What is diazepine

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All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. This will be reduced to 5 mg taken three to four times per day as needed, based on withdrawal symptoms. Diazepam oral tablet is used for short-term treatment.

Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could cause toxic side effects. If you take too much: Taking too much of this drug can cause depression of your central nervous system CNS. Symptoms include:.

This may even be fatal. You may be given the drug flumazenil to reverse a benzodiazepine overdose. This drug may increase your risk for seizures. Your doctor will regularly reassess your condition to see if diazepam is still appropriate for you to take. This drug may cause more frequent and more severe seizures. If you suddenly stop taking diazepam, you may temporarily have more seizures.

Taking it a second time after an allergic reaction could be fatal. It may stop your liver from processing this drug correctly, causing more of it to stay in your body for longer. This may increase your risk for side effects. This drug can interfere with your judgment, thinking, and motor skills. It can also make you drowsy and cause your breathing to slow down or stop.

Also, your body processes alcohol and this drug in similar ways. That means that if you drink alcohol, this drug might take longer to leave your body.

This may cause worse side effects. For people with kidney disease: Diazepam is removed from your body by your kidneys. If you have kidney problems, more of the drug may stay in your body for longer, putting you at risk for side effects. Your doctor may adjust your dosage and monitor you more closely.

For people with acute narrow-angle glaucoma : Talk to your doctor if you have glaucoma. You may have a higher risk for becoming addicted, dependent, or tolerant to diazepam. For people with liver disease: Diazepam is processed by your liver.

If you have liver problems, more of this drug may stay in your body, putting you at risk for side effects. Your doctor may adjust your dosage of diazepam and monitor you more closely. Diazepam may make these problems worse. Your doctor will monitor you more closely. Myasthenia gravis is a disease that causes extreme muscle weakness and tiredness.

For people with breathing problems: Let your doctor know if you have breathing problems. 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. There are other rare side effects. Tell your doctor at once or go to the emergency unit of your nearest hospital if you experience any of these symptoms:.

In general, diazepam should be used only for short periods, around 2 to 4 weeks, unless advised by your doctor. If used over a long period, you can become dependent on diazepam. This is not a full list of side effects for diazepam. For more information about diazepam, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

See the CMI for full details about when to speak with your doctor before or after you have started taking diazepam. Psychological treatment , such as cognitive behaviour therapy CBT , is usually the main treatment for anxiety. However, adding medicine such as diazepam may be helpful in reducing anxiety symptoms. There are alternatives to diazepam for muscle spasms, such as heat, exercise , relaxation and other medication.

Asking about your treatment or medication is important to help you understand your options. Read our guide to important questions to ask your pharmacist or doctor before taking a medicine. You can also visit healthdirect's list of medicines that contain diazepam to read the CMI for the brand of diazepam prescribed. Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content. Read more on WA Health website. Read more on myDr website. How benzodiazepines affect a person depends on many things, but there is no safe level of benzodiazepine use.

Benzodiazepines are depressant drugs. This means that they slow down the activity of the central nervous system and the messages travelling between the brain and the body. Read more on Alcohol and Drug Foundation website. Benzodiazepines, commonly known as minor tranquillisers and sleeping pills, are prescribed mainly for problems relating to anxiety and sleep. Read more on Beyond Blue website.