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How often can you take valium


How and when to take diazepam

Dosage

Your doctor will decide the right dose of diazepam for you. It's important to take diazepam exactly as your doctor tells you to.

Dosage for tablets and liquid

The usual dose is:

  • anxiety – 2mg, taken 3 times a day, this can be increased to 5mg to 10mg, taken 3 times a day
  • sleep problems (related to anxiety) – 5mg to 15mg, taken once a day at bedtime
  • muscle spasms in adults – 2mg to 15 mg a day. This can be taken as 1mg twice a day and can go up to 5mg taken 3 times a day. The dose can be increased to up to 20mg, taken 3 times a day if needed
  • muscle spasms in children (aged 1 month to 17 years) – the dose varies depending on age. It's usually taken twice a day, with 10 to 12 hours between each dose

Your dose might be lower if you're over 65 or have kidney or liver problems or severe breathing problems.

Dosage for rectal tubes

Your doctor will decide the right dose of diazepam rectal tubes for you or your child according to your weight, age and general health.

How to take or use it

How to take tablets and liquid

Take diazepam tablets or liquid with a drink of water. You can take them with or without food.

If you're taking diazepam as a liquid, the medicine will come with a plastic syringe or spoon to help you measure out the right dose. If you do not have a syringe or spoon, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not measure the right amount.

How to use rectal tubes

Diazepam rectal tubes (or rectal diazepam) can be used if you or your child is having a seizure or fit.

If you have been prescribed rectal tubes, it's important that a family member, friend or carer knows how to give you this medicine. This may vary between different brands. Read the instructions that come with the medicine carefully.

If you're having a seizure, they also need to know how long to wait before giving you rectal diazepam. This depends on the type of seizure and how long it lasts.

Before prescribing diazepam rectal tubes your doctor will talk to you and your family member or carer about how to recognise the type of seizure that should be treated with this medicine. They will also teach your family member or carer how to give the medicine.

How long to take it for

How long you'll need to take diazepam for depends on why you're taking it. It is usually only recommended for a short period of time of up to 4 weeks.

If you're prescribed diazepam for more than 4 weeks, your dose may be reduced gradually to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

If you forget to take it

If you're taking diazepam regularly and forget to take a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. In this case, just leave out the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.

Never take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.

If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to remember to take your medicine.

If you take too much

If you take more than your prescribed dose of diazepam you may get symptoms including:

  • poor co-ordination or trouble speaking
  • feeling sleepy
  • a slow or irregular heartbeat
  • uncontrolled eye movements
  • muscle weakness
  • feeling overexcited

The amount of diazepam that can lead to an overdose varies from person to person.

Urgent advice: Contact 111 for advice now if:

  • you take more than your prescribed dose of diazepam

Go to 111.nhs.uk or call 111

If you need to go to A&E, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.

Take the diazepam packet, or the leaflet inside it, plus any remaining medicine with you.

Page last reviewed: 3 February 2022
Next review due: 3 February 2025

Side effects, dosage, uses, and more

  1. Diazepam oral tablet is available as both a generic and a brand-name drug. Brand name: Valium.
  2. It is also available as an oral solution, an intravenous injection, a liquid nasal spray, and a rectal gel.
  3. Diazepam is used to treat anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, muscle spasms, and certain types of seizure.

Diazepam oral tablet is a controlled substance drug that’s available as the brand-name drug Valium. It’s also available as a generic drug. Generic drugs usually cost less. In some cases, they may not be available in every strength or form as the brand-name version.

Diazepam is also available as an oral solution, an intravenous injection, a liquid nasal spray, and a rectal gel.

Why it’s used

Diazepam oral tablet is used to treat the following conditions:

  • anxiety
  • symptoms caused by alcohol withdrawal, such as agitation or tremors
  • add-on treatment for skeletal muscle spasms
  • add-on treatment for certain types of seizure

It may be used as part of a combination therapy. That means you need to take it with other drugs.

How it works

Diazepam belongs to a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. A class of drugs refers to medications that work similarly. They have a similar chemical structure and are often used to treat similar conditions.

Diazepam increases the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a special chemical that can send signals throughout your nervous system. If you don’t have enough GABA, your body may be in an excited state and cause you to have anxiety, get muscle spasms, or have seizures. When you take this drug, you’ll have more GABA in your body. This will help decrease your anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures.

Diazepam can cause mild or severe side effects.

Diazepam oral tablet can slow down your brain’s activity and interfere with your judgment, thinking, and motor skills. You shouldn’t drink alcohol or use other drugs that can also slow down your brain’s activity while you’re taking diazepam. You also shouldn’t drive, operate machinery, or do other tasks that require alertness until you know how this drug affects you. There are additional effects that you should also be aware of.

