Diazepam
Generic Name: diazepam (dye AZ e pam)
Brand Names: Valium
Brand Names: Valium
What is diazepam?
Diazepam is a benzodiazepine (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peens). It affects chemicals in the brain that may be unbalanced in people with anxiety.
Diazepam is used to treat anxiety disorders, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, or muscle spasms. Diazepam is sometimes used with other medications to treat seizures.
Diazepam may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Important information
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to diazepam or similar medicines (Ativan, Klonopin, Restoril, Xanax, and others), or if you have myasthenia gravis, severe liver disease, narrow-angle glaucoma, a severe breathing problem, or sleep apnea.
Epilepsy in Adults: A Healthcare Professional's Guide
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Epilepsy in Adults: A Healthcare Professional's Guide
Before you take diazepam, tell your doctor if you have glaucoma, asthma or other breathing problems, kidney or liver disease, seizures, or a history of drug or alcohol addiction, mental illness, depression, or suicidal thoughts.
Do not start or stop taking diazepam during pregnancy without your doctor's advice. Diazepam may cause harm to an unborn baby, but having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both the mother and the baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking diazepam for seizures.
Diazepam may be habit-forming. Misuse of habit-forming medicine can cause addiction, overdose, or death.
Do not give this medication to a child younger than 6 months old.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to diazepam or similar drugs (Ativan, Klonopin, Restoril, Xanax, and others), or if you have:
myasthenia gravis (a muscle weakness disorder);
severe liver disease;
a severe breathing problem;
sleep apnea (breathing stops during sleep); or
alcoholism, or addiction to drugs similar to diazepam.
To make sure diazepam is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have any of these conditions:
glaucoma;
asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), or other breathing problems;
kidney or liver disease;
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
a history of mental illness, depression, or suicidal thoughts or behavior;
a history of drug or alcohol addiction; or
if you use a narcotic (opioid) medication.
When treating seizures, do not start or stop taking diazepam during pregnancy without your doctor's advice. Diazepam may cause harm to an unborn baby, but having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both the mother and the baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking diazepam for seizures.
When treating anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, or muscle spasms: If you take diazepam while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies born dependent on habit-forming medicine may need medical treatment for several weeks. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Diazepam can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
The sedative effects of diazepam may last longer in older adults. Accidental falls are common in elderly patients who take benzodiazepines. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental injury while you are taking this medicine.
Diazepam is not approved for use by anyone younger than 6 months old. Do not give this medicine to a child without a doctor's advice.
How should I take diazepam?
Take diazepam exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Diazepam may be habit-forming. Misuse of habit-forming medicine can cause addiction, overdose, or death. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.
Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Diazepam should be used for only a short time. Do not take this medicine for longer than 4 months without your doctor's advice.
Do not stop using diazepam suddenly, or you could have increased seizures or unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.
Call your doctor at once if you feel that this medicine is not working as well as usual, or if you think you need to use more than usual.
While using diazepam, you may need frequent blood tests at your doctor's office.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. After you have stopped using this medicine, flush any unused pills down the toilet.
Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Diazepam is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.
See also: Dosage Information (in more detail)
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of diazepam can be fatal.
Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, loss of balance or coordination, limp or weak muscles, or fainting.
What should I avoid while taking diazepam?
This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Avoid drinking alcohol. Dangerous side effects could occur.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with diazepam and lead to unwanted side effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor.
Diazepam side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to diazepam: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;
unusual risk-taking behavior, decreased inhibitions, no fear of danger;
depressed mood, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;
hyperactivity, agitation, aggression, hostility;
new or worsening seizures;
weak or shallow breathing, a feeling like you might pass out;
muscle twitching, tremor;
loss of bladder control; or
little or no urinating.
Common diazepam side effects may include:
drowsiness;
tired feeling;
muscle weakness; or
loss of coordination.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also: Side effects (in more detail)
Diazepam dosing information
Usual Adult Dose for Anxiety:
Oral: 2 to 10 mg 2 to 4 times a day.
IM or IV: 2 to 5 mg (moderate anxiety) or 5 to 10 mg (severe anxiety) for one dose. May repeat in 3 to 4 hours, if necessary.
Usual Adult Dose for Alcohol Withdrawal:
Oral: 10 mg 3 to 4 times during the first 24 hours, then 5 mg 3 to 4 times a day as needed.
IM or IV: 5 to 10 mg one time. May repeat in 3 to 4 hours, if necessary.
Usual Adult Dose for ICU Agitation:
Initial dose: 0.02 to 0.08 mg/kg IV over 2 to 5 minutes every 0.5 to 2 hours to control acute agitation.
Maintenance dose: 0.4 to 0.2 mg/kg/hr by continuous IV infusion.
Usual Adult Dose for Muscle Spasm:
Oral: 2 to 10 mg 3 to 4 times a day.
IM or IV: 5 to 10 mg initially, then 5 to 10 mg in 3 to 4 hours, if necessary. For tetanus, larger doses may be required.
Usual Adult Dose for Seizures:
Oral: 2 to 10 mg 2 to 4 times a day.
Rectal gel: 0.2 mg/kg, rounded up to the nearest available unit dose. A supplemental dose of 2.5 mg may be added for more precise titration or if a portion of the first dose is expelled. May repeat in 4 to 12 hours. Maximum of 1 episode every 5 days, or 5 episodes per month.
Usual Adult Dose for Endoscopy or Radiology Premedication:
IV: 10 mg or less is usually adequate; however up to 20 mg may be necessary to produce the desired sedation in some patients.
