Diazepam is a medication used to treat anxiety muscle spasms and seizures. It is also used as a sedative for preoperative medication. Diazepam belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines which act on the brain and nerves (central nervous system) to produce a calming effect. It works by enhancing the effects of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA is a neurotransmitter that inhibits nerve transmission in the brain. This results in a decrease in nervous activity and causes a calming effect.
Diazepam is available as an oral tablet an oral solution an rectal gel and an injectable form. The injectable form is only given by a healthcare provider. Diazepam is usually taken 2-4 times daily. The oral tablet and solution can be taken with or without food. The rectal gel should be taken with a meal.
If you are using the rectal gel follow these steps:
Wash your hands with soap and water.
Apply a thin layer of the gel to the inside of your cheek.
Do not swallow the gel.
Allow the gel to dissolve in your mouth.
If you are using the oral tablet or solution take it with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.
Shake the oral solution well before each use.
Measure the oral solution with the measuring spoon that comes with the package.
Do not take more diazepam than prescribed. An overdose of diazepam can be fatal.
Diazepam may cause drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
Do not drink alcohol while taking diazepam. Alcohol can increase the effects of diazepam and may lead to serious side effects.
The following are some of the side effects that may occur with diazepam:
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Lack of coordination
Slurred speech
Blurred vision
Nausea
Vomiting
Constipation
Changes in appetite
Weight changes
Fatigue
Headache
Dry mouth
Rash
Itching
Yellowing of the skin or eyes
Seizures
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.
Call your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects including:
Memory problems
Mood changes
Depression
Anxiety
Agitation
Hallucinations
Confusion
Hyperactivity
Restlessness
Uncontrollable shaking of a part of your body
Severe drowsiness
Slow or shallow breathing
Yellowing of the skin or eyes
Dark urine
Clay-colored stools
Loss of appetite
Upper stomach pain
Jaundice
Easy bruising or bleeding
Weakness
Fever
Skin rash or hives
Swelling of the face throat tongue lips eyes hands feet ankles or lower legs
Difficulty breathing or swallowing
Hoarseness
Diazepam may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
In case of overdose call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org. If the person has collapsed or is not breathing call 911.
Symptoms of an overdose may include:
Lethargy
Coma
Shallow breathing
Slow heartbeat
Diazepam should be used with caution in elderly patients as they may be more sensitive to the effects of the medication.
Diazepam should be used with caution in pregnant women as it may cause harm to the developing fetus.
Diazepam should be used with caution in breastfeeding women as it may pass into breast milk and cause side effects in the nursing baby.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam is a medication used to treat anxiety muscle spasms and seizures. It is also used as a sedative for preoperative medication. Diazepam belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines which act on the brain and nerves (central nervous system) to produce a calming effect. It works by enhancing the effects of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA is a neurotransmitter that inhibits nerve transmission in the brain. This results in a decrease in nervous activity and causes a calming effect.
Diazepam is available as an oral tablet an oral solution an rectal gel and an injectable form. The injectable form is only given by a healthcare provider. Diazepam is usually taken 2-4 times daily. The oral tablet and solution can be taken with or without food. The rectal gel should be taken with a meal.
If you are using the rectal gel follow these steps:
Wash your hands with soap and water.
Apply a thin layer of the gel to the inside of your cheek.
Do not swallow the gel.
Allow the gel to dissolve in your mouth.
If you are using the oral tablet or solution take it with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.
Shake the oral solution well before each use.
Measure the oral solution with the measuring spoon that comes with the package.
Do not take more diazepam than prescribed. An overdose of diazepam can be fatal.
Diazepam may cause drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
Do not drink alcohol while taking diazepam. Alcohol can increase the effects of diazepam and may lead to serious side effects.
The following are some of the side effects that may occur with diazepam:
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Lack of coordination
Slurred speech
Blurred vision
Nausea
Vomiting
Constipation
Changes in appetite
Weight changes
Fatigue
Headache
Dry mouth
Rash
Itching
Yellowing of the skin or eyes
Seizures
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.
Call your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects including:
Memory problems
Mood changes
Depression
Anxiety
Agitation
Hallucinations
Confusion
Hyperactivity
Restlessness
Uncontrollable shaking of a part of your body
Severe drowsiness
Slow or shallow breathing
Yellowing of the skin or eyes
Dark urine
Clay-colored stools
Loss of appetite
Upper stomach pain
Jaundice
Easy bruising or bleeding
Weakness
Fever
Skin rash or hives
Swelling of the face throat tongue lips eyes hands feet ankles or lower legs
Difficulty breathing or swallowing
Hoarseness
Diazepam may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
In case of overdose call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org. If the person has collapsed or is not breathing call 911.
Symptoms of an overdose may include:
Lethargy
Coma
Shallow breathing
Slow heartbeat
Diazepam should be used with caution in elderly patients as they may be more sensitive to the effects of the medication.
Diazepam should be used with caution in pregnant women as it may cause harm to the developing fetus.
Diazepam should be used with caution in breastfeeding women as it may pass into breast milk and cause side effects in the nursing baby.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.
Diazepam may interact with other medications. Tell
What is diazepam?
Answer: Diazepam is a benzodiazepine (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peens).
It affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with anxiety.
How is diazepam used?
Answer: Diazepam is used to treat anxiety disorders alcohol withdrawal symptoms or muscle spasms.
What are the possible side effects of diazepam?
Answer: The most common side effects are drowsiness fatigue and lightheadedness.
What is the most important information I should know about diazepam?
Answer: You should not use diazepam if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
How should I take diazepam?
Answer: Take diazepam exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.
What happens if I miss a dose of diazepam?
Answer: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember.
If it is almost time for your next dose skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time.
Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose on diazepam?
Answer: Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
An overdose of diazepam can be fatal.
What should I avoid while taking diazepam?
Answer: Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of diazepam.
What other drugs will affect diazepam?
Answer: Taking diazepam with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect.
Ask your doctor before taking diazepam with a sleeping pill narcotic pain medicine muscle relaxer or medicine for anxiety depression or seizures.
Is diazepam addictive?
Answer: Diazepam can be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for.
What should I watch for while taking diazepam?
Answer: Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls accidents or severe injuries.
Avoid these activities while you are taking diazepam.
What happens if I drink alcohol while taking diazepam?
Answer: Drinking alcohol while taking diazepam can increase the effects of the alcohol and make you more drowsy.
Can I drive while taking diazepam?
Answer: No do not drive or operate heavy machinery while taking diazepam.
What should I do if I feel dizzy while taking diazepam?
Answer: If you feel dizzy lie down and wait for the feeling to pass.
What are the possible long-term effects of taking diazepam?
Answer: Long-term use of diazepam can lead to tolerance dependence and withdrawal.
