Diazepam Valium Overview

Diazepam, first marketed as Valium, is a medicine of the benzodiazepine family that acts as an anxiolytic. It is commonly used to treat a range of conditions, including anxiety, seizures, alcohol withdrawal syndrome, muscle spasms, insomnia, and restless legs syndrome

How Diazepam Valium works

• Diazepam Valium is a brand (trade) name for diazepam, a medication that has anxiety-relieving, seizure-relieving, muscle relaxant, anticonvulsant, and amnestic effects.
• Valium (diazepam) is used for the short-term treatment of anxiety and seizure disorders. Diazepam is thought to work by enhancing the effects of GABA, which is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.
• Valium belongs to the class of medicines known as benzodiazepines.

Uses of Diazepam Valium

• May be used for the short-term relief of anxiety.
• May also be used to relieve symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal. Valium can help relieve alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as agitation, tremor, delirium tremens, or hallucinations.
• May be used in addition to other treatments to relieve muscle spasms due to inflammation, trauma, or conditions such as cerebral palsy or paraplegia.
• Can also be used in the treatment of prolonged seizures in conjunction with other anti-seizure medications. Valium has not proved useful as sole therapy.
• May be used in adults and children over the age of 6 months.
• Taken orally (by mouth).
• Available as 2mg, 5mg, and 10mg tablets.
• Valium is available as a generic under the name diazepam.

Side Effects

If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include:

• Drowsiness, muscle weakness, fatigue, and unsteadiness when standing; all of which may contribute to an increased risk of falls.
• May also cause confusion, depression, headache, nausea, incontinence, urinary retention, skin reactions, gastrointestinal disturbances, blurred vision, slurred speech, and low blood pressure.
• Amnesia (loss of short-term memory) is more likely to occur at higher dosages and has been associated with antisocial behavior.
• May impair reaction skills and affect a person’s ability to drive or operate machinery. Alcohol should be avoided because it can enhance the sedative effect.
• Valium is addictive and may cause emotional and physical dependence. It also carries a high potential for abuse. The use of Valium for longer than four months has not been assessed in clinical studies. Periodically reassess the need for this drug. A lower dosage may be needed in elderly patients.
• Withdrawal symptoms (including convulsions, tremors, cramps, vomiting, sweating, or insomnia) may occur with abrupt discontinuation of extended therapy; taper off slowly under a doctor’s supervision.
• Valium should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks because it has been associated with an increased risk of birth defects. Valium is incompatible with breastfeeding.
• Paradoxical reactions (the opposite of what is expected), such as worsening of insomnia, aggressiveness, hallucinations, extroversion, and rage have been reported, mainly in people with other mental health concerns.
• May interact with several other medicines, including other drugs that have sedation as a side effect, such as benzodiazepines (interaction may cause profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death). See prescribing information for a full list of interactions.