Diazepam belongs to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines. It’s used to treat anxiety, muscle spasms and seizures or fits. It’s also used in hospital to reduce alcohol withdrawal symptoms, such as sweating or difficulty sleeping.
What happens when you take diazepam?
Diazepam can make you feel sleepy, dizzy and forgetful when you first start taking it. You might also find it difficult to concentrate during the first few days of treatment and may experience blurred vision and muscle weakness.
Does diazepam 5mg make you sleepy?
Diazepam (Valium) works quickly. Most people feel the effects of the medication within an hour but for some, diazepam (Valium) can work within 15 to 30 minutes. Benzodiazepines cause dizziness and drowsiness. Avoid activities that require you to be alert (like driving) until you know how it affects you.
How long do diazepam last for?
The actual physiological effects of diazepam will only last between 4 to 6 hours, but because it is a very long-acting benzodiazepine, the drug stays in your system for several days. The half-life of Valium is 20 hours.
What is a diazepam used for? – Related Questions
How does diazepam make you feel?
Diazepam belongs to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines. It works by increasing the levels of a calming chemical in your brain. Depending on your health condition, this can make you feel drowsy, relieve anxiety, stop seizures or relax tense muscles.
What should you not take with diazepam?
drowsy or sedating antihistamines, such as chlorphenamine or promethazine. strong painkillers, such as codeine, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, pethidine or tramadol. HIV medicines, such as ritonavir, atazanavir, efavirenz or saquinavir. antifungal medicines, such as fluconazole.
How long does diazepam peak?
Response and effectiveness. 90% of Valium is absorbed and the peak effect of Valium is seen within 1 to 1.5 hours in most people. Diazepam is 98% bound to plasma proteins. Food delays the time to peak to about 2.5 hours.
Is diazepam long acting or short acting?
Long-acting benzodiazepines include diazepam (with the fastest onset of action), clorazepate (also fast onset), chlordiazepoxide (intermediate onset), f1urazepam (slow onset), and prazepam (slowest onset).
Why diazepam is long acting?
Some benzodiazepine drugs, such as diazepam, produce further benzodiazepine chemicals when they are metabolised. These additional chemicals stay in your body and make the overall effect of the drug last longer.
What is the most common side effect of diazepam?
Drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness, blurred vision, or unsteadiness may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
Does diazepam stop anxiety?
Valium (diazepam) is a medication that can be used to treat anxiety as well as alcohol withdrawal and seizures. Valium also has a sedative effect that is useful for treating muscle spasms. Valium for anxiety works by calming the brain and nerves.
How long can you take diazepam for anxiety?
It is usually only recommended for a short period of time of up to 4 weeks. If you’re prescribed diazepam for more than 4 weeks, your dose may be reduced gradually to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
What happens if you take diazepam every day?
Long-term use of diazepam can lead to chemical dependency and, eventually, to severe addiction. Understanding the health complications of Valium addiction may encourage nonmedical users of this drug to reach out for help.
How many diazepam does it take to relax?
For anxiety: Adults—2 to 10 milligrams (mg) 2 to 4 times a day. Older adults—At first, 2 to 2.5 mg 1 or 2 times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed.
Can you take diazepam only when needed?
Diazepam may be taken every day at regular times or on an as-needed (“PRN”) basis. Typically, your healthcare provider will limit the number of doses you should take in one day. Your healthcare provider will determine the dose and method of taking the medication that is right for you based upon your response.
Do diazepam calm you down?
Diazepam acts on nerve cells to calm abnormal electrical activity within the brain. Diazepam calms and sedates and may be used in the treatment of anxiety, as an anticonvulsant, as a muscle relaxant, or for its sedative effects.
How many times a day should I take diazepam?
Adults—2 to 10 milligrams (mg) 2 to 4 times a day. Older adults—At first, 2 to 2.5 mg 1 or 2 times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. Children 6 months of age and older—At first, 1 to 2.5 mg 3 or 4 times per day.
Does diazepam make you sleepy the next day?
Diazepam key facts
Diazepam causes drowsiness that can last into the next day. Do not drive if affected. Do not drink alcohol while taking diazepam. Diazepam can be addictive and should not normally be taken for more than two to four weeks at a time, including a period where the dose is gradually reduced.
Can I take 2 diazepam 5mg?
Diazepam oral tablet is used for short-term treatment. It comes with serious risks if you don’t take it as prescribed. If you miss a dose: Take it when you remember, but don’t take more than one dose per day. Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once.