The following list contains some of the key side effects that may occur while taking diazepam. This list does not include all possible side effects. For more information on the possible side effects of diazepam, or for tips on how to deal with a troubling side effect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

More common side effects

The more common side effects that can occur with diazepam include:

  • drowsiness
  • tiredness or fatigue
  • muscle weakness
  • inability to control muscle movements (ataxia)
  • headache
  • tremor
  • dizziness
  • dry mouth or excessive saliva
  • nausea
  • constipation

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

  • Worsening of seizures. Symptoms can include:
    • increase in frequency
    • increase in severity
  • Changes in the brain or how you think. Symptoms can include:
    • depression
    • confusion
    • feelings of the room spinning (vertigo)
    • slowed or slurred speech
    • double or blurred vision
    • thoughts of suicide
    • memory loss
  • Unexpected reactions. Symptoms can include:
    • extreme excitement
    • anxiety
    • hallucinations
    • increased muscle spasms
    • trouble sleeping
    • agitation
  • Liver problems. Symptoms can include:
    • yellowing of your skin or whites of your eyes (jaundice)
  • Bladder problems. Symptoms can include:
    • inability to urinate
    • inability to hold urine
  • Increase or decrease in sex drive.
  • Withdrawal. Symptoms can include:
    • tremor
    • abdominal or muscle cramps
    • sweating
    • convulsions

The diazepam dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • the type and severity of the condition you’re using diazepam to treat
  • your age
  • the form of diazepam you take
  • other medical conditions you may have

Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage and adjust it over time to reach the dosage that’s right for you. They’ll ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to suit your needs.

Forms and strengths

Generic: diazepam

  • Form: oral tablet
  • Strengths: 2 milligrams (mg), 5 mg, and 10 mg

Brand: Valium

  • Form: oral tablet
  • Strengths: 2 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg

Dosage for anxiety

Adult dosage (ages 18 to 64 years)

The standard dosage is 2 mg to 10 mg taken by mouth two to four times per day.

Child dosage (ages 0 to 5 months)

This drug hasn’t been studied in children and shouldn’t be used in children under the age of 6 months.

Child dosage (ages 6 months to 17 years)
  • The usual starting dosage is 1 mg to 2.5 mg taken by mouth three to four times per day.
  • Your doctor will start you at the lowest dosage and increase it as needed based on how you’re responding to and tolerating this medication.
Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)
  • The usual starting dosage is 2 mg to 2.5 mg taken by mouth one or two times per day.
  • Your doctor will slowly increase your dosage as needed based on how you’re responding to and tolerating this medication.
  • Your body processes this drug more slowly. Your doctor may start you on a lower dosage so that too much of this drug doesn’t build up in your body. Too much of the drug in your body can be toxic.
Special considerations

People with debilitating disease:

  • The usual starting dosage is 2 mg to 2. 5 mg, given one or two times per day.
  • Your doctor will slowly increase your dosage as needed based on how you’re responding to and tolerating this medication.

Dosage for acute alcohol withdrawal

Adult dosage (ages 18 to 64 years)

The standard dosage is 10 mg taken by mouth three to four times during the first 24 hours. This will be reduced to 5 mg taken three to four times per day as needed, based on withdrawal symptoms.

Child dosage (ages 0 to 5 months)

This drug hasn’t been studied in children and shouldn’t be used in children under the age of 6 months.

Child dosage (ages 6 months to 17 years)
  • The usual starting dosage is 1 mg to 2.5 mg taken by mouth three or four times per day.
  • Your doctor will start you at the lowest dosage and increase it as needed based on how you’re responding to and tolerating this medication.
Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)
  • The usual starting dosage is 2 mg to 2. 5 mg taken by mouth one or two times per day.
  • Your doctor will slowly increase your dosage as needed based on how you’re responding to and tolerating this medication.
  • Your body processes this drug more slowly. Your doctor may start you on a lower dosage so that too much of this drug doesn’t build up in your body. Too much of the drug in your body can be toxic.
Special considerations

People with debilitating disease:

  • The usual starting dosage is 2 mg to 2.5 mg, given one or two times per day.
  • Your doctor will slowly increase your dosage as needed based on how you’re responding to and tolerating this medication.

Dosage for add-on treatment of muscle spasms

Adult dosage (ages 18 to 64 years)

The standard dosage is 2 mg to 10 mg taken by mouth three or four times per day.

Child dosage (ages 0 to 5 months)

This drug hasn’t been studied in children and shouldn’t be used in children under the age of 6 months.

Child dosage (ages 6 months to 17 years)
  • The usual starting dosage is 1 mg to 2.5 mg taken by mouth three to four times per day.
  • Your doctor will start you at the lowest dosage and increase it as needed based on how you’re responding to and tolerating this medication.
Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)
  • The usual starting dosage is 2 mg to 2.5 mg taken by mouth one to two times per day.
  • Your doctor will slowly increase your dosage as needed based on how you’re responding to and tolerating this medication.
  • Your body processes this drug more slowly. Your doctor may start you on a lower dosage so that too much of this drug doesn’t build up in your body. Too much of the drug in your body can be toxic.
Special considerations

People with debilitating disease:

  • The usual starting dosage is 2 mg to 2.5 mg, given one to two times per day.
  • Your doctor will slowly increase your dosage as needed based on how you’re responding to and tolerating this medication.

