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What is Diazepam?
Diazepam is a benzodiazepine. It affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety.
Diazepam is used for the managing of anxiety disorders or for the short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety. Diazepam may also be used to relieve disturbance, shakiness, and hallucinations during alcohol withdrawal and relieve certain types of muscle spasms. It may also be used to treat seizures, insomnia, and other conditions as determined by your Physician.
Diazepam may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medicine guide.
Important information know about Diazepam
You shouldn`t use this medicine if you are allergic to Diazepam, or if you have myasthenia gravis, severe liver disease, narrow-angle glaucoma, a severe breathing problem, or sleep apnea. This medicine can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Don`t use Diazepam if you are pregnant.
Before using Diazepam, tell your Physician if you have glaucoma, asthma or other inhalation problems, kidney or liver disease, seizures, or a record of drug or alcohol addiction, mental illness, depression, or suicidal thoughts.
Don`t drink alcohol while using Diazepam. This medicine can raise the effects of alcohol.
Never over dose your self with this medicine than your Physician has prescribed. An overdose of Diazepam can be fatal.
Before taking Diazepam
Diazepam may become addiction and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Diazepam should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medicine in a secure place where others cannot reach it. You shouldn`t uses this medicine if you are allergic to Diazepam, or if you have:
myasthenia gravis (a muscle weakness disorder);
severe liver disease;
narrow-angle glaucoma;
a severe breathing problem; or
Sleep apnea (breathing stops during sleep).
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose correction or particular tests to safely use this medicine. Before using Diazepam, tell your Physician if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
glaucoma;
asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), or other breathing problems;
kidney or liver disease;
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
a history of mental illness, depression, or suicidal thoughts or behavior; or
A history of drug or alcohol addiction.
Diazepam can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Don`t use this medicine while you are heavy with child. Inform your Physician if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medicine. Diazepam can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medicine without telling your Physician if you are breast-feeding a baby.
The narcotic effects of Diazepam may last longer in adults. Unintentional falls are general in elderly patients who use benzodiazepines. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental wound while you are using Diazepam. Don`t grant this medicine to a child younger than 6 months old.
How should I take Diazepam?
Take Diazepam dose exactly as it was prescribed by the physician. Never use the medicine in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your Physicians time period. Follow the directions as prescribed on the label.
Your Physician may irregularly change the dosage to make sure you receive the best outcome from this medicine.
Calculate the liquid form of Diazepam with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you don`t have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist about it.
Diazepam should be used for only a short time. Don`t use this medicine for more than 4 months without your Physician's advice. Don`t stop using Diazepam unexpectedly without first talking to your Physician advice. You may have increased seizures or withdrawal symptoms when you stop using Diazepam. Leaving symptoms include tremor, sweating, trouble sleeping, muscle cramps, stomach pain, vomiting, and unusual thoughts or behavior. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medicine finally. Contact your Physician if this medicine seems to stop working as well in treating your symptoms.
To be sure this medicine isn`t causing harmful effects, your blood and liver function may need to be tested on a ordinary basis. Don`t miss any listed visits to your Physician.
Store Diazepam at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
Keep record of how many tablets have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. Benzodiazepines are drugs of abuse and you should be conscious if any person in the family circle is using this medicine inappropriately or without a prescription.
What happens if I miss a dose?
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 listed time. Don`t take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too many of this medicine. An overdose of Diazepam can be fatal.
Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, confusion, limp or weak muscles, fainting, shallow breathing, or breathing that stops.
What should I avoid while taking Diazepam?
Don`t drink alcohol while using Diazepam. This medicine can enhance the effects of alcohol. Diazepam side effects that may impair your judgment or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Diazepam side effects
Get emergency medical help if you face any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your Physician at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior;
unusual risk-taking behavior, decreased inhibitions, no fear of danger;
depressed mood, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;
hyperactivity, anxiety, agitation, hostility;
double vision, hallucinations;
weak or shallow breathing;
feeling like you might pass out;
muscle twitching, tremor;
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
Urinating less than usual or not at all.
Less serious Diazepam side effects may include:
drowsiness, tired feeling;
dizziness, spinning sensation;
blurred vision;
sleep problems (insomnia), nightmares;
muscle weakness, lack of balance or coordination;
slurred speech;
nausea, vomiting, constipation;
headache, memory problems;
drooling or dry mouth;
skin rash; or
Loss of interest in sex.
This isn`t a complete list of diazepam side effects and others may occur. Call your Physician for medical advice about side effects.
What other drugs will affect Diazepam?
Before using Diazepam, inform your Physician if you frequently use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, other sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by Diazepam.
Before using Diazepam, inform your Physician if you use any other seizure medicines, or if you are using any of the following drugs:
cimetidine (Tagamet);
ketoconazole (Nizoral);
omeprazole (Prilosec);
phenytoin (Dilantin);
a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);
an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate);
medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, such as aripiprazole (Abilify), chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol), mesoridazine (Serentil), prochlorperazine (Compazine, Compro), promethazine (Pentazine, Phenergan, Phenadoz, Promethegan), and others;
narcotic medicines such as fentanyl (Duragesic, Actiq), hydrocodone (Lortab, Vicodin), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), methadone (Dolophine, Methadose), morphine (Kadian, MS Contin, Oramorph), oxycodone (OxyContin), and others; or
an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), citalopram (Celexa), doxepin (Sinequan), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), and others.
This list isn`t complete and there may be other drugs that can relate with Diazepam. Tell your Physician about all the prescription and over-the-counter medicines used. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other Physicians. Don`t start using a new medicine without informing your Physician.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can offer more information about Diazepam.
Diazepam is an anti-anxiety medication with powerful sedative effects that can be used for the treatment of convulsions, anxiety, muscle spasms. Diazepam is not recommended in the treatment of psychotic or severely depressed patients. Patients should be advised to abstain from alcohol and other CNS depressant drugs during treatment with diazepam.
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