Diazepam, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antianxiety; anxiolytic; benzodiazepine; tranquilizer; anticonvulsant; muscle relaxant

Generic and brand names: diazepam, oral; Valium

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to treat anxiety disorders.

It is also used to treat the symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawal, for relief of muscle spasms, and to treat seizure disorders (convulsions). It is also used to treat anxiety before surgery or medical or dental procedures.

It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will explain why you are taking this medicine.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• breathing problems
• depression or other mental illness
• glaucoma
• liver or kidney disease
• problems with drug or alcohol abuse
• seizures
• trouble swallowing.

Females of childbearing age: This medicine is not usually given to pregnant women because it can harm the baby. If you are pregnant, tell your healthcare provider. Do not become pregnant during treatment with this medicine. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider right away. Do not breast-feed while you are receiving this medicine.

How do I use it?

Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more of it or take it longer than prescribed because it may be habit-forming.

Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. You may have to reduce your dosage gradually. Stopping too quickly may cause withdrawal symptoms, which may include seizures (convulsions).

If you are using the liquid, measure each dose with the dropper provided with the medicine. Mix the solution with water or soda, or in applesauce or pudding. Take the medicine right away. Do not save it to be used later.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What should I watch out for?

You may need to have lab tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

This medicine increases the effects of alcohol and other drugs that slow down your nervous system. Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine. Do not take other medicines unless your healthcare provider approves.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

This medicine may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive or operate machinery until you are fully alert and can see clearly.

If you have thoughts of suicide, contact your healthcare provider right away.

Adults over the age of 65 may be at greater risk for side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Irregular or fast heartbeat, fainting or lightheadedness, hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that aren't there) or severe confusion, depression, yellowing of the skin or eyes, trouble urinating, trouble walking, muscle movement or twitching that you can't control.

Other: Slurred speech, drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness, restlessness, nervousness, itching, rash, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, nausea, loss of appetite, weight changes, loss of interest in sex.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone)
• antacids such as Maalox, Mylanta, and Tums (take them 2 hours apart from this medicine)
• antibiotics such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (Erythrocin, EES, E-Mycin, EryPed), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), metronidazole (Flagyl), rifampin (Rifampin, Rimactane), and rifabutin (Mycobutin)
• anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine (Tegretol), felbamate (Felbatol), lamotrigine (Lamictal), levetiracetam (Keppra), topiramate (Topamax), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), tiagabine (Gabitril), phenytoin (Dilantin), and valproic acid (Depakote, Depakene)
• antidepressants such as fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), nefazodone, paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), amitriptyline, amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl), protriptyline (Vivactil), and trimipramine (Surmontil)
• antifungals such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), and ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril), and chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton)
• antinausea medicines such as prochlorperazine (Compazine) and promethazine (Phenergan)
• antipsychotic medicines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Permitil, Prolixin), loxapine (Loxitane), perphenazine, pimozide (Orap), trifluoperazine (Stelazine), thioridazine, haloperidol (Haldol), clozapine (Clozaril), risperidone (Risperdal), and olanzapine (Zyprexa)
• barbiturates such as phenobarbital, butabarbital (Butisol), and pentobarbital (Nembutal)
• benzodiazepines such as chlordiazepoxide (Librium), diazepam (Valium), triazolam (Halcion), and lorazepam (Ativan)
• beta blockers such as metoprolol (Lopressor), atenolol (Tenormin), acebutolol (Sectral), betaxolol (Kerlone), carteolol, bisoprolol (Zebeta), pindolol, timolol, sotalol (Betapace), nadolol (Corgard), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), carvedilol (Coreg), and propranolol (Inderal)
• birth control pills
• calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem (Cardizem), nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), isradipine (DynaCirc), felodipine (Plendil), nicardipine (Cardene), and verapamil (Calan, Isoptin)
• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf)
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• disulfiram (Antabuse)
• ergotamine tartrate (Ergomar, Cafergot)
• herbal remedies such as St. John's wort, kava, gotu kola, and valerian root
• isoniazid (Laniazid, Nydrazid)
• levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet)
• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), selegiline (Eldepryl), and isocarboxazid (Marplan) (Do not take an MAO inhibitor and this medicine within 14 days of each other.)
• medicines to treat AIDS such as saquinavir (Invirase, Fortovase), ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), and amprenavir (Agenerase)
• muscle relaxants such as cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), carisoprodol (Soma), tizanidine (Zanaflex), methocarbamol (Robaxin), and baclofen (Lioresal)
• narcotic painkillers such as codeine, morphine (MS Contin, Kadian), oxycodone (OxyContin), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvon-N, Darvocet, Wygesic), and combination products such as Vicodin, Tylox, Percocet, Percodan, and Tylenol #3
• omeprazole (Prilosec)
• probenecid (Benemid)
• sedatives such as zolpidem (Ambien), eszopiclone (Lunesta), and zaleplon (Sonata)
• theophylline.

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine.

The effects of this medicine may be increased if you take it with grapefruit juice. Discuss this with your healthcare provider.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.