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What is diazepam?
Diazepam is used for the management of anxiety disorders or for the short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety. Diazepam may also be used to relieve agitation, shakiness, and hallucinations during alcohol withdrawal and relieve certain types of muscle spasms. It may also be used to treat seizures, insomnia, and other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Diazepam may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Diazepam usually comes in extended-release capsules or liquid form. Occasionally, a hospitalized patient may receive an intravenous dose of the drug. Dosing amounts depend on the age and condition of a patient, but most adults are instructed to take 10 milligrams of diazepam two to four times a day. The most common side effects are drowsiness and dizziness, though a person may also experience mental confusion, vision changes, nausea, and loss of appetite. Allergic reactions, seizures, and heart palpitations are rare but possible, and should be assessed in the emergency room as soon as possible.
How does it work?
Diazepam is a type of medicine called a benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepines are used for their sedative, anxiety-relieving and muscle-relaxing effects.
Diazepam works by acting on receptors in the brain called GABA receptors. This causes the release of a neurotransmitter called GABA in the brain.
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that are stored in nerve cells in the brain and nervous system. They are involved in transmitting messages between the nerve cells. GABA is a neurotransmitter that acts as a natural 'nerve-calming' agent. It helps keep the nerve activity in the brain in balance, and is involved in inducing sleepiness, reducing anxiety and relaxing muscles.
As Diazepam increases the activity of GABA in the brain, it increases its calming effect and results in sleepiness, a decrease in anxiety and relaxation of muscles.
Diazepam has several uses. Firstly, it can be used to calm severe anxiety and agitation. For example, benzodiazepines such as Diazepam are effective at quickly reducing the symptoms of anxiety and agitation that occur in a manic episode of the psychiatric illness, bipolar affective disorder. A benzodiazepine may be given as part of the initial treatment of a manic episode, though they are not licensed specifically for this purpose. Benzodiazepines help calm the individual while the main medicines for this condition (mood stabilizers) begin to take effect.
Oral forms of diazepam are also used for short-term treatment of severe anxiety associated with insomnia, as well as for night terrors and sleep-walking in children. Diazepam decreases the time taken to fall asleep and nocturnal awakenings, as well as increasing the total amount of time spent sleeping. However, it is only suitable for short-term treatment of insomnia and anxiety as it has a high potential for dependence and addiction. As diazepam remains active in the body for many hours, drowsiness may also last into the next day.
The second main use of Diazepam is in controlling convulsions, for example associated with poisoning, or seizures associated with fever in children (febrile convulsions). It is particularly useful for controlling repeated epileptic fits when a patient does not recover consciousness between fits. Diazepam helps control convulsions because the increased activity of GABA that it causes in the brain helps to calm excessive electrical nerve activity that is responsible for causing seizures.
A further use of Diazepam is in controlling muscle spasms due to tetanus or poisoning.
Diazepam may be given as tablets, syrup, injection or rectal solution (enema), depending on what condition is being treated and how fast a response is needed.
Use with caution in
* Children.
* Elderly people.
* Weak or debilitated people.
* Decreased kidney function.
* Decreased liver function.
* Disease affecting the airways or lungs (respiratory disease).
* Abnormal muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis).
* Blood disorders
* History of alcoholism or drug abuse.
* Personality disorders.
* Depression.
* It is important to tell your doctor if you have recently suffered a loss or bereavement, for example the death of a close friend or relative, before taking this medicine. Benzodiazepines such as this one can affect the way you adjust psychologically to events like this.
Not to be used in
* A sudden worsening of any underlying lung disease (acute pulmonary insufficiency).
* Slow, shallow breathing (respiratory depression).
* Syndrome involving short spells when breathing stops during sleep
* Long-term psychotic illness.
* Phobias.
* Severely decreased liver function.
* Breastfeeding.
If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your
Doctor without delay.
Important information know about diazepam
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to Diazepam, or if you have myasthenia gravis, severe liver disease, narrow-angle glaucoma, a severe breathing problem, or sleep apnea. This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use Diazepam if you are pregnant.
DOSING:
Diazepam may be taken with or without food. Diazepam is metabolized by the liver and excreted mainly by the kidney. Dosages of diazepam may need to be lowered in patients with abnormal kidney function.
DIAZEPAM SIDE EFFECTS:
The most frequent side effects of diazepam are drowsiness, fatigue, and ataxia (loss of
Balance). Rarely, diazepam causes a paradoxical reaction with excitability, muscle spasm, lack
Of sleep, and rage. Confusion, depression, speech problems, and double vision are also rare
Diazepam can lead to addiction (dependency), especially when higher dosages are used over prolonged periods of time. In patients addicted to Diazepam or after prolonged use, abrupt discontinuation of the medicine may cause symptoms of withdrawal (insomnia, headaches, nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, sweating, anxiety, and fatigue). Seizures can occur in more severe cases of withdrawal. Therefore, after extended use, diazepam should be slowly tapered under a doctor's supervision rather than abruptly stopping the medication.
Diazepam Gel
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome
When using Diazepam Gel:
Decreased coordination; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; headache; nervousness; stomach pain; stuffy nose.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using
Diazepam Solution:
Diazepam Tablets:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); confusion; difficulty breathing; fainting; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; hallucinations; inability to control urination or difficulty urinating; memory problems or memory loss; new or worsening mental or mood changes (e.g., agitation, aggressiveness, behavior changes, depression, irritability, rage, restlessness); severe or persistent dizziness or lightheadedness; slurred speech; tremor; trouble sleeping; vision changes (e.g., blurred vision, double vision); yellowing of the skin or eyes.
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