IM: If IV cannot be used, 5 to 10 mg 30 minutes prior to the procedure.
Dosage of narcotics should be reduced by at least a third and in some cases may be omitted.
Usual Adult Dose for Status Epilepticus:
IV or IM: 5 to 10 mg initially (IV preferred).
May be repeated at 10 to 15 minute intervals up to a maximum dose of 30 mg.
If necessary, may be repeated again in 2 to 4 hours.
Usual Adult Dose for Light Anesthesia:
Premedication for Anesthesia:
10 mg, IM (preferred route), 1 to 2 hours before surgery.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Seizures:
Rectal gel:
Infants less than 6 months old: Not recommended; product contains benzoic acid, benzyl alcohol, ethanol 10%, propylene glycol, and sodium benzoate. Prolonged CNS depression has been reported in neonates receiving diazepam.
Infants and Children 6 months to 2 years: Dose not established
2 to 5 years: 0.5 mg/kg, rounded up to the nearest available unit dose.
6 to 11 years: 0.3 mg/kg, rounded up to the nearest available unit dose.
12 years or greater: 0.2 mg/kg, rounded up to the nearest available unit dose.
A supplemental dose of 2.5 mg may be added in 10 minutes for more precise titration or if a portion of the first dose is expelled. May repeat in 4 to 12 hours. Maximum of 1 episode every 5 days, or 5 episodes per month.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Status Epilepticus:
Neonates: IV: (This is not recommended as a first line agent because the injection contains benzoic acid, benzyl alcohol, and sodium benzoate): 0.1 to 0.3 mg/kg/dose given over 3 to 5 minutes, every 15 to 30 minutes to a maximum total dose of 2 mg.
Infants greater than 30 days old and Children: IV: 0.1 to 0.3 mg/kg dose given over 3 to 5 minutes, every 5 to 10 minutes (maximum of 10 mg/dose).
Manufacturer recommendation:
Infants greater than 30 days old and Children less than 5 years: IV: 0.2 to 0.5 mg slow IV every 2 to 5 minutes up to a maximum total dose of 5 mg. Repeat in 2 to 4 hours if needed.
Children greater than or equal to 5 years: IV: 1 mg slow IV every 2 to 5 minutes up to a maximum of 10 mg. Repeat in 2 to 4 hours if needed.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Anxiety:
1 to 12 years:
Oral: 0.12 to 0.8 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 6 to 8 hours as needed.
IM: 0.04 to 0.3 mg/kg every 2 to 4 hours as needed, up to a maximum of 0.6 mg/kg in 8 hours.
Febrile seizure prophylaxis in children: Oral: 1 mg/kg/day orally in divided doses every 8 hours. Initiate therapy at first sign of fever and continue for 24 hours after fever resolves.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Muscle Spasm:
1 to 12 years:
Oral: 0.12 to 0.8 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 6 to 8 hours as needed.
IM: 0.04 to 0.3 mg/kg every 2 to 4 hours as needed, up to a maximum of 0.6 mg/kg in 8 hours.
Febrile seizure prophylaxis in children: Oral: 1 mg/kg/day orally in divided doses every 8 hours. Initiate therapy at first sign of fever and continue for 24 hours after fever resolves.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Seizure Prophylaxis:
1 to 12 years:
Oral: 0.12 to 0.8 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 6 to 8 hours as needed.
IM: 0.04 to 0.3 mg/kg every 2 to 4 hours as needed, up to a maximum of 0.6 mg/kg in 8 hours.
Febrile seizure prophylaxis in children: Oral: 1 mg/kg/day orally in divided doses every 8 hours. Initiate therapy at first sign of fever and continue for 24 hours after fever resolves.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Light Sedation:
Conscious sedation for procedures:
Oral:
1 to 12 years: 0.2 to 0.3 mg/kg orally 45 to 60 minutes before procedure, up to a maximum of 10 mg
13 to 18 years: 5 mg orally 45 to 60 minutes before procedure, may repeat with 2.5 mg dose.
Sedation:
1 to 12 years:
Oral: 0.02 to 0.3 mg/kg every 6 to 8 hours as needed.
IM: 0.04 to 0.3 mg/kg IM every 2 to 4 hours as needed, up to a maximum of 0.6 mg/kg in 8 hours.
13 to 18 years:
Oral: 2 to 10 mg 2 to 4 times a day as needed.
IM or IV: 2 to 10 mg 2 to 4 times a day as needed.
Usual Pediatric Dose for Tetanus:
Less than 1 month: 0.83 to 1.67 mg/kg/hour by continuous IV infusion, or 1.67 to 3.33 mg/kg IV, slowly, every 2 hours (20 to 40 mg/kg/day). Diazepam injection is not recommended as the drug of choice for neonates due to its benzyl alcohol and propylene glycol content.
1 month to 5 years: 1 to 2 mg IM or IV, slowly, repeated every 3 to 4 hours as necessary, or 15 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 2 hours.
Greater than 5 years: 5 to 10 mg IM or IV, slowly, repeated every 3 to 4 hours as necessary.
What other drugs will affect diazepam?
Taking diazepam with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous side effects or death. Ask your doctor before taking a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, prescription cough medicine, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:
cimetidine;
disulfiram (Antabuse);
omeprazole;
phenytoin;
an antibiotic--clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin;
an antidepressant such as fluoxetine and others;
antifungal medicine--itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole;
heart or blood pressure medication such as diltiazem, nicardipine, quinidine, verapamil, and others; or
HIV/AIDS medicine--atazanavir, delavirdine, fosamprenavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir, or ritonavir.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with diazepam, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
