Diazepam – action, use, dosage, contraindications, side effects

Proven content

Diazepam is a prescription drug that is used to treat anxiety, muscle cramps, and seizures. Diazepam works to calm the brain and nerves. It belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines.

Diazepam – action

Diazepam is a medicine that belongs to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines. It works by increasing the activity of the neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) in the brain.

Neurotransmitters are chemicals that are stored in the nerve cells of the brain and nervous system. They take part in transmitting messages between nerve cells. GABA is a neurotransmitter that acts as a natural nerve sedative (to inhibit the thalamus, hypothalamus and limbic system). It helps to keep the nerves in the brain balanced and is involved in reducing anxiety, relaxing muscles and making you sleepy. By increasing the activity of GABA in the brain, diazepam increases this sedative effect.

Diazepam is fairly well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and penetrates quickly into the central nervous system (CNS) due to its lipophilic nature. When administered orally, it reaches its maximum concentration in the blood within 30-90 minutes. Diazepam is metabolised in the liver and excreted in the urine. The effect of the action lasts up to several days.

See also: Drugs for depression – action, groups, rules of application

Diazepam – application

Diazepam is used to treat anxiety, muscle spasms and seizures. It is also used in hospitals to reduce alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as sweating or difficulty sleeping. It can also be used to relax before surgery or other medical or dental procedures.

It should be noted at this point that diazepam is available only by prescription. This is because it acts like a drug in high doses.

It comes in the form of tablets, swallowing fluid, or rectal enemas. It can also be given as an injection in a hospital.

See also: What is withdrawal syndrome?

Diazepam – dosage

How often and in what doses the patient should take diazepam is decided only by the doctor. Treatment with diazepam should not exceed 4 weeks. What is very important, in order to avoid or at least reduce withdrawal symptoms, you should gradually reduce the dose to zero. You must not drink alcohol for at least 36 hours after taking diazepam.

Diazepam – side effects

Drugs and their possible side effects can affect people in different ways. Some of the side effects of diazepam are listed below. However, it should be borne in mind that just because a side effect is listed here does not mean that all people taking diazepam will experience that or any side effect.

Very common side effects of diazepam (may affect more than 1 in 10 people):

1. Sleepiness (and dizziness the next day).

Common side effects of diazepam (may affect between 1 and 10 in 100 people):

1. Entanglement;
2. Feeling shaky or unstable (elderly people are prone to falls).

Rare side effects of diazepam (may affect between 1 and 100 in 1000 people):

1. Loss of memory (amnesia);
2. Problems with concentration;
3. Muscle weakness;
4. Dizziness;
5. Balance problems;
6. Headache;
7. Slurred speech;
8. Skin reactions such as redness, itching or rash;
9. Gut disturbances such as diarrhea, constipation, nausea, or vomiting;
10. Slow, shallow breathing.

Read the leaflet that comes with the medicine or talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you want any more information about the possible side effects of diazepam.

See also: What are speech disorders?

Diazepam – contraindications

Diazepam is not suitable for everyone. Let your doctor know before taking diazepam if:

1. we have had an allergic reaction to diazepam or any other medicine in the past;
2. we have liver or kidney problems
3. we have myasthenia gravis, a condition that causes muscle weakness;
4. we have sleep apnea, a condition that causes breathing problems while sleeping;
5. you are depressed or have thoughts of harming or killing yourself;
6. we are diagnosed with personality disorders;
7. we have (or have had) alcohol or drug problems;
8. we suffer from atherosclerosis, a condition that affects blood flow to the brain;
9. we have a low level of a protein called albumin in our blood;
10. we are trying to get pregnant, we are pregnant or breastfeeding;
11. we have over 65;
12. we are to undergo general anesthesia because of surgery or other treatment.

Diazepam and other drugs

It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including over-the-counter and herbal medicines, before you start taking diazepam. Likewise, it is recommended that you consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medications with diazepam, to make sure that the combination is safe.

Diazepam and opioids

If you are taking an opioid medicine such as a strong pain reliever such as morphine, fentanyl, dihydrocodeine or tramadol, a cough suppressant such as pholcodine or codeine, or an addiction medication such as methadone, taking diazepam can also cause very deep sleep and there is a risk abnormal breathing in sleep or difficulty waking. These medications should only be taken together if your doctor specifically recommends it.

Diazepam and painkillers

If we need a painkiller while taking diazepam, we can take paracetamol or ibuprofen. Taking co-codamol, codeine or dihydrocodeine is not recommended.

Diazepam – pregnancy and breastfeeding

There is insufficient information to say whether diazepam is safe to use in pregnancy. However, it may cause withdrawal symptoms in the newborn.

If a woman becomes pregnant while taking diazepam, it is recommended that she consult her physician. She may need to continue taking diazepam during pregnancy as it is important that she remains healthy.

If your doctor or health visitor determines that your baby is healthy, diazepam can be used while you are breastfeeding as long as you are taking only a small dose of diazepam occasionally or for a very short time.

Please note that diazepam passes into breast milk. If you take diazepam for a long time or in high doses it can build up in your milk. This can make your baby sleepy or tired and make it difficult to feed.

If a mother is breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, it is recommended that she talk to her doctor or pharmacist as other medications may be better while breastfeeding, although this will depend on what diazepam is used for. If you are breastfeeding taking diazepam and notice that your baby is not taking milk as well as usual, seems unusually sleepy, has unusual breathing or has any other concerns, please speak to your health visitor or doctor as soon as possible.

Before use, read the leaflet, which contains indications, contraindications, data on side effects and dosage as well as information on the use of the medicinal product, or consult your doctor or pharmacist, as each drug used improperly is a threat to your life or health. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.