Diazepam
Commercial names and formulations:
Brand name: Valium
Formulations: tablet, oral, rectal, and injectable
Years on the market:
How to store it?
Store at room temperature
What does the body do to the medication?
Can I take it with food?
Yes, the oral solution and tablet can be taken with food
How long does it take to get to the blood after I take it?
30 minutes by mouth, sooner with rectal use
How long does it take to start having a steady effect?
½ to 1 day by mouth
Can this medication be started at a high dose or it has to be started gradually?
Usually gradually
How long does it stay in the body?
About 1-2 days
How is it eliminated?
Liver
What does the medication do to the body?
Type of epilepsy that helps:
Generalized and partial Epilepsy
FDA approved for:
Acute treatment of seizure activity
Common side effects:
• Skin: rash
• Bones: none
• Blood: none
• Liver: none
• Kidneys: none
• Stomach and intestines: abdominal pain, diarrhea
• Heart: decrease in heart rate
• Brain: drowsiness, dizziness, headache, decrease in coordination
• Mood: nervousness, euphoria
• Others: pain, asthma, stuffy nose
Serious side effects:
Risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior, excessive sleepiness leading to breathing difficulty
What happens if I get too much of it (intoxication)?
Symptoms may include drowsiness, confusion, coma and diminished reflexes. Could be fatal if combined with alcohol or barbiturates.
What happens if I stop it suddenly (withdrawal)?
Withdrawal symptoms may include increased seizures or status epilepticus, tremor, stomach or muscle cramps, vomiting and sweating.
Who should not take this medication?
Adults who are allergic to any of the ingredients should not take diazepam, as well as adult with narrow angle glaucoma. Caution should be used with patients with respiratory difficulties or when combining with a barbiturate. The elderly should be careful using this medication, because it can increase the risk of falls.
What is the average dose and how many times a day should be given?
Children: 1 mg to 2½ mg, 3 or 4 times daily initially; increase gradually as needed
Adults: 2 mg to 10 mg, 2 to 4 times daily
Does the body get used to the medication?
Yes
Medications to be careful with:
Other AEDs that can increase the blood level of diazepam:
None anticipated
Other AEDs that can decrease the blood level of diazepam:
None anticipated
Other drug interactions:
Phenothiazines, narcotics, barbiturates, MAO inhibitors, antidepressants, cimetidine and valproate may potentiate the CNS-depressant effects of diazepam.
Blood work required?
CBC and CPM?
Yes
How often?
Periodic
Are medication levels in blood useful?
No
Normal range
0.1-1.0 mg/L
Women’s health
Affects contraceptives?
No
Affect fertility?
No
Are safe in pregnancy?
Diazepam should not be used during pregnancy.
Category
Pregnancy Category D
Can breastfeed?
Diazepam should not be used by women who are nursing.
Affect bones (osteoporosis)?
No
Men’s health
Affects sexual performance?
No
Affects fertility?
No
Use other than epilepsy:
Management of anxiety disorders or for the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety
Relief of skeletal muscle spasm or pain