Sometimes your doctor may prescribe a medicine called diazepam. This might be for a seizure, a tight muscle, or a big worry in your mind. Hearing this name for the first time can make you feel a little nervous or curious. So let us talk clearly and simply about what diazepam is, how to use it, and what things you need to watch out for.
Key Takeaways
- Diazepam calms your nervous system and helps your body relax.
- Always use the special measuring tool that comes with your liquid medicine.
- Never drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine.
- Tell your doctor about every other medicine you take.
- Never stop taking this medicine suddenly without talking to your doctor first.
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What Is Diazepam?
Simply put, diazepam is a medicine that calms your nervous system. It gives your mind and your body a gentle rest. This medicine belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines. Doctors use this medicine mainly for a few different reasons.
It helps control seizures. It also reduces muscle spasms and stiffness. Doctors use it to lower bad anxiety before a medical procedure. It also helps manage signs that happen when someone stops drinking alcohol.
Your doctor might use it for other reasons too. Your doctor will explain those reasons to you clearly.
Things to Tell Your Doctor Before Taking This Medicine
Before you take this medicine, your doctor needs to know your health history. If you have any of the health conditions listed below, you must tell your doctor right away without hiding anything.
| Health Conditions to Report |
|---|
| Past or current addiction to alcohol or other drugs. |
| Mental health issues like depression or bipolar disorder. |
| An eye condition called glaucoma. |
| Kidney or liver disease. |
| Lung problems or trouble breathing. |
| A muscle weakness disease called myasthenia gravis. |
| Parkinson disease. |
| Thoughts about hurting yourself. |
| Allergies to diazepam, other benzodiazepines, food, or dyes. |
| If you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. |
How to Use This Medicine Correctly
To get the right results from your medicine, you must use it in the correct way. Follow these steps carefully every single day.
Take only the exact dose your doctor tells you to take. Read the label on the medicine bottle and follow those directions closely.
Because this medicine is a liquid solution, shake the bottle well before you use it. This mixes the medicine evenly.
Always use the special measuring spoon or cup that comes with your medicine. Do not use regular kitchen spoons from home. Kitchen spoons do not give an accurate measurement.
Take your dose at the right time. Never take more than your prescribed amount.
Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without your doctor telling you to do so. Stopping suddenly can cause new problems. If you need to stop, your doctor will help you lower the dose slowly over time.
What to Do If You Take Too Much Medicine
If you think you took more medicine than your doctor prescribed, this is a medical emergency. Do not wait. Go right away to the nearest hospital emergency room (ER or A&E). You can also call your local poison control center for immediate guidance.
What to Do If You Miss a Dose
If you forget to take your medicine dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Then take your next dose at the regular time. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Other Medicines That Can Interact With Diazepam
Some medicines can interact with each other when you take them together. This is called a drug interaction. Drug interactions can make side effects worse or change how your medicine works.
| Medicines You Must Never Take With Diazepam |
|---|
| Narcotic cough medicines that cause drowsiness. |
| Sodium oxybate. |
| Medicines to Tell Your Doctor About Before Mixing |
|---|
| Tell your doctor if you take alcohol, pain medicines with narcotics, anxiety or sleep drugs, muscle relaxants, depression medicines like amitriptyline or fluoxetine, seizure drugs like carbamazepine, phenobarbital, or valproate, certain antibiotics, antifungals, antihistamines, antacids, blood pressure medicines, warfarin, or theophylline. |
This list does not include every possible medicine. Tell your doctor about every vitamin, herbal product, and supplement you take. Tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol too.
Things to Watch While Taking This Medicine
This medicine can make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Until you know how this medicine affects your body, do not drive cars, operate heavy machinery, or do tasks that need your full attention.
Avoid drinking alcohol completely while you take this medicine. Alcohol makes sleepiness and dizziness much worse and can lead to dangerous situations.
To avoid dizziness and fainting, do not stand up too fast from a sitting or lying position. If you are an older adult, take extra time when standing up.
If your health symptoms do not get better, or if they get worse, talk to your doctor right away.
Possible Side Effects of Diazepam
Like all medicines, diazepam can cause side effects. Some side effects are serious while others are mild.
| Serious Side Effects That Need Immediate Medical Care | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. |
| Central nervous system slowing | Slow or shallow breathing, trouble breathing, extreme sleepiness, trouble waking up, or confusion. |
| Mental changes | Thoughts of hurting yourself, feeling worse, or signs of severe depression. |
| Common Mild Side Effects (Tell Doctor If They Do Not Go Away) | |
|---|---|
| Dizziness | Drowsiness |
| Headache | |
When to Seek Emergency Help
Call 911 (US/Canada) or 999 (UK) or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department right away if you experience severe breathing problems, blue lips, sudden severe confusion, or signs of a serious allergic reaction.
How to Store and Throw Away This Medicine Safely
Keep this medicine in a safe place away from children and pets. Store it at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius. Keep it away from bright light and extra moisture. Make sure the bottle cap is tightly closed. Do not store this medicine in the refrigerator.
Throwing away expired or unneeded medicine correctly is very important. If the wrong person takes it, the result can be deadly. Ask your doctor how to dispose of your medicine safely. Some towns have medicine take-back programs. If you can put it in the household trash, mix the liquid medicine with cat litter, dirt, or used coffee grounds. Put the mixture inside a sealed plastic bag before putting it in your trash bin.
💡 Take-Home Message
- Diazepam is a medicine that calms your nervous system and should only be used under a doctor's guidance.
- Take your exact dose at the correct time. Never use kitchen spoons to measure your liquid medicine.
- Avoid drinking alcohol and do not drive or do tasks that need sharp focus while taking this medicine.
- Tell your doctor about all other medicines you take and never share your pills or liquid with anyone else.
- Get emergency medical help right away if you notice severe side effects like trouble breathing or extreme sleepiness.
- Never stop taking this medicine suddenly without talking to your doctor first.
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