Staying on diazepam for years is generally not recommended by medical professionals due to the high risk of developing tolerance, physical and psychological dependence (addiction), and potential long-term side effects. Most guidelines recommend using diazepam for only a short period, typically 2 to 4 weeks.
It is possible to become addicted to diazepam. To reduce the risk of becoming addicted, it's best to take the lowest dose that treats your symptoms, and to take it for only a short time (2 to 4 weeks).
Diazepam is a benzodiazepine tranquilliser with anticonvulsant, sedative, muscle relaxant and amnesic properties 15,16,6. Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam, bind to receptors in various regions of the brain and spinal cord. This binding increases the inhibitory effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) 15,16,6.
**Blurred Vision**: Temporary blurred vision or other changes in eyesight can occur. If you experience persistent vision problems, it's crucial to consult a healthcare professional. 2. **Gastrointestinal Issues**: Nausea, constipation, or diarrhea can be side effects of diazepam.
Effects of long-term benzodiazepine use
Benzo belly is a potential side effect of benzodiazepine medications that can manifest as a range of gastrointestinal symptoms, including bloating, constipation, nausea and indigestion. While the duration of symptoms can vary, they may persist for weeks or months after stopping benzodiazepine treatment.
BusPar (buspirone)
Unlike benzodiazepines, it does not cause drowsiness or cognitive impairment, and has a lower risk of dependence. Buspirone falls under the class of anxiolytics, and it works by interacting with serotonin and dopamine receptors in the brain, gradually alleviating anxiety symptoms over time.
Lorazepam is more effective than diazepam in blocking the emergence sequelae from ketamine. Lorazepam i.v. is followed by a lesser frequency of venous thrombosis.
Flumazenil is also indicated for managing and treating benzodiazepine overdose in adults. It is useful in reversing coma due to benzodiazepine overdose. Flumazenil is more effective in reversing sedation or coma in benzodiazepine intoxication than in patients with multiple drug overdoses.
Like other benzodiazepines, diazepam impairs short-term memory and learning new information. Diazepam and other benzodiazepines can produce anterograde amnesia, but not retrograde amnesia, which means information learned before using benzodiazepines is not impaired.
Anti-anxiety medications help reduce the symptoms of anxiety, such as panic attacks or extreme fear and worry. The most common anti-anxiety medications are called benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are a group of medications that can help reduce anxiety and make it easier to sleep.
Diazepam Withdrawal Symptoms
Sleep disturbances, including nightmares or unusually vivid dreams, may also occur. Mood swings and irritability, restlessness, and fatigue are all common during early benzodiazepine withdrawal as well. The early stage of Valium withdrawal likely lasts between a day and four days.
The symptoms of acute withdrawal will typically include some combination of: Physical symptoms that can include combinations of headaches, nausea, vomiting, stomach pains, cramps, and even tremors (most often, these tremors will occur in the hands)
You should take 2mg up to three times a day as needed for no more than 3 days. Taking this medication for longer can lead to addiction and make it hard to stop taking it.
IMPORTANT WARNING: has been expanded. Diazepam may cause serious or life-threatening breathing problems, drowsiness, or coma if used along with certain medications. Tell your doctor if you are taking or plan to take medications for cough or for pain.
DIAZEPAM (dye AZ e pam) treats seizures, muscle spasms, or twitches. It is also used to treat anxiety, including before a procedure. It can be used to reduce the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. It works by helping your nervous system calm down.
Clonazepam (Klonopin)
Effectiveness: High potency with a longer duration, making it suitable for ongoing anxiety and certain seizure disorders. Safety: It is less likely to cause memory-related side effects compared to some other benzos.
Propranolol is a beta blocker first approved by the FDA in 1967 to treat heart conditions and high blood pressure. Today, many clinicians also prescribe it off-label for short-term, situational anxiety because it calms the body's stress response.
Among the SSRIs paroxetine seems to be the worst offender and fluoxetine the least while sertraline and fluvoxamine tend to be intermediate. However, the most serious discontinuation reactions came from the SNRI venlafaxine.
Serious adverse effects of diazepam include:
A nervous stomach refers to gastrointestinal symptoms such as stomach pain, bloating, nausea, and changes in bowel habits that are triggered or exacerbated by emotional stress or anxiety. Symptoms of a Nervous Stomach: Stomach Pain: This can range from mild discomfort to sharp, cramping pains in the upper abdomen.
Other benzodiazepine receptors, not linked to GABA, are present in the kidney, colon, blood cells and adrenal cortex and these may also be affected by some benzodiazepines. These direct and indirect actions are responsible for the well-known adverse effects of dosage with benzodiazepines.