Diazepam
About
Diazepam belongs to a group of medications called Benzodiazepine (BZD), primarily used to treat short-term relief of severe anxiety disorder, muscle spasms and fits (seizures). Besides this, it also reduces alcohol withdrawal symptoms (like sweating or difficulty sleeping etc.). Before undergoing any surgical procedure, Diazepam is sometimes given as 'pre-med' to prevent anxiety, fear and worry. An anxiety disorder is a mental condition characterized by feelings of excessive fear or worry that affect an individual's daily activities. High anxiety levels can cause panic attacks, with intense feelings of nervousness, fear, and sudden onset of sweating, hyperventilation, fast heartbeat, and skin flushing.
Diazepam contains Diazepam, which works by increasing levels of brain cells (neurons) calming chemical, known as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), in your brain that helps to relieve anxiety and stop seizures attacks (fits), and relaxation of the tense muscles. Besides this, Diazepam relieves temporary insomnia (sleeplessness) due to anxiety disorder. Off-label uses for Diazepam include alcohol withdrawal syndrome, insomnia, panic disorder, chemotherapy-associated nausea and vomiting. Diazepam is not recommended for mild to moderate anxiety and tension related to day-to-day life.
Diazepam should not be used unless prescribed by a doctor. Depending on your medical condition, you are advised to take Diazepam for as long as your doctor prescribes it. Sometimes, you may experience certain common side effects, such as daytime drowsiness, light-headedness, unsteadiness, or dizziness. Most of these side effects of Diazepam do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Try not to stop taking Diazepam of your own as it may cause withdrawal symptoms. Do not take Diazepam if you have any lung disease, muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis), sleeping disorder or difficulty in sleeping (sleep apnoea), severe liver disease, or problem with alcohol or other prescription recreational drugs. Diazepam is a habit-forming drug, so there is a risk of dependence on Diazepam. So, before stopping Diazepam, contact a doctor as it may cause withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, increased heart rate, tremor, or general unwell feeling. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please tell your doctor so that your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Do not drive or operate machinery as Diazepam may reduce mental alertness.
Uses of Diazepam
Medicinal Benefits
Diazepam helps manage anxiety disorder and relieve symptoms of anxiety, acute alcohol withdrawal, and skeletal muscle spasm. When you take Diazepam, you will have more chemical messenger (GABA neurotransmitter) in your body. It decreases the feeling of nervousness, stress, and anxiety, which leads to a state of calm and relaxation. Diazepam benefits people who struggle with anxiety and worries in daily life. Regular intake of the prescribed dose of Diazepam improves social life, your ability and performance at work, and general wellbeing.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Diazepam
- Daytime drowsiness
- Feeling sleepy (sedation)
- Light-headedness
- Unsteadiness, or dizziness
- Confusion
- Shaky hands or tremors
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Taking Diazepam with opioid pain killer medicines can cause severe drowsiness, breathing problems, coma, and even death. Diazepam should be taken with extreme caution in patients with a history of alcoholism or drug abuse. Do not take Diazepam if you have had severe breathing problems, are allergic to Diazepam or other related benzodiazepine class, muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis), severe liver problem, breathing problems while sleep (apnoea), breastfeeding, pregnant or planning for pregnancy, and glaucoma (high blood pressure in eyes). Diazepam may affect your ability to drive a motor vehicle or operate heavy machinery if taken with alcohol. If you feel excess suicidal thoughts, difficulty in concentration, sleep disturbances (apnoea), dizziness, or sleepiness, let your doctor know about this. A pregnant or nursing mother should consult a doctor before intake as it is a Category D pregnancy medicine. Diazepam can be used in patients with open-angle glaucoma but is contraindicated in acute narrow-angle glaucoma. Diazepam should not be given for the treatment of psychotic patients. Abrupt withdrawal of Diazepam may cause a temporary increase in the frequency and severity of seizures (fit). So, before stopping taking Diazepam, discuss with the doctor.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Diazepam may have interacted with antianxiety or antiepileptic medicines (e.g. carbamazepine, fluvoxamine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, primidone), anti-HIV drugs (e.g. amprenavir, ritonavir), acidity medicine (e.g. cimetidine), pills to treat chronic alcoholism (e.g. disulfiram), antibiotics (e.g. rifampicin), anti-Parkinson’s drug (e.g. levodopa), and asthma drugs (e.g. theophylline). Besides this, central nervous system depressant drugs and opioid analgesics or pain killers should be avoided with Diazepam as they may cause life-threatening conditions.
Drug-Food Interactions: Grapefruit, grapefruit juice and caffeine-containing food or drinks should be avoided as they can affect the working of Diazepam.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Diazepam may interact with disease conditions, including obesity, acute alcohol intoxication, closed-angle glaucoma, drug addiction, kidney/liver disease, respiratory depression, prolonged low blood pressure, muscle disease (myasthenia gravis), and severe seizures (fits).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeTaking Diazepam with alcohol can increase the side effects of Diazepam like dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty in concentrating. In a few cases, people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment. Hence, you should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with Diazepam.
