Diazepam
Introduction To Diazepam
Diazepam is a prescription medicine used in the treatment of short-term anxiety. It can also be used to treat acute alcohol withdrawal, to relieve muscle spasm and as adjunctive therapy for seizures. This medicine relaxes the nerve cells and calms the brain.
Diazepam is generally given by a doctor or a nurse. Do not self-administer this medicine at home. The dose and duration will depend on the severity of your condition and your doctor will decide it. Get the injection regularly to get the maximum benefits from it.
The most common side effects of this medicine are confusion, drowsiness, fatigue, and withdrawal symptoms. If any of these side effects do not resolve on their own or get worse, let your doctor know. Do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you.
This medicine may cause weight gain. A well-balanced diet and regular exercise can help to reduce extra weight. If you have been taking this medicine for a long time then regular monitoring of blood and liver functions may be required.
Uses of Diazepam
- Treatment of Short term anxiety
- Treatment of Muscle spasm
- Treatment of Epilepsy
- Treatment of Alcohol withdrawal
Benefits of Diazepam
Treatment of Short term anxiety
Diazepam reduces the symptoms of excessive anxiety and worry that are
triggered only at the time of stressful conditions that last for a shorter
duration. These could be job interviews, exams, stage performances, etc. It
can effectively manage feelings of restlessness, tiredness, difficulty
concentrating and feeling irritable. Diazepam will therefore help you go
about your daily activities more easily and be more productive.
Treatment of Muscle spasm
Diazepam effectively relieves muscle stiffness or spasm, thereby improving
muscle movement. Take it as prescribed by the doctor to get the most benefit.
Do not take more or for longer than needed as that can be dangerous and it
also has habit-forming potential. In general, you should take the lowest dose
that works, for the shortest possible time. This will help you to go about
your daily activities more easily and have a better, more active, quality of
life.
Treatment of Epilepsy
Diazepam slows down electrical signals in the brain which cause seizures
(fits). It can also help reduce symptoms such as confusion, uncontrollable
jerking movements, loss of awareness, and fear or anxiety. The medicine can
allow you to do some activities that you would otherwise be forbidden or
scared to do (such as swimming and driving). It can take a few weeks for this
medicine to work (because the dose has to be increased slowly) and during this
time you may still have seizures.
Treatment of Alcohol withdrawal
Diazepam is a medicine used, along with social support and counseling, to
help people recover from alcohol addiction and to avoid having the urge to
drink alcohol again. Diazepam starts working from the very first dose and is
a very safe and effective way of treating alcohol addiction.
Side effects of Diazepam
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Paci-Quil
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Withdrawal symptoms
How to use Diazepam
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
How Diazepam works
Diazepam is a benzodiazepine. It works by increasing the action of a chemical messenger (GABA) which suppresses the abnormal and excessive activity of the nerve cells in the brain.
Quick tips
-
Diazepam helps treat short term anxiety.
-
The addiction / habit-forming potential of this medicine is very high. Take it only as per the dose and duration advised by your doctor
-
It may cause dizziness. Do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you.
-
Avoid consuming alcohol as it may increase dizziness and drowsiness.
-
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or breastfeeding.
-
Do not stop taking medication suddenly without talking to your doctor as that may lead to nausea, anxiety, agitation, flu-like symptoms, sweating, tremor, and confusion.
-
Safety of this medicine is not established for long-term use. Do not use it for more than 4 weeks.
Safety Advice
PregnancyCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Can I take Diazepam if I’m pregnant?
Diazepam is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.
BreastfeedingCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Can I take Diazepam if I’m breastfeeding?
Diazepam is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
AlcoholUNSAFE
Is drinking alcohol while taking Diazepam safe?
It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Diazepam.
DrivingUNSAFE
Can I drive after taking Diazepam?
Diazepam may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive. Diazepam can make you sleepy, forgetful, and have poor co-ordination. This may affect your ability to drive.
KidneyCAUTION
Can I take Diazepam if I have/had kidney diseases?
