Diazepam
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Diazepam (brand names: Valium, Dialar, Diazemuls, Diazepam Desitin, Diazepam RecTubes, Stesolid and Tensium) is a benzodiazepine which has a relatively long half-life. It is mostly used to treat anxiety[1], certain forms of epilepsy[1], muscle spasms (seizures[1]), fits[1], and sleeping problems. It can also be taken to help people relax before an operation or other medical or dental treatments. This is known as a pre-med.[1]
It works by increasing the levels of a calming chemical in the brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Like with other benzodiazepines, there is a risk of addiction if it is used for long periods of time. For this reason the drug is used to treat acute cases (2-4 weeks maximum) to avoid dependence.[1]
Pregnancy category: US:[14] D, AU:[15] C, UK:[1] 'You can take diazepam during pregnancy, but taking it for a long time, particularly towards the end of pregnancy, may make your baby drowsy after they are born'.
According to the World Health Organization diazepam is an essential drug. It has been the most prescribed medicine in the United States many times.
It is sometimes used recreationally to cause a calming effect. Diazepam has caused huge problems in Scotland in the past[16].
Taking diazepam[change | change source]
Most adults aged 18 years and over can take diazepam tablets and liquid. People aged over 65 might need to take a lower dose. Children aged 1 month and older can take it for muscle spasms. Diazepam rectal tubes can be used by adults and children.[1]
Conflicts (conditions)[change | change source]
Diazepam is not suitable for some people. To make sure that it is safe, report new, current, or past issues, such as:[1]
- allergic reactions to diazepam or any other medicine
- liver or kidney problems
- myasthenia gravis, a condition that causes muscle weakness
- sleep apnoea, a condition that causes breathing problems while asleep
- depression or thoughts of self harming or suicide
- having been diagnosed with a personality disorder
- having ever had problems with alcohol or drugs
- having recently had a loss or bereavement (family crisis)
- arteriosclerosis, a condition that affects the blood flow to the brain
- low levels of a protein called albumin in the blood
- are trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or breastfeeding
- being over 65 years old
- is going to be put to sleep (have a general anaesthetic) for an operation or other medical treatment
Conflicts with other medications[change | change source]
Some medicines affect the way diazepam works and increase the chances of side effects happening. Before taking diazepam, report other medications like:
- antipsychotics, used to treat mental health problems
- antidepressants, used to treat depression
- anticonvulsants, used to treat seizures
- hypnotics, used to treat anxiety or sleep problems
- drowsy or sedating antihistamines, such as chlorphenamine or promethazine
- strong painkillers, such as codeine, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, pethidine or tramadol
- HIV medicines, such as ritonavir, atazanavir, efavirenz or saquinavir
- antifungal medicines, such as fluconazole
- proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) – medicines for reducing stomach acid, such as omeprazole or esomeprazole
- muscle relaxants, such as baclofen or tizanidine
- disulfiram, a medicine for alcohol addiction
- isoniazid, a medicine for tuberculosis (TB)
- rifampicin, a medicine for bacterial infections
- theophylline, a medicine for asthma and other breathing problems
Do not take herbal remedies for anxiety or insomnia, such as valerian or passionflower, with diazepam. They can increase the drowsy effects of diazepam and may also have other side effects.[1]
There is not enough information to say that other herbal remedies and complementary medicines are safe to take with diazepam. They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They generally are not tested for the effect they have on other medicines.[1]
Side effects[change | change source]
Diazepam can cause severe allergic reactions. A doctor's appointment should be made if memory loss (amnesia) starts happening.[1]
Common side effects[change | change source]
There are things which help cope with common side effects. These common side effects of diazepam happen in more than 1 in 100 people:[1]
- feeling sleepy or drowsy
- confusion
- problems with co-ordination or controlling movements
- shaky hands (tremors)
Rare/Serious side effects[change | change source]
Call a doctor or ambulance/emergency services straight away if these side effects appear:[1]
- skin turns yellow, or whites of the eyes turn yellow (although this may be less obvious on brown or black skin)
- seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations)
- thinking things that are not true (delusions)
- falling over more often
- unusual mood changes such as talking more than usual or feeling overexcited, agitated, restless, irritable or aggressive. These side effects are more likely in children or in > (over) 65s
These are not the complete list of side effects. For the complete list, see the leaflet inside of the medicine packet.[1]
Long term side effects[change | change source]
Diazepam can cause withdrawal symptoms if it is taken for a long time.
If diazepam is prescribed for more than 4 weeks, the dose may be reduced gradually when it is time to stop taking it to prevent withdrawal symptoms.[1]
| Authority control: National |
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- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 "Diazepam: medicine for anxiety, muscle spasms and seizures". nhs.uk. 2022-02-07. Retrieved 2024-05-31.
- ↑ Edmunds M, Mayhew M (2013). Pharmacology for the Primary Care Provider (4th ed.). Mosby. p. 545. ISBN 978-0-323-08790-2. Archived from the original on 14 January 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
- ↑ Clinical Addiction Psychiatry. Cambridge University Press. 2010. p. 156. ISBN 978-1-139-49169-3. Archived from the original on 8 September 2017.
- ↑ Ries RK (2009). Principles of addiction medicine (4 ed.). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 106. ISBN 978-0-7817-7477-2. Archived from the original on 8 September 2017.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Valium". NPS MedicineWise. 31 January 2020. Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
- ↑ "Valtoco – diazepam spray". DailyMed. 13 January 2020. Archived from the original on 1 August 2020. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
- ↑ Cite error: The named reference
autowas used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page). - ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Diazepam Tablets BP 10 mg – Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)". (emc). 16 September 2019. Archived from the original on 25 July 2020. Retrieved 25 July 2020.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Diazepam Injection BP Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)". emc. 17 January 2022. Archived from the original on 25 January 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Cite error: The named reference
Valium FDA labelwas used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page). - ↑ "Libervant- diazepam film". DailyMed. 27 April 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
- ↑ Dhillon S, Oxley J, Richens A (March 1982). "Bioavailability of diazepam after intravenous, oral and rectal administration in adult epileptic patients". British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 13 (3): 427–32. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2125.1982.tb01397.x. PMC 1402110. PMID 7059446.
- ↑ Goodkin HP (2010). "Diazepam". In Panayiotopoulos CP (ed.). Atlas of Epilepsies. London: Springer. doi:10.1007/978-1-84882-128-6_263. ISBN 978-1-84882-128-6.
- ↑ Armstrong, Carrie (2008-09-15). "ACOG Guidelines on Psychiatric Medication Use During Pregnancy and Lactation". American Family Physician. 78 (6): 772–778.
- ↑ "Australian Product Information - VALIUM (diazepam)".
- ↑ "Street valium blamed for 'unprecedented' spike in drugs deaths". BBC News. 2019-01-28. Retrieved 2024-06-01.