What is diazepam

It depends on which country you're travelling to. Different countries have different rules and regulations for diazepam. It's important to plan ahead and find out whether you can take your medicine abroad.

It's best to only take the amount that you need while abroad. You can contact the embassy for the country you're visiting. The GOV. UK website has a full list of foreign embassies in the UK. If you have anxiety, there are some lifestyle changes you can make to help ease symptoms:.

If you're having trouble sleeping, there are some things you can do to help yourself get a good night's sleep:. Page last reviewed: 25 February Next review due: 25 February Diazepam On this page About diazepam Key facts Who can and can't take diazepam How and when to take it Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions.

About diazepam Diazepam belongs to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines. Diazepam is available on prescription only. Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today?

The most common side effect is feeling drowsy. You're not recommended to use diazepam for longer than 4 weeks.

If you take diazepam and feel sleepy, do not drive or use tools or machines. Do not drink alcohol while taking diazepam. It can make you sleep very deeply. You may have breathing problems and difficulty waking up. It's also known as Valium, but this brand is not available in the UK anymore. It can also be taken by children aged 1 month or older for muscle spasms.

Diazepam rectal tubes can be used by adults and children. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor before starting diazepam if you: have had an allergic reaction to diazepam or any other medicine in the past have liver or kidney problems have myasthenia gravis , a condition that causes muscle weakness have sleep apnoea , a condition that causes breathing problems when you're asleep have depression or thoughts of harming yourself or suicide have been diagnosed with personality disorder have or have had problems with alcohol or drugs have recently had a loss or bereavement have arteriosclerosis , a condition that affects the blood flow to your brain have low levels of a protein called albumin in your blood are trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or breastfeeding are over 65 are going to be put to sleep have a general anaesthetic for an operation or other medical treatment.

Rectal tube Diazepam rectal tubes or rectal diazepam can be used if you or your child is having a fit. Tablets and liquid Take diazepam tablets or liquid with a drink of water. You'll usually take your medicine 1 to 3 times a day. The usual dose for: anxiety - is 2mg taken 3 times a day. This can be increased to 5mg to 10mg 3 times a day. This can be given as 1mg twice a day and go up to 5mg 3 times a day.

The dose can be increased up to 20mg 3 times a day if needed. It's usually given twice a day, with 10 to 12 hours between each dose. What if I forget to take it? What if I take too much? Common side effects These common side effects happen in more than 1 in people.

If you get these side effects, keep taking the medicine and speak to your doctor: feeling sleepy or drowsy confusion problems with your co-ordination or controlling your movements shaky hands tremors Serious side effects It happens rarely, but some people have serious side effects when taking diazepam.

Tell a doctor straight away if: your breathing becomes very slow or shallow your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow you find it difficult to remember things amnesia you see or hear things that are not there hallucinations you think things that are not true delusions you keep falling over On very rare occasions, some people may experience unusual mood changes.

Tell your doctor if you notice any of these side effects: talking too much or feeling overexcited feeling agitated or restless feeling irritable or aggressive Serious allergic reaction In rare cases, diazepam may cause a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis. Information: You can report any suspected side effect to the UK safety scheme. If you experience any other side effect, speak to your doctor. If you become pregnant while taking diazepam, speak to your doctor. Diazepam and breastfeeding If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, diazepam can be used during breastfeeding as long as you're only taking a low dose of diazepam occasionally or for a very short time.

Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you're:. Important For safety, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements.

How does diazepam work? Diazepam belongs to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines. It works by increasing the levels of a calming chemical in your brain. How long does diazepam take to work? Diazepam will work quite quickly or more slowly depending on what you're taking it for: fits - diazepam rectal tubes should start to work within 10 minutes.

Your muscles will start to relax when you have been taking diazepam regularly for a few days. How long will I take it for? Is it safe to take long term? It's usual to take diazepam for no longer than 2 to 4 weeks. Is diazepam addictive? Important You should take diazepam tablets for as short a period of time as possible. What will happen when I want to come off diazepam? If you suddenly stop taking it, you may occasionally experience some side effects, such as: confusion fits depression feeling nervous or irritable sweating diarrhoea The risk of these side effects can be reduced by gradually reducing your dose.

Are there other medicines for anxiety and for fits? There are different types of medicines for treating anxiety or fits. This drug may also have more of a sedative effect in seniors. You may experience more dizziness, sleepiness, confusion, or a slowing or stopping of breathing. Your doctor will prescribe the lowest dosage possible to control your symptoms.