Diazepam should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Diazepam may be needed. Please consult your doctor. Dose adjustment may be required if it is to be given for a long period
LiverCAUTION
Can I take Diazepam if I have/had liver diseases?
Diazepam should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Diazepam may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is Diazepam an antidepressant?
What is it used for? Diazepam is not an antidepressant and belongs to a group of medicines called benzodiazepine. It is used to treat severe anxiety (an emotional state where you may sweat, tremble, feel anxious and have a fast heartbeat) or agitation. It is also used to treat trembling, muscle spasm due to tetanus or poisoning, seizures or fits, confusional states or anxiety associated with alcohol withdrawal. It also helps in relaxing patients before minor operations or procedures.
Q. How long does it take for Diazepam to start working?
It depends on what you are taking Diazepam for. If you are taking it to treat anxiety, you should start feeling better within a few hours, but it may take a week or two before the full benefits become evident. Similarly, if you are taking it to relieve muscle spasm you may notice a difference after 15 minutes. Your muscles will start relaxing when you keep taking Diazepam regularly for a few days.
Q. Does Diazepam cause sleepiness?
If yes, then should I stop driving while taking Diazepam? Yes, Diazepam causes drowsiness very commonly. It also causes forgetfulness and affects muscular function which may adversely affect your ability to drive. Sometimes, drowsiness persists even on the following day. So, in case Diazepam makes you sleepy and affects your alertness, you should avoid driving.
Q. Is it safe to take Diazepam and alcohol together?
No, it is not at all recommended to take alcohol with Diazepam since it can cause breathing problems, sleepiness and heart problems. Taking Diazepam with alcohol may make you sleepy and your breathing may become so shallow that you may not wake up. This may even lead to death.
Q. Is Diazepam addictive?
People taking Diazepam in high doses or for a long term may become addicted to it. Also, people with a history of alcoholism and drug abuse are more likely to become addicted to Diazepam. Therefore, Diazepam should be taken for the shortest possible time and in the lowest effective dose.
Q. Can I stop taking Diazepam if I start feeling better?
No, do not stop taking Diazepam suddenly as you may experience withdrawal effects like depression, nervousness, difficulty in sleeping, irritability, sweating, upset stomach or diarrhea. Stopping it suddenly may even bring back the symptoms and make them harder to treat. You may also experience mood changes, anxiety, restlessness and changes in sleep patterns. These effects may occur even after taking low doses for a short period of time.
Q. For how long should I take Diazepam?
The duration of treatment with Diazepam is mainly as short as possible. Your doctor will evaluate you after 4 weeks of treatment in order to assess the need of continuation of treatment, especially if you do not have any symptoms. In general, the treatment does not last any longer than 8-12 weeks which includes the gradual reduction of dose process.
Q. Does Diazepam have any effect on contraception?
Diazepam does not affect the functioning of any type of contraception including the birth control pills and emergency contraception. Birth control pills can keep Diazepam in your body for a long time and increase its effect. You can also experience bleeding in between your periods if you take Diazepam and birth control pills together. But your contraceptive method will still work.
Q. Is it safe to take clozapine and Diazepam together?
No, it is not recommended to take clozapine and Diazepam together because the effects of both medicines may get added together. This can result in severe drop in blood pressure, breathing problems (respiratory depression) and can even stop your heart which can lead to death.
Q. Is Diazepam safe to be used in elderly patients?
The dose in elderly is generally half of the dose recommended to young people. This is because Diazepam causes muscle relaxation which can make the patient fall down, which may further lead to fractures.
References
Written By:
Dr Advikka Ridhy
MBBS
RMO, Aster MIMS
MediClap strives to make its website accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. Should you encounter any difficulty accessing this website, kindly send an email to hello@mediclap.com to enable us to provide the necessary services through alternative means.
MediClap is not affiliated with nor sponsored by any of the third-party brands mentioned. All trademarks, brands, logos, and copyrights mentioned remain the sole property of their respective owners.