using this medicine, it is advised to consult a doctor as they can make changes to your dosage, i.e. reduce them so that you can eventually stop consuming it. 

In Case I Miss a Dose?

You can consume the missed dosage as soon as you remember it. But, make sure that when you take it, you are not overlapping with the next dosage as it can cause an overdose of the drug. 

In Case I Take Overdose?

The overdose of Diazepam can cause various side effects such as extreme drowsiness, limp and weakened muscles, loss of balance and coordination, and even fainting. Thus, if you observe any of these side-effects it is advised to call for immediate medical attention.

Drug Interaction of Diazepam:

Before taking diazepam, tell your doctor if you have been using other medicines or drugs such as allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxers, medicine for anxiety or depression, or any kind of sedatives.

Following is a list of drugs that can cause harmful interactions with diazepam:

• Anti-fungal medicines such as ketoconazole (Nizoral), voriconazole (VFEND), miconazole (Oravig), itraconazole (Onmel).
• Heart and hypertension medicines such as diltiazem (Cardizem), nicardipine (Cardene), quinidine (Quinora), verapamil (Calan, Isoptin), amlodipine (Norvasc).
• Antibiotics such as Erythrocin (E.E.S. Granules), dalfopristin (Synercid), telithromycin (Ketek).
• Anti-depressants such as fluoxetine (PROzac)
• Cimetidine (Tagamet)
• Omeprazole (PriLOSEC)
• Phenytoin (Dilantin)
• HIV/AIDS medicine such as saquinavir (Invirase), delavirdine (Rescriptor), ritonavir (Norvir), nelfinavir (Viracept), etc.

There are various other drugs that can interact with diazepam. Thus, it is advised to tell your medical health provider about all the medications you are taking so that they can inform you about all the interaction risks with the prescription.

Lifestyle and Food Habits You Must Follow When on Diazepam:

While taking Diazepam, you should be equally careful with your food and lifestyle habits. Also, you should never share or recommend this medicine with or without telling your doctor as you are not authorized to prescribe this medicine. The medicine should only be prescribed by a certified doctor.

Also, you must tell your doctor if you have a history of drug abuse or addiction. You should not take this medicine if you have an allergic reaction to diazepam or similar drugs of medication such as alprazolam (Xanax), lorazepam (Ativan), clonazepam (Klonopin), etc.

Tell your doctor if you have-

• Narrow-angle glaucoma
• Severe liver disease
• Breathing problems
• Sleep apnea
• Myasthenia gravis ( a muscle weakness disorder)
• Liver disease or kidney
• Open-angle glaucoma
• Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
• A history of drug or alcohol addiction
• Suicidal thoughts or behavior, depression, mental illness
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, bronchitis
• Asthma, emphysema

You can ask for diet and lifestyle routine which you need to follow while taking this medicine.

How Safe is Diazepam for Pregnant Women or Nursing Mothers?

Diazepam lies in the U.S. FDA pregnancy category D, which means that its use should be avoided during pregnancy. This is because the use of Diazepam and other benzodiazepine drugs have been associated with congenital malformations and abnormal childbirth.

Also, in case of nursing mothers, the use of Diazepam should be avoided as it can accumulate in the breastfed employee and can be harmful to them. Thus, the mothers should either give up on breastfeeding or the use of the medical drug.

Complications and Condition Due to Prolonged Use of Diazepam:

Diazepam may have habit-forming capabilities hence you should not use this medicine without a doctor’s prescription or when the prescription period is over. Also, it is advised not to share diazepam with any other family member or friend or anyone else. Especially if someone has drug abuse or addiction. 

Availability of Diazepam:

Diazepam is an FDA approved drug and available at government or FDA approved stores. You can buy this medicine from online stores as well after providing required information related to your prescription.