For more information on the possible side effects of diazepam, or for tips on how to deal with a troubling side effect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:. The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended.
But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. The standard dosage is 10 mg taken by mouth three to four times during the first 24 hours. 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.
Diazepam affects your CNS and may make it more difficult for you to breathe or cause you to stop breathing. Your doctor may start you on a lower dosage and monitor you more closely. If your breathing problems are severe or you have sleep apnea, your doctor may prescribe a different medication for you instead. For pregnant people: Diazepam is a category D pregnancy drug.
This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions. The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine.
Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine. If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses. Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Keep from freezing. Drop off any unused narcotic medicine at a drug take-back location right away. You should take diazepam tablets for as short a period of time as possible. If you have been taking a high dose or have been taking it for a long time, your doctor will probably recommend reducing your dose gradually. If you suddenly stop taking it, you may occasionally experience some side effects, such as:. The risk of these side effects can be reduced by gradually reducing your dose.
For anxiety, depending on your symptoms, you may need a medicine to treat your physical symptoms, as well as your psychological ones. Your doctor will usually start you on a type of antidepressant called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor SSRI , such as sertraline , paroxetine or escitalopram.
For fits, a medicine called midazolam can be used. It comes as a pre-filled syringe and is given inside the mouth between the cheek and the gum buccal cavity. This can be used instead of rectal diazepam, which is inserted into the anus. You can discuss the different options with your doctor. They'll help you decide which medicine is best for you. Diazepam can be given as a pre-med to relax you before an operation or dental treatment that may be uncomfortable or make you feel anxious.
It's important to tell your doctor or dentist if you're already taking diazepam. Tell your doctor that you take diazepam if you're going to be put to sleep using a general anaesthetic or having any kind of major operation. Do not drink alcohol while you're on diazepam. Alcohol can increase the effects of diazepam. It can make you go into a very deep sleep. There's a risk you will not be able to breathe properly, and may have difficulty waking up.
Using cannabis, heroin or methadone with diazepam will increase the drowsy effects of diazepam. There's a risk you will not be able to breathe properly, and you may have difficulty waking up.
Using cocaine or other stimulants like MDMA ecstasy and amphetamines with diazepam can also lead to drowsiness. Talk to your doctor if you think you might use recreational drugs while taking diazepam. Grapefruit juice may increase the amount of diazepam in your blood.
It's a good idea to avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice while taking diazepam. Caffeine is a stimulant and may reduce the calming effects of diazepam. It's best not to have drinks like coffee, tea and cola because they contain caffeine. Alcohol can increase the effects of diazepam and make you go into a very deep sleep. Diazepam will not affect any contraception, including the combined pill and emergency contraception. Some contraceptive pills can keep diazepam in your body for longer and increase its effect.
You can also get bleeding in between your periods if you take diazepam and contraceptive pills together. There's no firm evidence to suggest that taking diazepam will reduce fertility in either men or women.
If you're trying to get pregnant, or you're having problems getting pregnant while on diazepam, speak to your doctor. Do not drive a car or ride a bike if diazepam makes you sleepy during the daytime, gives you blurred vision, or makes you feel dizzy, clumsy or unable to concentrate or make decisions. This may be more likely when you first start taking diazepam, but could happen at any time for example, when starting another medicine.
It's an offence to drive a car if your ability to drive safely is affected. It's your responsibility to decide if it's safe to drive.
If you're in any doubt, do not drive. Even if your ability to drive is not affected, the police have the right to request a saliva sample to check how much diazepam is in your body. UK has more information on the law on drugs and driving. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you're unsure whether it's safe for you to drive while taking diazepam.
Do not operate machinery if you experience any side effects, such as feeling sleepy, being forgetful, or poor co-ordination. It depends on which country you're travelling to. Different countries have different rules and regulations for diazepam. It's important to plan ahead and find out whether you can take your medicine abroad. 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.
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