Diazepam: Anxiety Uses, Side Effects, Addiction (original) (raw)
Generic Name: diazepam
Brand Names: Valium, Diastat Acudial, Diastat, Diazepam Intensol
Discontinued Brand Names: Dizac, Qpam, Valrelease
Drug Class: Anxiolytics, Benzodiazepines, Anticonvulsants, Benzodiazepines
What is diazepam, and what is it used for?
Diazepam is a prescription oral medication that is used to treat anxiety. Diazepam also is used for the treatment of agitation, tremors, delirium, seizures, and hallucinations resulting from alcohol withdrawal. It is used for the treatment of seizures, relief of muscle spasms in some neurological diseases, and for sedation during surgery.
It belongs to the benzodiazepine family of drugs, the same family that includes:
- alprazolam (Xanax)
- clonazepam (Klonopin)
- lorazepam (Ativan)
- flurazepam (Dalmane)
Diazepam and other benzodiazepines act by enhancing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA is a neurotransmitter (a chemical that nerve cells use to communicate with each other) that inhibits activity in the brain. It is believed that excessive activity in the brain may lead to anxiety or other psychiatric disorders.
The FDA approved diazepam in November 1963.
Is diazepam addictive?
WARNING
Diazepam can lead to addiction (dependency), especially when higher dosages are used over prolonged periods of time. In patients addicted to diazepam or after prolonged use, abrupt discontinuation may cause symptoms of withdrawal such as:
Seizures can occur in more severe cases of withdrawal. Therefore, after extended use, diazepam should be slowly tapered under a doctor's supervision rather than abruptly stopped.
SLIDESHOW A Visual Guide to Generalized Anxiety Disorder See Slideshow
What are the side effects of diazepam?
The most common side effects of diazepam are:
Other important side effects include:
- Paradoxical reactions with excitability
- Muscle spasm
- Lack of sleep
- Rage
- Confusion
- Speech problems
- Double vision
Possible serious side effects:
- Respiratory depression
- Neutropenia
- Depression
What is the dosage for diazepam?
- Diazepam may be taken with or without food.
- Diazepam is disposed of by the liver and excreted mainly by the kidney. Dosages of diazepam may need to be lowered in patients with abnormal kidney function.
- The usual oral diazepam dose for anxiety or seizures is 2-10 mg given 2-4 times daily.
- The usual rectal dose is 0.2-0.5 mg/kg and depends on the age of the patient.
Health News
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Benzodiazepines, including diazepam, can cause fetal abnormalities and should not be used during pregnancy.
- Diazepam is excreted in breast milk and can affect nursing infants. Therefore, diazepam should not be used by women who are nursing.
What else should I know about diazepam?
What preparations of Valium (diazepam) are available?
- Tablets:2, 5 and 10 mg.
- Oral Solution: 1 mg/ml, 5 mg/ml.
- Injection Solution: 5 mg/ml.
- Intramuscular Device: 10 mg/2 ml.
- Rectal Gel: 2.5, 10 and 20 mg.
How should I keep Valium (diazepam) stored?
- Diazepam should be stored at room temperature, 15 C to 30 C (59 F to 86 F).
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Summary
Diazepam is a drug prescribed for the treatment of anxiety disorders; and agitation, tremors, delirium, seizures, and hallucinations that result from alcohol withdrawal. Diazepam can lead to addiction (dependency), especially when higher dosages are used over prolonged periods of time. The most common side effects of diazepam are drowsiness, fatigue, diarrhea, rash, euphoria, and ataxia (loss of balance). Do not use diazepam if pregnant or breastfeeding.
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Treatment & Diagnosis
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Medically Reviewed on 2/28/2023
References
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