Pregnancy
unsafeDiazepam is a Category D pregnancy drug that is considered unsafe for pregnant women. Diazepam can have some harmful effects on the unborn baby (foetus), so your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you.
Breast Feeding
unsafeDiazepam passes into the breast milk and may cause some degree of sedation in the baby. So, if you note any signs in the baby let your doctor know about this.
Driving
unsafeDiazepam may cause sleepiness, dizziness, drowsiness and visual disturbances. So, it is not recommended to drive or operate machinery after taking Diazepam. Tell your doctor if you get these types of side effects.
Liver
cautionDiazepam to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver disease. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionDiazepam to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney disease. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
unsafeIt is not known if Diazepam is safe and effective in children under 6 months of age. So, it is not recommended for infants less than 6 months. However, you should consult a doctor regarding dosage for children above 6 months.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Regular exercise can help lower anxiety by releasing endorphins and improving your sleep and self-image.
- Find humour in your daily life. Try to watch a comedy show to help relieve stress.
- You can try increasing your mindfulness by including yoga, meditation, cognitive therapy, and mindfulness-based stress reduction.
- Drink enough water to stay hydrated, and limit or avoid alcohol and caffeine to relieve anxiety.
- Include a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. This is a healthier option than eating many simple carbohydrates in processed foods.
- Herbs like turmeric, ginger, and chamomile contain anti-inflammatory properties. Including this stuff in the meal can reduce inflammation caused due to anxiety disorder.
- Reduce your alcohol, caffeine, added sugar, high salt, and high fat intake. Especially trans-fat may help also help reduce inflammation.
- You can include antioxidants in your daily diet like ashwagandha, omega-3 fatty acids, green tea and lemon balm.
- Try to spend time with your friends and family. Having a strong social network may help you lower your risk of anxiety.
Special Advise
- Diazepam causes drowsiness. Avoid doing activities that require your complete focus and attention, like driving when on this drug.
- An abrupt stoppage of Diazepam can lead to significant withdrawal symptoms. Always discuss with your doctor about decreasing the dosage before completely stopping its usage.
- Avoid consuming alcohol while on Diazepam as it can lead to dangerous side effects.
- Diazepam is unsafe for usage if you're pregnant or are planning to get pregnant. Discuss with your doctor in such situations about changing/replacing the medicine with safer alternatives.
- To avoid getting addicted to this drug, take it only in prescribed quantities and only as directed by your doctor. Do not self-medicate.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
High anxiety levels can cause panic attacks, with intense feelings of nervousness, fear, and sudden onset of sweating, hyperventilation, fast heartbeat, and skin flushing. Anxiety disorders are different from feelings of anxiety and feeling nervous, which involve excessive anxiety, fear, or worry. Fear can arise due to stress and emotional response to an immediate threat related to more staying to fight or leaving to escape danger. Fear before getting ready for the surgery is also a part of short-term anxiety. Anxiety disorders can affect an individual’s job performance, school work, and personal relationships.
FAQs
Diazepam contains Diazepam, which works by increasing levels of brain cells (neurons) calming chemical, known as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), in your brain that helps to relieve anxiety and stop seizures attacks (fits), and relaxation of the tense muscles. Besides this, Diazepam relieves temporary insomnia (sleeplessness) due to anxiety disorder. Off-label uses for Diazepam include alcohol withdrawal syndrome, insomnia, panic disorder, chemotherapy-associated nausea and vomiting.
If you have taken a double dose or overdose of Diazepam, you need immediate medical help either by calling a doctor or going to the nearest hospital or clinic.
Do not stop taking Diazepam until instructed by your doctor. You may get side effects like confusion, depression, nervousness, sweating and diarrhoea. Your doctor may lower the dose of Diazepam if exceeded more than 2-4 weeks of treatment to reduce side effects.
Yes. Memory loss is a common side effect of Diazepam. So, regular intake of Diazepam can impact your memory including a lack of focus or concentration, or complete ‘black out’ difficult to remember important things.
Diazepam is prescribed for anxiety disorder and short term anxiety. So, if Diazepam is prescribed for more than 4 weeks, your doctor may reduce the dose before stopping to prevent further withdrawal symptoms.
Quitting smoking, avoiding intake of alcohol, and caffeine-containing food drinks can help you in minimizing the common side effect. If side effects like exhausted feeling, sleepiness (sedation), muscle weakness, and body posture imbalance persist it means you need some blood test to find out the exact cause.
If you have taken a double dose or overdose of Diazepam, you need immediate medical help either by calling the doctor or going to the nearest hospital or clinic.
Caffeine is a stimulant that may reduce the calming effects of clonazepam. So, it is advisable to avoid the intake of caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea, and cola, or chocolate that contain caffeine.