Dosage for add-on treatment for seizures in people with epilepsy

Adult dosage (ages 18 to 64 years)

The standard dosage is 2 mg to 10 mg taken by mouth two to four times per day.

Your doctor will start you at the lowest dosage and increase it as needed based on how you’re responding to and tolerating this medication.

Child dosage (ages 0 to 5 months)

This drug hasn’t been studied in children and shouldn’t be used in children under the age of 6 months.

Child dosage (ages 6 months to 17 years)
  • The usual starting dosage is 1 mg to 2.5 mg taken by mouth three to four times per day.
  • Your doctor will start you at the lowest dosage and increase it as needed based on how you’re responding to and tolerating this medication.
Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)
  • The usual starting dosage is 2 mg to 2.5 mg taken by mouth one to two times per day.
  • Your doctor will slowly increase your dosage as needed based on how you’re responding to and tolerating this medication.
  • Your body processes this drug more slowly. Your doctor may start you on a lower dosage so that too much of this drug doesn’t build up in your body. Too much of the drug in your body can be toxic.
Special considerations

People with debilitating disease:

  • The usual starting dosage is 2 mg to 2.5 mg, given one to two times per day.
  • Your doctor will slowly increase your dosage as needed based on how you’re responding to and tolerating this medication.

Diazepam oral tablet is used for short-term treatment. It comes with serious risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.

If you miss a dose: Take it when you remember, but don’t take more than one dose per day. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could cause toxic side effects.

If you don’t take it: Your symptoms (anxiety, tremors or agitation from alcohol withdrawal, muscle spasms, or seizures) won’t get better.

If you suddenly stop taking it: You may have withdrawal symptoms, such as:

  • tremors
  • stomach and muscle cramps or pain
  • vomiting
  • sweating
  • headache
  • extreme anxiety
  • tension
  • restlessness
  • confusion
  • irritability
  • hallucinations
  • seizures

The risks of withdrawal are greater if you’ve been taking diazepam for a long time.

If you take too much: Taking too much of this drug can cause depression of your central nervous system (CNS). Symptoms include:

  • drowsiness
  • confusion
  • tiredness
  • poor reflexes
  • slowing or stopping of your breathing
  • dangerously low blood pressure
  • coma

This may even be fatal. If you think that you’ve taken too much, call your doctor or go to the emergency room right away. You may be given the drug flumazenil to reverse a benzodiazepine overdose. This drug may increase your risk for seizures.

How to tell the drug is working: Depending on what you’re using diazepam for, you will notice your symptoms (such as anxiety, agitation and tremors from alcohol withdrawal, muscle spasms, or seizures) decrease or stop.

It’s not known if diazepam is effective for long-term use (specifically longer than 4 months). Your doctor will regularly reassess your condition to see if diazepam is still appropriate for you to take.

This drug comes with several warnings.

FDA warnings

  • This drug has a black box warning. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A black box warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
  • Using diazepam with opioid drugs can cause dangerous effects. These can include severe drowsiness, slowed breathing, coma, and death. If your doctor prescribes diazepam with an opioid, they will monitor you closely. Examples of opioids include hydrocodone, codeine, and tramadol.
  • Using this drug, even as prescribed, can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal if you stop taking the drug suddenly. Withdrawal can be life threatening.
  • Taking this drug can also lead to misuse and addiction. Misuse of diazepam increases your risk for overdose and death.
  • Only take this drug as your doctor prescribes. Talk with your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about safely taking this drug.

Sedation warning

This drug can slow down your brain’s activity and interfere with your judgment, thinking, and motor skills. You shouldn’t drink alcohol or use other drugs that can also slow down your brain’s activity while you’re taking diazepam. You also shouldn’t drive, operate machinery, or do other tasks that require alertness until you know how this drug affects you.

Increased seizures warning

If you’re taking diazepam as an add-on therapy for treating seizures, you may need a higher dosage of your other seizure medications. This drug may cause more frequent and more severe seizures. If you suddenly stop taking diazepam, you may temporarily have more seizures.

Allergy warning

Diazepam can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms include:

  • trouble breathing
  • swelling of your throat or tongue
  • hives
  • rash

Don’t take this drug again if you’ve had an allergic reaction to it before. Taking it a second time after an allergic reaction could be fatal.

Food interactions

You shouldn’t drink grapefruit juice while taking diazepam. It may stop your liver from processing this drug correctly, causing more of it to stay in your body for longer. This may increase your risk for side effects.

Alcohol interaction

You shouldn’t drink alcohol while taking diazepam. This drug can interfere with your judgment, thinking, and motor skills. It can also make you drowsy and cause your breathing to slow down or stop.

Also, your body processes alcohol and this drug in similar ways. That means that if you drink alcohol, this drug might take longer to leave your body. This may cause worse side effects.

Warnings for people with certain health conditions

For people with kidney disease: Diazepam is removed from your body by your kidneys. If you have kidney problems, more of the drug may stay in your body for longer, putting you at risk for side effects. Your doctor may adjust your dosage and monitor you more closely.

For people with acute narrow-angle glaucoma: Talk to your doctor if you have glaucoma. Diazepam may be used in people with open-angle glaucoma, but it shouldn’t be used in people with acute narrow-angle glaucoma.

For people with a history of drug or alcohol abuse: Let your doctor know if you’ve had problems with drug or alcohol abuse. You may have a higher risk for becoming addicted, dependent, or tolerant to diazepam.

For people with liver disease: Diazepam is processed by your liver. If you have liver problems, more of this drug may stay in your body, putting you at risk for side effects. Your doctor may adjust your dosage of diazepam and monitor you more closely. If you have severe liver disease, you shouldn’t take this drug.

For people with mental health issues: Let your doctor know if you have a history of severe depression, or if you’ve ever thought about or tried to complete suicide. Diazepam may make these problems worse. Your doctor will monitor you more closely.

For people with myasthenia gravis: If you have myasthenia gravis, you shouldn’t take diazepam. Myasthenia gravis is a disease that causes extreme muscle weakness and tiredness.

For people with breathing problems: Let your doctor know if you have breathing problems. Diazepam affects your CNS and may make it more difficult for you to breathe or cause you to stop breathing. Your doctor may start you on a lower dosage and monitor you more closely. If your breathing problems are severe or you have sleep apnea, your doctor may prescribe a different medication for you instead.

Warnings for other groups

For pregnant people: Diazepam is a category D pregnancy drug. That means two things:

  1. Studies show a risk of adverse effects to the fetus when the mother takes the drug.
  2. The benefits of taking the drug during pregnancy may outweigh the potential risks in certain cases.

Taking this drug during pregnancy may cause babies to be born with deformities, muscle weakness, breathing and eating problems, low body temperatures, and withdrawal symptoms.

Tell your doctor if you’re pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Diazepam should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit for the mother justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

For people who are breastfeeding: Diazepam passes into breast milk and can cause serious effects in a child who is breastfed. You and your doctor may need to decide if you’ll take diazepam or breastfeed.

For seniors: Seniors may have a higher risk for side effects, such as motor ataxia (loss of muscle coordination while you move). This drug may also have more of a sedative effect in seniors. You may experience more dizziness, sleepiness, confusion, or a slowing or stopping of breathing. Your doctor will prescribe the lowest dosage possible to control your symptoms.

For children: Keep this drug out of the reach of children. The safety and effectiveness of diazepam in children under the age of 6 months hasn’t been established.

Diazepam can interact with several other medications. Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some can interfere with how well a drug works, while others can cause increased side effects.

Below is a list of medications that can interact with diazepam. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with diazepam.

Before taking diazepam, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also, tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with diazepam are listed below.

Acid-suppressing drugs

These drugs make it harder for the body to absorb diazepam. If you take them together, you may not get the full dose of diazepam, and it may not work as well. These drugs include:

  • famotidine
  • omeprazole
  • pantoprazole

Allergy or cold drugs

Taking certain drugs that treat allergies or colds along with diazepam can increase your risk for drowsiness or sleepiness. It can also cause your breathing to slow down or stop. These drugs include:

  • diphenhydramine
  • chlorpheniramine
  • promethazine
  • hydroxyzine

Antidepressants

Taking certain antidepressants with diazepam can increase your risk for drowsiness or sleepiness. It can also cause your breathing to slow down or stop. These drugs include:

  • amitriptyline
  • nortriptyline
  • doxepin
  • mirtazapine
  • trazodone

Antifungal drugs

These drugs block the enzyme that breaks down diazepam. This can increase the levels of diazepam in your body, putting you at higher risk for side effects such as drowsiness. These drugs include:

  • ketoconazole
  • fluconazole
  • itraconazole

Antipsychotic drugs

Taking certain antipsychotic drugs with diazepam can increase your risk for drowsiness or sleepiness. It can also cause your breathing to slow down or stop. These drugs include:

  • haloperidol
  • chlorpromazine
  • quetiapine
  • risperidone
  • olanzapine
  • clozapine

Anxiety drugs

Taking certain anxiety drugs with diazepam can increase your risk for drowsiness or sleepiness. It can also cause your breathing to slow down or stop. These drugs include:

  • lorazepam
  • clonazepam
  • alprazolam

Motion sickness drugs

Taking certain motion sickness drugs with diazepam can increase your risk for drowsiness or sleepiness. It can also cause your breathing to slow down or stop. These drugs include:

  • meclizine
  • dimenhydrinate

Other antiseizure drugs

Taking certain antiseizure drugs with diazepam can increase your risk for drowsiness or sleepiness. It can also cause your breathing to slow down or stop. These drugs include:

  • phenobarbital
  • phenytoin
  • levetiracetam
  • carbamazepine
  • topiramate
  • divalproex
  • valproate

Phenytoin, phenobarbital, and carbamazepine also affect the enzyme that breaks down diazepam. This can increase the levels of diazepam in your body, putting you at higher risk for these side effects.

