Diazepam

Valium is a benzodiazepine and anticonvulsant. It is used to treat patients with anxiety. It is also used to treat alcohol withdrawal, endoscopy and radiology premedication. Valium should only be used short-term since misuse or abuse can cause addiction. Valium is indicated for use by children 6 months and older and adults. This medication is available as a liquid.

• Valium

• ALPRAZolam
• ALPRAZolam ER
• ALPRAZolam Intensol
• ALPRAZolam XR
• Ativan
• chlordiazePOXIDE HCl
• Clorazepate Dipotassium
• diazePAM
• diazePAM Intensol
• LORazepam
• LORazepam Intensol
• LORazepam-Dextrose
• LORazepam-Sodium Chloride
• Loreev XR
• Niravam
• Oxazepam
• Tranxene-T
• Valium
• Xanax
• Xanax XR

• Liquid
• Tablet

• By mouth

Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

Oral liquid: Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to diazepam, or if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, myasthenia gravis, sleep apnea, or severe breathing problems. Do not give this medicine to any child 6 months of age or younger.

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

This medicine can be habit-forming. Do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not working.

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Using this medicine during the later part of a pregnancy may cause problems in your newborn baby (including sedation or withdrawal symptoms). Tell your doctor right away if you think you have become pregnant.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. This medicine passes into your breast milk and may cause problems in your baby. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby.

Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, glaucoma, lung or breathing problems, or a history of drug or alcohol abuse, depression, mental health problems, or seizures.

This medicine may cause the following problems:Increased risk of overdose, which can be life-threateningRespiratory depression (serious breathing problem that can be life-threatening), when used with narcotic pain medicinesUnusual thoughts or behavior

Some medicines can affect how diazepam works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following: Cimetidine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, ketoconazole, omeprazole, phenytoin, theophyllineMedicine to treat depression or mental health problem, including MAO inhibitorMedicine to treat seizuresPhenothiazine medicineStomach medicine, including antacids

Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

Too much of this medicine can cause death. Symptoms of an overdose include extreme dizziness or weakness, trouble breathing, slow heartbeat, seizure, and cold, clammy skin.

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

• Unusual mood or behavior, worsening depression, thoughts about hurting yourself, trouble sleeping
• Change in how much or how often you urinate
• Change or loss of consciousness, confusion, dizziness, faintness, lightheadedness, problems with coordination or walking, sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• Tiredness or weakness, slow heartbeat, trouble breathing
• Unusual mood or behavior, worsening depression, thoughts about hurting yourself, trouble sleeping
• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• Seizures or tremors
• Blurred vision, changes in vision
• Headache
• Tiredness
• Nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain