Valium ( Diazepam, T-Quil, Valrelease )
Valium (diazepam) is an anti-anxiety agent (benzodiazepine) used primarily for short-term relief of mild to moderate anxiety and the associated nervousness and tension. It may also be used to treat symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawal, to help control epilepsy or to relieve muscle spasms. Valium (diazepam) affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety, seizures and muscle spasms. Valium (diazepam) may also be used for other purposes.
Oral Solution: 5mg / 5ml, 5 mg/ml.
Tablets: 2mg, 5mg, 10mg.
Caps: Time-r el 15mg.
Injection: IM/IV inj 5 mg/ml.
If under 18 years of age: Safety and effectiveness not established.
Valium should not be given to children under 6 months of age.
- Children over months of age, 1mg to 2.5mg 3 to 4 times daily.
- 18 to 60 years of age, 2mg to 10mg 2 to 4 times daily.
- Over 60 years of age, 2mg to 2.5mg 1 to 2 times daily (increase as needed).
- Dosages: Actual dosage must be determined by a physician.
Dosage Depends on Disorder:
- Anxiety disorders and the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety, 18 to 60 years of age,2mg to 10mg 2 to 4 times daily or time-r el 15-30mg.
- Acute alcohol withdrawal, 18 to 60 years of age, 10mg 3 to 4 times during the first 24 hours the 5mg 3 or 4 times daily.
- Relief of muscle spasm, 18 to 60 years of age, 2mg to 10mg 3 to 4 times daily.
- Convulsive disorders, 18 to 60 years of age, 2mg to 10mg 2 to 4 times daily.
- Status epilepticus:
- 18 to 60 years of age, IV 5-10mg at 2-5mg/min, up to a maximum dose of 30mg. May repeat in 2-4 hours.
- Children over 5 years of age, IV 1mg/min q3-5min, up to a maximum dose of 10mg. May repeat in 2-4 hours.
- Children 1 month to 5 years of age, 0.2-0.5mg/min slowly q2-5min, up to a maximum dose of 5mg.
Liver Function: Use cautiously.
Kidney Function: Use cautiously.
Before taking: N/A.
While taking: N/A.
Take: With or without food. Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Full Benefits In: Up to a week
Missed Dose(s): If within one hour take. If over an hour skip and then continue on your normal schedule.
Never Take a Double Dose!
If Stop Taking: Do not stop without consulting your physician.
Overdose symptoms include: Confusion,loss of consciousness,or sleepiness.
Take Valium (diazepam) exactly as directed by your doctor. Take each oral dose with a full glass of water. To ensure the correct dose, measure the liquid forms of Valium (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. Do not take diazepam more often or in larger doses than is prescribed. Valium (diazepam) is habit forming. You can become physically and psychologically dependent on the medication. Withdrawal effects may occur if diazepam is stopped suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. Your doctor may recommend a gradual reduction in dose.
Take a 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; could be dangerous. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.
Note: You can become physically and psychologically dependent on the medication.
Narcotics may increase the sedative effects of this drug. Do not take other sedative, benzodiazepines, or sleeping pills with this drug. The combinations could be fatal. Do not drink alcohol when taking benzodiazepines. Alcohol can lower blood pressure and decrease your breathing rate to the point of unconsciousness. Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous 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.
The habit-forming potential of diazepam is high. It is possible to become dependent in only two weeks.
This drugs should not be taken for more than four weeks ( Yudofsky, Hales and Ferguson . )
Do not stop taking this drug abruptly; this could cause psychological and physical withdrawal symptoms.
Do not take this drug if you are pregnant. Some studies have found that taking this drug may lead to serious birth defects. If this drug is used in late pregnancy it may cause " floppy infant" syndrome.
Do not take this drug if planning to become pregnant. Do not take if you are breast-feeding.
Do not give this drug to anyone under six mounts old and never use on hyperactive or psychotic children.
If over 60, only use drug in small doses with close monitoring.
Do not use if: You had negative reactions to other benzodiazepines, if you have a history of drug dependence, if you have had a stroke, if you have multiple sclerosis, if you have Alzheimer's disease, if you are seriously depressed or if you have other brain disorders.
Symptoms or Effects
Do not take Valium (diazepam) if you have narrow-angle glaucoma. Valium (diazepam) may worsen this condition. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, have asthma, bronchitis, emphysema or another respiratory disease or if you are depressed or have suicidal thoughts. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or breast feeding a baby. If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from Valium (diazepam). You may require a lower dose of this medication.
Drug Interactions: Valium (diazepam) may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medications, seizure medications, 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. Antacids may decrease the effects of Valium (diazepam); separate doses of an antacid and Valium (diazepam) by several hours whenever possible. Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Valium (diazepam). Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
If Valium (diazepam) is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. These drugs included:
- antiseizure drugs.
- antidepressants drugs.
- antipsychotic drugs.
- cimetidine (tagamet).
- digoxin (lanoxin).
- disulfiram (Antabuse).
- isoniazid (rifamate).
- levodopa (larodopa, sinemet).
- MAO inhibitors.
- omerprazole (prilosec).
- oral contraceptives.
- propoxyphene (Darvon).
- ranitidine (zantac).
- rifampin (rifadin).
Common: Clumsiness / Sleepiness.
Rare: Abdominal cramps, blurred vision, dry mouth, racing heartbeat / palpitations, shaking / slurred speech, urination problems, convulsions, hallucinations, memory loss, trouble breathing, staggering / trembling, headache or confusion.
See physician if severe: Clumsiness/Sleepiness
See physician always: Abdominal cramps, blurred vision, dry mouth, racing heartbeat / palpitations, shaking / slurred speech, urination problems, headache.
See physician NOW: Confusion.
Stop taking and see physician NOW: Convulsions, hallucinations, memory loss, trouble breathing or staggering / trembling. Stop taking diazepam and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following: an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, closing of your throat, swelling of your lips, face, or tongue or hives); sores in the mouth or throat, yellowing of the skin or eyes; a rash, hallucinations or severe confusion or changes in your vision.
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