Pain drugs

Taking certain pain drugs with diazepam can increase your risk for drowsiness or sleepiness. It can also cause your breathing to slow down or stop. These drugs include:

  • oxycodone
  • hydrocodone
  • morphine
  • hydromorphone
  • codeine

Sleep drugs

Taking certain sleep drugs with diazepam can increase your risk for drowsiness or sleepiness. It can also cause your breathing to slow down or stop. These drugs include:

  • zolpidem
  • eszopiclone
  • suvorexant
  • temazepam
  • triazolam

Tuberculosis drugs

These drugs make your body process diazepam faster, so there will be lower levels of the drug in your body. If you take them with diazepam, it may not work as well. These drugs include:

  • rifampin
  • rifabutin
  • rifapentine

Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes diazepam oral tablet for you.

General

  • Diazepam tablets can be crushed.

Storage

Store diazepam at room temperature, which is between 68°F (20°C) and 77°F (25°C). Also:

  • Protect it from light.
  • Keep it away from high temperatures.
  • Keep it away from areas where it could get wet, such as bathrooms. Store this drug away from moisture and damp locations.

Refills

This drug may be refilled if your doctor authorizes it on the prescription. It may only be refilled up to five times within 6 months after the prescription was given. After five refills or 6 months, whichever occurs first, you’ll need a new prescription from your doctor.

Travel

When traveling with your medication:

  • Always carry your medication with you in your carry-on bag.
  • Don’t worry about airport X-ray machines. They can’t hurt your medication.
  • You may need to show airport staff your pharmacy’s label to clearly identify the medication. Keep the original prescription label with you when traveling.
  • Don’t leave this medication in the car, especially when the temperature is hot or freezing.
  • Since this is a controlled substance, it might be difficult to get refills. Make sure you have enough medication before you leave on your trip.

Clinical monitoring

Before starting and during your treatment with diazepam, your doctor will check the following:

  • Liver function: These tests will help your doctor decide if diazepam is safe for you and if you need a lower dosage.
  • Kidney function: These tests will help your doctor decide if diazepam is safe for you and if you need a lower dosage.
  • Breathing rate: Your doctor will monitor your breathing rate during treatment to make sure it is not too low.
  • Mental status: Your doctor will monitor you to make sure you don’t have changes in thinking or memory.
  • Relief of symptoms: Your doctor will check if your symptoms have improved.

Your doctor will decide the right dosage for you. If needed, they’ll slowly and carefully increase your dosage to avoid side effects.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

Diazepam - instructions for use, doses, side effects, reviews of the drug Diazepam: - Encyclopedia of Drugs RLS

Description of the drug Diazepam (drops, 2 mg) is based on official instructions, approved by the manufacturer in 2005

Date of approval : 11.03.2005

Contents

  • Active substance
    • nine0015 ATX
  • Pharmacological group
  • Nosological classification (ICD-10)
  • Composition and form of release
  • pharmachologic effect nine0016
  • Indications
  • Contraindications
  • Dosage and administration
  • Side effects
  • Storage conditions nine0016
  • Shelf life
  • Reviews

Active ingredient

Diazepam* (Diazepam*)

ATX

N05BA01 Diazepam

Pharmacological group

Antiepileptic drugs

Anxiolytics

Nosological classification (ICD-10)

ICD-10 code list

  • F20 Schizophrenia nine0016
  • F48 Other neurotic disorders
  • F60 Specific personality disorders nine0016
  • G40 Epilepsy
  • G47. 0 Disorders of falling asleep and maintaining sleep [insomnia] nine0016
  • L30.9 Dermatitis, unspecified

Composition and formulation

1 dragee contains diazepam 2 or 5 mg, in vials of 30 pcs., 1 vial in a cardboard box.

1 ampoule with 2 ml solution for injection - 10 mg; in a blister 5 pcs., in a cardboard box 2 blisters.

Pharmacological action

Pharmacological action - tranquilizer , anxiolytic , muscle relaxant .

Indications

Neuroses, psychopathy, schizophrenia, insomnia, epilepsy, pruritic dermatoses. nine0005

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity, hepatic-renal failure, myasthenia gravis, angle-closure glaucoma, pregnancy.

