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Diazepam
(dye AH zeh pam)
Diastat, Valium |
What is the most important information I should know about diazepam?
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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing
other hazardous activities. Diazepam will cause drowsiness and may
cause dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness,
avoid these activities. |
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Avoid alcohol while taking diazepam. Alcohol may increase
drowsiness and dizziness caused by diazepam. Alcohol may also
increase the risk of having a seizure if diazepam is being taken
for a seizure condition. |
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Diazepam is habit forming. You can become physically and
psychologically dependent on the medication. Do not take more than
the prescribed amount of medication or take it for longer than is
directed by your doctor.
Withdrawal effects may occur if diazepam is stopped suddenly after
several weeks of continuous use. Your doctor may recommend a
gradual reduction in dose. |
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Diazepam is in a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. Diazepam
affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and
cause anxiety, seizures, and muscle spasms. |
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Diazepam is used to relieve anxiety,
nervousness, and tension associated with anxiety disorders.
It is also used to treat certain types of seizure disorders and
muscle spasms.
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Diazepam may also be used for purposes other than those listed
in this medication guide. |
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider
before taking diazepam?
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Do not take diazepam if you have narrow-angle glaucoma. Diazepam
may worsen this condition. |
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Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you |
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have asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, or another respiratory
disease; or |
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are depressed or have suicidal thoughts. |
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You may not be able to take diazepam, or you may require a
dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you
have any of the conditions listed above. |
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Diazepam is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that
diazepam is known to harm an unborn baby. Do not take this
medication without first talking to your doctor if you are
pregnant. |
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Diazepam passes into breast milk. Do not take diazepam without
first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. |
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If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more likely to
experience side effects from diazepam. You may require a lower
dose of this medication. |
How should I take diazepam?
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Take diazepam exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not
understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or
doctor to explain them to you. |
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Take each oral dose with a full glass of water. |
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To ensure the correct dose, measure the liquid forms of diazepam
with a dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular table spoon.
If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist
where you can get one. |
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Your doctor or nurse will give you detailed instructions for
administration of the Diastat rectal gel. In general, application
of the rectal gel is as follows: |
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Remove the protective cover from the medication syringe and
lubricate the rectal tip with lubricating jelly. |
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Turn the person on their side facing you. Bend the upper leg
forward and separate the buttocks to expose the rectum. |
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Gently insert the syringe tip into the rectum. The rim should be
snug against the rectal opening. Slowly count out loud to three
while gently pushing the plunger in until it stops. Slowly count
to three before removing the syringe. Slowly count to three and
hold the buttocks together to prevent leakage. |
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Keep the person on their side facing you, note the time the
medication was given, and observe the person for signs of seizure,
skin color, breathing, or any unusual reaction. |
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Do not take diazepam more often or in larger doses than is
prescribed. |
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Diazepam is habit forming. You can become physically and
psychologically dependent on the medication. Do not take more than
the prescribed amount of medication or take it for longer than is
directed by your doctor. Withdrawal effects may occur if diazepam
is stopped suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. Your
doctor may recommend a gradual reduction in dose. |
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Store diazepam at room temperature away from moisture and heat. |
What happens if I miss a dose?
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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is
almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and take
only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a
double dose of this medication. A double dose could be dangerous. |
What happens if I overdose?
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Seek emergency medical attention. |
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Symptoms of a diazepam overdose include sleepiness, dizziness,
confusion, a slow heart beat, difficulty breathing, difficulty
walking and talking, an appearance of being drunk, and
unconsciousness. |
What should I avoid while taking diazepam?
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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing
other hazardous activities. Diazepam will cause drowsiness and may
cause dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid
these activities. |
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Avoid alcohol while taking diazepam. Alcohol may increase
drowsiness and dizziness caused by diazepam. Alcohol may also
increase the risk of having a seizure if diazepam is being taken
for a seizure condition. |
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Diazepam may increase the effects of other drugs that cause
drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines,
sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety
medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your
doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take
any medicine without first talking to your doctor. |
What are the possible side effects of diazepam?
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If you experience any of the following serious side effects,
stop taking diazepam and seek emergency medical attention or
contact your doctor immediately: |
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your
throat; swelling of your lips, face, or tongue; or hives); |
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sores in the mouth or throat; |
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yellowing of the skin or eyes; |
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hallucinations or severe confusion; or |
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changes in your vision. |
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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur.
Continue to take diazepam and talk to your doctor if you
experience |
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drowsiness, dizziness, or clumsiness; |
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nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation; |
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decreased sex drive; or |
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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk
to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is
especially bothersome. |
What other drugs will affect diazepam?
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Diazepam may increase the effects of other drugs that cause
drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines,
sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety
medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your
doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take
any medicine without first talking to your doctor. |
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Antacids may decrease the effects of diazepam. Separate doses of
an antacid and diazepam by several hours whenever possible. |
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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with
diazepam. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any
prescription or over-the-counter medicines. |
Where can I get more information?
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Your pharmacist has additional information about diazepam
written for health professionals that you may read. |
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Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of
children, never share your medicines with others, and use this
medication only for the indication prescribed. |
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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information
provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date,
and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug
information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare
practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore
Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are
appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's
drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or
recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational
resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in
caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this
service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the
expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare
practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug
combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the
drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any
aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended
to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings,
drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you
have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your
doctor, nurse or pharmacist. |
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