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Valium
This page contains drug information on Valium.
The information provided includes the following:
- what is Valium
- the possible side effects of Valium
- what happens if you miss a dose of Valium
- what happens if you overdose with Valium
- the most important information about Valium
- how to use Valium
- other drugs that may affect Valium
- what to avoid while using Valium
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Generic Name: diazepam (dye AH zeh pam)
Brand Names:
Diastat, Valium
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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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