Dosage and administration

Inside, adults - 4-15 mg per day in 2 divided doses (maximum daily dose - 60 mg, in a hospital setting). Infants older than 6 months - 0.1-0.8 mg / kg per day in 3-4 doses.

V/m, iv — 10-20 mg in multiples according to the indication.

Side effects

Dizziness, drowsiness, slow reaction, decreased mental and motor activity, muscle weakness, ataxia, dry mouth, dyspepsia, nausea, diarrhea, dyspnea, bronchospasm, galactorrhea, hyperprolactinemia, allergic reactions. nine0005

Storage conditions

In a dry, dark place, at a temperature of 15–25 °C.
Keep out of reach of children.

Expiration date

5 years.
Do not use after the expiry date which is stated on the package.

Arpimed

What Diazepam is and what it is used for

Diazepam belongs to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines. Used to treat anxiety, muscle spasm and seizures (seizures). nine0005

Diazepam is used to treat some conditions, including:

In adults

  • short-term relief (only 2-4 weeks) states of pronounced anxiety, which is an emotional state that is an emotional state, which is a state of sweating, and a state trembling, anxiety and palpitations, and may also be accompanied by insomnia (sleep disorder) or psychiatric disorders
    • nine0015 providing muscle relaxation in muscle spasm and cerebral palsy (a brain lesion characterized by impaired motor activity and rigidity or stiffness)
  • epilepsy (when taken with other drugs)
  • patients with symptoms of alcohol withdrawal
  • providing relaxation for restless patients during dental procedures

In children

  • to relieve tension and irritability caused by cerebral spasticity (a condition associated with a disease or injury that affects the brain or spinal cord, accompanied by weakness, uncoordinated movements, stiffness). nine0016
  • to relieve muscle spasm caused by tetanus (when taken with other drugs).

Both adults and children can take diazepam as a premedication before surgery to help them relax and fall asleep.

What you need to know before you use Diazepam

Do not take Diazepam and tell your doctor if:0016

  • breathing problems that may be severe, including slow and/or shallow breathing
  • suffer from depression (with or without anxiety) or hyperactivity
  • you have a phobia (fear of certain objects or situations) or other mental illnesses
  • myasthenia gravis (a condition characterized by rapid muscle weakness and fatigue)
  • sleep apnea (sleep disorder in which breathing stops during sleep)
    • nine0015 severe liver failure
  • porphyria (hereditary disorder, skin may blister, abdominal pain and nervous system disorders)
  • if you are planning to become pregnant or if you are pregnant (see Pregnancy and breast-feeding section).

    • Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking diazepam tablets:

    • you have a history of alcoholism or abuse of substances or drugs that cause dependence
    • you have heart and lung problems or acute kidney failure
    • Your loved one, recently died
    • you have a decrease in the level of albumin in the blood
    • you have a personality disorder
    • You have poor blood supply to the brain (arteriosclerosis)
    • In elderly patients, diazepam may cause confusion and muscle relaxation resulting in falls and bruises.
    • shortness of breath
    • Do you smoke
    • You suffer from depression
    • you have suicidal thoughts
    • history of epilepsy or seizures

    Other precautions

    • Mental side effects - Call your doctor if you experience side effects such as agitation, hyperactivity, restlessness, aggression, nightmares or hallucinations. These side effects are more likely to occur in children or the elderly.
    • Amnesia (characterized by partial or complete memory loss) - You may experience amnesia while taking this drug. Amnesia is more common with high doses of diazepam. nine0016
    • Dependence - there is a risk of dependence when taking this drug, which increases with increasing dose and duration of treatment, as well as in patients with a history of alcoholism and drug addiction. Therefore, diazepam should be taken as soon as possible for a short period of time
    • Tolerance - If after a few weeks you notice that the tablets do not work, as in the first weeks of treatment, you should inform your doctor about this. nine0016
    • Withdrawal - the drug should be discontinued gradually. Withdrawal symptoms develop while taking Diazepam, even when the usual doses are taken for a short period of time (see "If You Stop Taking Diazepam").

    Other medicines

    Tell your doctor if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. nine0134 Especially:

    • antidepressants (fluvoxamine, fluoxetine)
    • Antipsychotics, such as Clozapine (for the treatment of mental problems)
    • antihistamines (for the treatment of allergic reactions)
    • preparations for general anesthesia
    • sedatives (calming)
    • sleeping pills (used to improve sleep)
    • erythromycin (antibiotic)
    • muscle relaxants (suxamethonium, tubocurarine)
    • some strong painkillers, such as morphine (opioids) can cause euphoria when taken with diazepam, which may increase your desire to continue taking these drugs (addiction) or, conversely, you may become very drowsy
    • barbiturates, such as phenobarbital (to treat epilepsy and mental disorders)
    • medicines to lower high blood pressure, diuretics, nitrates (for heart disease) as these can cause your blood pressure to drop dramatically.
    • antacids (reduce gastric acidity) may slow down the absorption of diazepam into the body.