For children: Keep this drug out of the reach of children. Diazepam can interact with several other medications. Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some can interfere with how well a drug works, while others can cause increased side effects. Below is a list of medications that can interact with diazepam. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with diazepam.

Before taking diazepam, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also, tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist. These drugs make it harder for the body to absorb diazepam. If you take them together, you may not get the full dose of diazepam, and it may not work as well. These drugs include:. Taking certain drugs that treat allergies or colds along with diazepam can increase your risk for drowsiness or sleepiness. It can also cause your breathing to slow down or stop.

Taking certain antidepressants with diazepam can increase your risk for drowsiness or sleepiness. These drugs block the enzyme that breaks down diazepam. This can increase the levels of diazepam in your body, putting you at higher risk for side effects such as drowsiness. Taking certain antipsychotic drugs with diazepam can increase your risk for drowsiness or sleepiness. Taking certain anxiety drugs with diazepam can increase your risk for drowsiness or sleepiness.

Taking certain motion sickness drugs with diazepam can increase your risk for drowsiness or sleepiness. Taking certain antiseizure drugs with diazepam can increase your risk for drowsiness or sleepiness. Phenytoin, phenobarbital, and carbamazepine also affect the enzyme that breaks down diazepam. This can increase the levels of diazepam in your body, putting you at higher risk for these side effects. Taking certain pain drugs with diazepam can increase your risk for drowsiness or sleepiness.

Taking certain sleep drugs with diazepam can increase your risk for drowsiness or sleepiness. These drugs make your body process diazepam faster, so there will be lower levels of the drug in your body.

If you take them with diazepam, it may not work as well. This drug may be refilled if your doctor authorizes it on the prescription. It may only be refilled up to five times within 6 months after the prescription was given. Your doctor will decide the right dosage for you. Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date.

However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

Learn about the symptoms, causes, and treatment options…. There are four major types of anxiety medication as well as other drugs that a doctor may prescribe off-label. Learn about how they work and the…. Anxiety disorders involve a disproportionate emotional and physical reaction to stressful or even neutral life events and daily living. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies. Generic alternatives may be available. Diazepam pronounced as dye az' e pam.

Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow? What should I do if I forget a dose? What side effects can this medication cause? What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication? Brand names. Other uses for this medicine. What special precautions should I follow? Before taking diazepam, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to diazepam, alprazolam Xanax , chlordiazepoxide Librium, in Librax , clonazepam Klonopin , clorazepate Gen-Xene, Tranxene , estazolam, flurazepam, lorazepam Ativan , oxazepam, temazepam Restoril , triazolam Halcion , any other medications, or any of the ingredients in diazepam products.

Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

Also, tell your doctor if you have narrow angle glaucoma a serious eye condition that may cause loss of vision. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take diazepam. Diazepam should not be used in infants younger than 6 months of age.

If you become pregnant while taking diazepam, call your doctor immediately. Do not breastfeed while you are taking diazepam. Older adults should not usually take diazepam because it is not as safe as other medications that can be used to treat the same conditions.

Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. A small number of adults and children 5 years of age and older about 1 in people who took anticonvulsants such as diazepam to treat various conditions during clinical studies became suicidal during their treatment.

Some of these people developed suicidal thoughts and behavior as early as one week after they started taking the medication. There is a risk that you may experience changes in your mental health if you take an anticonvulsant medication such as diazepam, but there may also be a risk that you will experience changes in your mental health if your condition is not treated. You and your doctor will decide whether the risks of taking an anticonvulsant medication are greater than the risks of not taking the medication.

You, your family, or your caregiver should call your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: panic attacks; agitation or restlessness; new or worsening irritability, anxiety, or depression; acting on dangerous impulses; difficulty falling or staying asleep; aggressive, angry, or violent behavior; mania frenzied, abnormally excited mood ; talking or thinking about wanting to hurt yourself or end your life; withdrawing from friends and family; preoccupation with death and dying; giving away prized possessions; or any other unusual changes in behavior or mood.

Be sure that your family or caregiver knows which symptoms may be serious so they can call the doctor if you are unable to seek treatment on your own. Diazepam may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: drowsiness dizziness tiredness muscle weakness headache dry mouth nausea constipation confusion difficulty urinating frequent urination changes in sex drive or ability Some side effects can be serious.