Can you take diazepam only when needed?

Diazepam may be taken every day at regular times or on an as-needed (“PRN”) basis. Typically, your health care provider will limit the number of doses you should take in one day. Your health care provider will determine the dose and method of taking the medication that is right for you based upon your response.

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Can I take diazepam intermittently?

Diazepam is also effective in single or intermittent dosage. Potent, short-acting benzodiazepines such as triazolam appear to carry greater risks of adverse effects.

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Can you skip diazepam?

If you're taking diazepam regularly and forget to take a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. In this case, just leave out the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.

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Can you take benzodiazepines only when needed?

Most benzodiazepines are likely to be more effective if you take them as a one-off dose. They can also be effective as a short-term treatment for a few weeks. Doctors will usually advise that you should: avoid taking them every day.

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How often can I take diazepam for anxiety?

For anxiety: Adults—2 to 10 milligrams (mg) 2 to 4 times a day. Older adults—At first, 2 to 2.5 mg 1 or 2 times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed.

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DIAZEPAM (Valium) | Medication for Anxiety, Muscle Spasm & Seizures | What You Need to Know

23 related questions found

Should you take diazepam every day?

Some people may only have to take diazepam for one day, for instance before they have an operation. You should not normally be prescribed diazepam for more than four weeks. If you are taking diazepam to help you sleep, you should take it just before bedtime. Diazepam can be taken before or after food.

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Is 5mg diazepam good for anxiety?

Diazepam is used to treat anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, and seizures. It is also used to relieve muscle spasms and to provide sedation before medical procedures. This medication works by calming the brain and nerves. Diazepam belongs to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines.

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Is it okay to take benzos occasionally?

You should only be prescribed benzodiazepines for the shortest amount of time possible. Taking benzodiazepines regularly for a few weeks or more can lead to addiction. Doctors recommend that you only take them for 2-4 weeks. Intermittent use may help to avoid addiction.

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Can you take anxiety medication only when needed?

Some anxiety medications can be taken as needed when a person is feeling anxious. In other cases, medications need to be taken regularly in order to provide more lasting relief. Fortunately, there are a number of anxiety medications available to treat anxiety disorder symptoms.

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What is the safest anti-anxiety drug?

As of this writing, some of the anxiety medications with the fewest reported side effects and least risk of side effects include:
  • Most Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Valium)
  • Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
  • Citalopram (Celexa - SSRI)
  • Paroxetine (Paxil - SSRI)

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When should I avoid diazepam?

have liver or kidney problems. have myasthenia gravis, a condition that causes muscle weakness. have sleep apnoea, a condition that causes breathing problems when you're asleep. have depression or thoughts of harming yourself or suicide.

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What can I take instead of diazepam for anxiety?

Some non-addictive alternatives to benzodiazepines for anxiety available by prescription include:
  • SSRIs (antidepressants)
  • SNRIs (antidepressants)
  • Beta-Blockers (blood pressure medications)
  • Buspirone (anti-anxiety)
  • Hydroxyzine (brand name Vistaril, a prescription antihistamine).

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How long does 5mg diazepam last?

How Long Does Valium Last? Unlike other benzodiazepines, also known as benzos, Valium is a long-lasting medication. The effects of Valium can range from four hours to beyond 12 hours. Certain groups of people may experience longer-lasting effects from Valium compared to others.

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Can I take occasional 2mg diazepam for anxiety?

Treatment should not exceed 2–4 weeks. For anxiety, prescribe 2 mg three times a day. If needed, the dose can be increased to 15–30 mg daily in three divided doses (half the dose should be prescribed in elderly or debilitated people).

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Can you take diazepam for anxiety short-term?

Benzodiazepines are a type of sedative that may sometimes be used as a short-term treatment during a particularly severe period of anxiety. This is because they help ease the symptoms within 30 to 90 minutes of taking the medication. If you're prescribed a benzodiazepine, it'll usually be diazepam.

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What is the mildest anxiety med?

Buspirone, also known by the brand name BuSpar, is a newer anti-anxiety drug that acts as a mild tranquilizer. Buspirone relieves anxiety by increasing serotonin in the brain—as the SSRIs do—and decreasing dopamine. Compared to benzodiazepines, buspirone is slow acting—taking about two weeks to start working.

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What is the best anxiety medication to take as needed?

Benzodiazepines, such as Xanax and Klonopin, provide rapid relief from a panic attack. Providers may also prescribe them to prevent cases of acute anxiety like those stemming from a plane ride, for those with a fear of flying, or the moments leading up to a surgery.

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Can you take Xanax as needed or daily?

Alprazolam may be taken every day at regular times or on an as needed (“PRN”) basis. Typically, your health care provider will limit the number of doses you should take in one day. Your health care provider will determine the dose and method of taking the medication that is right for you based upon your response.

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Why Benzos are not good for anxiety?

They're often used together with other treatments for anxiety, like therapy and antidepressants. Though benzos are good at relieving anxiety, they can cause side effects like drowsiness or thinking problems. They may also increase the risk for car accidents, falls, and hip fractures.

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What is the safest benzodiazepine to take?

Oxazepam, temazepam, and chlordiazepoxide which are low potency benzodiazepines are well tolerated with low toxicity levels.

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Why does diazepam calm anxiety?

It works by increasing the levels of a calming chemical in your brain called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Diazepam is available on prescription only. It comes as tablets, a liquid that you swallow, or in a rectal tube – medicine that's squeezed into your bottom (anus).

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How long does it take for diazepam to stop anxiety?

anxiety – you should start to feel a bit better within a few hours, but it may take a week or 2 for you to feel the full effects. muscle spasms – you should begin to feel less pain after 15 minutes.

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Is 5mg of diazepam a day a lot?

Doctors generally recommend the drug should be used at dosages of 2-10 mg. This amount can be taken up to four times in a 24-hour time frame. The maximum daily total use in milligrams should not exceed 40 mg. Consuming a higher dosage of valium than prescribed by your doctor could lead to an overdose.

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