    Taking these drugs with diazepam may affect your mental state, make you sleepy, have respiratory depression and lower blood pressure. nine0005

    • disulfiram (for the treatment of alcohol dependence). Taking this drug with diazepam may cause drowsiness and may cause diazepam to be excreted from the body more slowly than usual.
    • antiepileptics, eg phenobarbital, phenytoin and carbamazepine, sodium valproate (diazepam may affect blood levels of these drugs). Diazepam may also affect the effectiveness of phenytoin.
    • theophylline (for the treatment of asthma and other respiratory disorders), may reduce the effect of diazepam, as it may cause the elimination of diazepam from the body faster than usual. nine0016
    • cimetidine, omeprazole , or esomeprazole (drugs that reduce stomach acid) may cause diazepam to be excreted from the body more slowly than usual.
    • rifampicin, for the treatment of infections (antibiotic) may cause an increased excretion of diazepam from the body. The effect of diazepam may be weakened.
    • amrenavir, atazanavir, ritonavir, delavirdine, efavirenz, indinavir, nelfinavir or saquinavir (antiviral drugs), fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole , or voriconazole (antifungal drugs) may cause diazepam to be eliminated from the body more slowly than usual and therefore increase the risk of side effects. This can lead to drowsiness and difficulty breathing.
    • isoniazid (used to treat tuberculosis), may cause diazepam to be excreted from the body more slowly than usual.
    • oral contraceptives - can slow down the excretion of diazepam from the body and increase its effect. Breakthrough bleeding can be observed while taking diazepam and oral contraceptives, but the contraceptive effect is not reduced.
    • cisapride (used to treat functional gastrointestinal disorders) may slow down the excretion of diazepam from the body.
    • corticosteroids (anti-inflammatory drugs) may reduce the effect of diazepam
    • levodopa (used to treat parkinsonism). Diazepam may reduce the effect of levodopa
    • valproic acid (used to treat epilepsy and psychiatric disorders) may slow the excretion of diazepam from the body and increase its duration of action
    • ketamine (anesthetic), diazepam increases the effect of ketamine.
    • lofexidine (helps improve tolerance to withdrawal symptoms associated with opiate withdrawal)
    • nabilone (to treat nausea and vomiting)
    • alpha blockers or moxonidine (used to lower high blood pressure)

    Taking diazepam with food and drink

    Do not drink alcohol while taking diazepam. Alcohol enhances the sedative effect of diazepam and may cause marked drowsiness.

    Grapefruit juice may increase blood levels of diazepam. If you are an elderly patient, suffering from cirrhosis or any of the conditions listed in section 2, then it may increase the sedative effect of Diazepam and you should inform your doctor or pharmacist about this. nine0005

    Drinks containing caffeine may reduce the effect of diazepam.

    Pregnancy and breast-feeding

    Do not take diazepam if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breast-feeding. If you take diazepam late in pregnancy or during labor, your baby may experience low body temperature, discomfort, and difficulty breathing. If you took the drug regularly in late pregnancy, your baby may develop withdrawal symptoms. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicines. nine0005

    Effects on ability to drive and use machines

    The drug may cause drowsiness, forgetfulness, poor coordination together with other effects may affect daily activities (see Possible side effects ).

    Therefore, you must refrain from driving or working with any machinery, from those activities in which you may put yourself at risk.

    This medicine may affect your ability to drive because it may make you drowsy or dizzy. nine0005

    • Do not drive if this drug is affecting you in this situation.
    • Do not drive while taking this drug unless you know how it affects you
    • However, it is not a violation if:
    • A drug prescribed to treat medical or dental problems and
    • You are taking it as recommended by your doctor or information provided in addition to the drug
    • This does not affect the ability to drive safely

    Important information about the ingredients included in Diazepam

    Diazepam Tablets contain lactose

    If you have informed that you have the intolerance of some sugars, before you take the doctor, form it's a cure.

    How to take Diazepam

    Always take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. You should not take diazepam for more than 4 weeks. If you have any doubts about taking the drug, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist. nine0005

    Tablets are swallowed whole with a glass of water.

    Dose

    Adults

    • For anxiety or psychiatric disorders: 5mg-30mg daily in divided doses
    • For insomnia: 5 mg - 15 mg at night.
    • For cerebral palsy or other spastic conditions: 5 mg-60 mg daily in divided doses
    • For muscle spasm: 5mg-15mg every day in 9 divided doses0016
    • For epilepsy: 2 mg to 60 mg daily in divided doses.
    • For relief of alcohol withdrawal symptoms: 5mg-20mg to be repeated after 2 to 4 hours if needed.
    • Pre-dental: 5mg at night prior to procedure, 5mg in the morning and 5mg 2 hours before procedure
    • For premedication: 5 mg - 20 mg

    Children

    For cerebral spasticity to eliminate tension and irritability:

    5 mg to 40 mg daily in divided doses.

