Diazepam

💊 What is Diazepam used for?

• •Management of anxiety disorders, or short-term relief of anxiety symptoms
• •Relief of symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawal, such as agitation, tremor, delirium tremens, and hallucinosis
• •Adjunct (added to other treatment) for relief of skeletal muscle spasm, including spasm caused by muscle or joint inflammation or injury
• •Adjunct for spasticity caused by upper motor neuron disorders (such as cerebral palsy and paraplegia), athetosis, and stiff-man syndrome
• •Adjunct in convulsive (seizure) disorders. The label says it has not proved useful as the only therapy for seizures.

How it works

The label does not describe how the medicine works in the body.

How it is usually taken

• •Take diazepam tablets by mouth. The label says the dose should be individualized for the best effect, and that the dose may be raised slowly if needed to avoid side effects. Follow the instructions from your prescriber or pharmacist. The label says that if you stop or cut back, a gradual taper (a slow, step-by-step reduction) is used to lower the risk of withdrawal reactions. The label also notes that its effectiveness for use longer than 4 months has not been assessed, and that your doctor should review whether it is still useful for you from time to time.

Comes as

• •2 mg tablets: white to off-white, round, scored, marked MYLAN over 271
• •5 mg tablets: orange, round, scored, marked MYLAN over 345
• •10 mg tablets: strength listed on the label (the label text provided is cut off before the full description)

⚠️ Diazepam side effects

🛑 Who should not take Diazepam, and who should be careful

The label says not to take it if

• 🚨You are allergic to diazepam or any ingredient in the tablets
• 🚨You have myasthenia gravis, a disease that causes muscle weakness
• 🚨You have severe breathing problems (severe respiratory insufficiency)
• 🚨You have severe liver problems
• 🚨You have sleep apnea syndrome
• 🚨You have acute narrow-angle glaucoma. The label says diazepam may be used in people with open-angle glaucoma who are receiving appropriate therapy.

Tell your doctor before taking it if

• •Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had depression, mood problems, or suicidal thoughts or behavior.
• •Tell your provider if you have lung disease or breathing problems.
• •Tell your provider if you have liver or kidney problems.
• •Tell your provider if you have abused or depended on alcohol, prescription medicines, or street drugs.
• •Tell your provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding or plan to.
• •The label says diazepam is a federal controlled substance. Keep it in a safe place away from children, and do not share it with others.
• •The label says not to drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how the medicine affects you, especially if you also take opioids.
• •The label says it is not known whether diazepam tablets are safe and effective in children under 6 months of age.

🔀 Diazepam with other medicines, food and alcohol

The label says to discuss these with your doctor or pharmacist

• •Opioid medicines: the boxed warning says the combination may cause profound sedation, breathing problems, coma, and death.
• •Alcohol and other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including street drugs: these can cause severe drowsiness, breathing problems, coma, and death.
• •Other sedatives: the label says the risk of falls and fractures is higher with other sedatives.
• •Flumazenil (a benzodiazepine antagonist): the label says it may trigger acute withdrawal reactions, which can be life-threatening.
• •Other substances linked to abuse, misuse, or addiction, such as stimulants: the label says to avoid or minimize these combinations.
• •Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you take, including prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal products.

Alcohol and food

The label warns against combining diazepam with alcohol, opioids, or other CNS depressants because of the risk of severe drowsiness, breathing problems, coma, and death. The label text provided does not describe any specific food requirements.

🤰 Diazepam in pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy

The label says that taking diazepam late in pregnancy may cause the baby to have sedation symptoms (breathing problems, sluggishness, low muscle tone) and/or withdrawal symptoms (jitteriness, irritability, restlessness, shaking, excessive crying, feeding problems). Tell your provider right away if you become pregnant or think you may be pregnant. The label mentions a pregnancy registry, the National Pregnancy Registry for Psychiatric Medications (1-866-961-2388).

Breastfeeding

The label says diazepam passes into breast milk. Breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment with diazepam tablets. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby.

🗓️ Storage, missed doses and taking too much

Storage

Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F) and protect from light. The label says it is dispensed in a tight, light-resistant container with a child-resistant closure. Keep it in a safe place away from children. The label says the medicine is available in bottles of 100 and 500 tablets.

If a dose is missed

The label does not say.

If too much is taken

The label says overdose causes central nervous system depression, ranging from drowsiness to coma. Milder cases may include drowsiness, confusion, slurred speech, lethargy, diminished reflexes, poor coordination, and low muscle tone. Rarely, agitation, irritability, violent behavior, or other paradoxical reactions may occur. Severe cases may cause slowed or stopped breathing and coma. Overdose combined with alcohol or opioids may be fatal. If you think someone has taken too much, get emergency medical help right away.

🗒️ Questions to ask about Diazepam

• How long do I need to take diazepam, and when will my doctor review whether I still need it?
• What is the safest way to stop or cut back, and what withdrawal signs should I watch for?
• Are any of my other medicines, including opioids, alcohol, or sleep aids, risky to combine with diazepam?
• Will this medicine affect my ability to drive or use machinery?
• What should I do if I think I have taken too much?
• Could diazepam affect my mood or thoughts of self-harm, and what signs should I report?

❓ Diazepam: frequently asked questions