Diazepam (
Valium®) is a prescription medication that is used to treat the following conditions:
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with diazepam. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Coordination problems.
(Click Diazepam Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking It?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking this drug if you have:
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Diazepam is part of a group of medicines called benzodiazepines. These medicines have several effects on the body, including:
- Reducing anxiety
- Causing sleepiness
- Relaxing muscles
- Stopping seizures
- Impairing short-term memory.
All medicines in this category can have these effects to some degree, depending on the specific benzodiazepine that is being taken. They work in the brain by enhancing the effects of
gamma-aminobutyric acid (
GABA), a brain chemical that is naturally calming. GABA can slow down or stop certain nerve signals in the brain. This is why diazepam and other benzodiazepines are known as mild tranquilizers, sedatives, or central nervous system depressants (CNS depressants).
When and How to Take Diazepam
Some general considerations for when and how to take this drug include:
- Diazepam comes in tablet, oral liquid, and injectable forms. When used orally, it is usually taken three or four times a day (or sometimes more or less often).
- The drug can be taken with or without food. If it bothers your stomach, try taking it with food.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Diazepam may cause serious problems if you take it at higher dosages or for a longer period of time than your healthcare provider recommends (see Valium Addiction).
Dosing Information for Diazepam
The dose that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- The medical condition being treated
- Your age
- Other medications you may be taking
- Other medical conditions you may have.
As always, do not adjust your diazepam dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
Drug Interactions With Diazepam
What If I Take an Overdose?
People who take too much of this medication may have overdose symptoms that could include:
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Coma
- Slow reflexes.
If you happen to overdose, seek medical attention immediately.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you do not take your diazepam as scheduled, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not double your dose of diazepam.
Diazepam is currently made by Roche Products, Inc.
Diazepam is also available as an oral liquid and an injection.
Is There a Generic Version of Diazepam?
Currently, both brand-name and generic versions of the drug are licensed for sale
(see Generic Valium).