    If your child has been given Diazepam by a doctor before surgery, the usual dose is 2mg-10mg.

    Elderly or sickly patients

    If you are an elderly or sickly patient, you are more sensitive to the effects of Diazepam, such as confusion, and your doctor should reduce the dose. The dose should not be more than half the adult dose. nine0005

    If you have liver or kidney problems, you should also lower your dose.

    If you have taken more diazepam than recommended

    If you (or someone else) has taken many tablets at the same time, or you suspect that a child may have swallowed the tablets, go to the nearest emergency room or immediately tell your doctor.

    In case of overdose, you may feel awkward and uncoordinated, feel drowsy or deep sleep, speech problems, irregular or slow heartbeat, uncontrolled eye movements, muscle weakness or agitation. nine0005

    Severe overdose can lead to coma (unconsciousness), impaired reflexes and difficulty breathing.

    If you forget to take diazepam

    Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.

    If you forget to take your next dose, take it as soon as you remember and continue taking the next dose as usual.

    If you stop taking Diazepam

    Do not stop taking the drug without consulting your doctor, because before stopping the drug, the dose should be gradually reduced until the drug is completely discontinued.

    If you suddenly stop taking Diazepam, you may experience unpleasant side effects including depression, nervousness, irritability, sweating or diarrhea. If you have taken a large dose, you may occasionally experience confusion, seizures, or unusual behavior. nine0005

    • Treatment should be discontinued gradually, otherwise the symptoms for which you have been treated may recur more intensely than before (relapsing insomnia and restlessness). The risk of all this increases with sudden discontinuation of the drug. You may also experience mood changes, anxiety, restlessness, or changes in sleep patterns.

    If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist. nine0005

    Possible side effects

    Like all medicines, diazepam can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

    Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects or if you experience side effects not listed in this package insert:

    Some side effects may be serious and require immediate medical attention:

    Uncommon: may affect 1 to 10 in 1,000 people

    • Respiratory depression (very slow and/or shallow breathing)

    Rare: may affect 1 to 10 in 10,000 people

    • Respiratory arrest
    • Loss of consciousness
    • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes)

    Very rare: may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people

    • anaphylactic reaction (acute allergic reaction) with symptoms such as sudden shortness of breath, swelling of the lips, tongue and throat or body, rash, fainting or difficulty swallowing .

    Other side effects:

    Very common: may affect up to 1 in 10 people

    Common: may affect 1 to 10 in 100 people

    • Fatigue
    • Withdrawal (possible symptoms see “If you stop taking Diazepam”)
    • Confusion
    • Lack of coordination of muscle movements (ataxia) and other movement disorders, tremor

    Uncommon: may affect 1 to 10 in 1,000 people

    • Muscle weakness
    • Loss of memory
    • Attention disorder
    • Vestibular disorders
    • Dizziness
    • Headache
    • Slurred speech
    • Gastrointestinal disorders such as nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea
    • Increased salivation
    • Skin allergic reactions in the form of itching, redness of the skin and swelling and skin rash.

    Rare: may affect up to 1 to 10 people in 10,000 . They can also acquire a severe course. These side effects are most likely to occur in children or the elderly. nine0005

    The attending physician should be informed.

    • Decreased vigilance
    • Depression
    • Emotional care
    • Insomnia
    • Heart problems such as a slower heartbeat (bradycardia), heart failure, and stopping the heartbeat (cardiac arrest).
    • Decreased blood pressure, syncope
    • Increased secretion of mucus in the lungs
    • Dry mouth
    • Increased appetite
    • Changes in the levels of certain liver enzymes as detected by liver tests
    • Lack of urination, loss of bladder sphincter control (urinary incontinence)
    • Male breast enlargement
    • Impotence, changes in sexual desire (libido)
    • Hematopoietic disorders (may cause sore throat, nosebleeds or infections)

    Very rare: may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people

    • Decreased white blood cell count (leukopenia)
    • Increase in the level of certain enzymes in the blood (transaminase)

    Unknown: frequency of occurrence cannot be estimated from the available data

    • Blurred vision, double vision and involuntary eye movements (these side effects disappear after diazepam is discontinued).

    Withdrawal syndrome: see “If you stop taking Diazepam”.

    Reporting side effects:

    If you notice any side effects, tell your doctor, pharmacist or pharmacist, including any side effects not listed on this leaflet - liner. You can also report side effects to Arpimed LLC by going to the website www.arpimed.com and filling out the appropriate form “Report a side effect or ineffectiveness of a drug” and to the Scientific Center for Expertise of Drugs and Medical Technologies named after. Academician E.Gabrielyan, by going to the website www.pharm.am in the section “Report a side effect of a drug” and fill out the form “Map of reporting a side effect of a drug”. Scientific center hotline: +37410237665; +37498773368.

    How to store Diazepam