Diazepam belongs to the benzodiazepine family that produces a calming effect. It helps treat a range of conditions, from anxiety to withdrawal symptoms. There are various ways to take this medicine, such as orally, inserted into the rectum, injecting into the muscle/vein, or using it as a nasal spray.
Diazepam oral tablet is helpful in the following conditions: anxiety; alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as agitation and tremors; add on treatment for skeletal muscle spasms, or add on therapy for certain types of seizures.
Diazepam has proven itself sufficient to cause memory loss during specific medical procedures. Its effect begins after 15 to 60 minutes. It is one of the most frequently recommended medications globally, and it can also work in combination therapy. In this, you need to take Diazepam with other drugs.
Diazepam can slow down or stop your breathing, especially if you were recently taking alcohol, opioid medication, or other drugs that affect your breathing.
In treating anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, or muscle spasms: your baby could become dependent upon it if you take this drug during pregnancy. It can cause life withdrawal symptoms in the baby. The drug-dependent baby may need medical treatment for several weeks.
Diazepam is still not under consideration for use by anyone younger than six months. Do not give this medicine to a child without medical consultation.
You should resist taking it if you are allergic to Diazepam or other similar drugs such as Klonopin, Xanax, and others or if you have:
Consult your doctor if you ever had:
During the treatment of seizures, do not initiate or stop taking DiazepamDiazepam during pregnancy without the doctor's advice. It may harm the unborn baby, but having an attack during pregnancy is harmful to both the mother and the baby. Tell your doctor if you conceive while taking this medicine.
In treating anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, or muscle spasms: your baby could become dependent upon it if you take this drug during pregnancy. It can cause life withdrawal symptoms in the baby. The drug-dependent baby may need medical treatment for several weeks.
This medicine is still not under consideration for use by anyone younger than six months. Do not give this medicine to a child without medical consultation.
Take Diazepam precisely as per the doctor's recommendation. The diazepam dosage depends on the type and severity of the condition, age, the form of Diazepam you take, and other medical conditions you have.
Typically the doctor starts on a low dosage and adjusts it over time to reach the required dosage according to your condition. Ultimately they will provide the smallest dosage that will give the desired effect.
Adult dosage (ages 18 to 64 years)
Child dosage (ages six months to 17 years)
Child dosage (ages 0 to 5 months)
Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)
The doctor will slowly increase your dosage in this case. The drug processing ability of your body will be slower. Your doctor may start on a lower dosage because too much of the drug in your body can be toxic. Starting dosage for a debilitating disease is 2 mg to 2.5 mg, once or twice per day.
Adult dosage (ages 18 to 64 years)
Child dosage (ages six months to 17 years)
The doctor will start at the lowest dosage and increase it with time-based on your response after consuming this medicine.
If you feel an overdose, take urgent medical help or call the Poison helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Overdose symptoms may include lack of coordination or balance, extreme drowsiness, slow breathing, limp or weak muscles, or coma.
Avoid alcohol consumption and grapefruit products. Interaction of these two with Diazepam can cause severe side effects or death.
Avoid driving or performing any hazardous activity until you know the effect of this medicine on you.
Diazepam oral tablets can slow down your brain's activity and interfere with your thinking, judgment, and motor skills. So, you must not drink or use any other drugs that can slow down your brain's activity while taking Diazepam. Please do resist driving or operating machinery that requires alertness until you know this drug is affecting you.
Common side effects that can occur by the use of Diazepam are:
These effects may take comparatively less time to go away if they are mild. Talk to your doctor if these symptoms are severe.
Serious side effects of taking Diazepam are:
Diazepam can interact with various drugs. Ask your medical healthcare provider before taking opioid medication, muscle relaxer, sleeping pill, prescription cough medicine, or any cure for depression or seizures.