In general, diazepam should be used only for short periods, around 2 to 4 weeks, unless advised by your doctor. If used over a long period, you can become dependent on diazepam.
Long-term use of diazepam can lead to chemical dependency and, eventually, to severe addiction. Understanding the health complications of Valium addiction may encourage nonmedical users of this drug to reach out for help.
Dosage for tablets and liquid
sleep problems (related to anxiety) – 5mg to 15mg, taken once a day at bedtime. muscle spasms in adults – 2mg to 15 mg a day. This can be taken as 1mg twice a day and can go up to 5mg taken 3 times a day. The dose can be increased to up to 20mg, taken 3 times a day if needed.
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. Children 6 months of age and older—At first, 1 to 2.5 mg 3 or 4 times per day.
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.
Diazepam has an average rating of 8.5 out of 10 from a total of 805 reviews on Drugs.com. 82% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 9% reported a negative experience.
Drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness, blurred vision, or unsteadiness may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
People are not normally prescribed diazepam for more than four weeks as people can become dependent on it if they take it for longer. They may also get withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking it. You and your doctor should talk about how long you might need to take diazepam.
Is diazepam addictive? 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).
Valium, also known as diazepam, is a highly addictive benzodiazepine that is only legally available on prescription and classed as a controlled drug. It's potential for abuse and dependence is substantial and should only be used under the strict supervision and guidance of a medical practitioner.
Diazepam is used to treat anxiety that is more serious than that caused by the normal stress of everyday life. Diazepam is also used to relax muscles and treat muscle spasms that occur due to injury and conditions like cerebral palsy and paraplegia.
Depending on a number of factors, this time period can last 30-56 hours. It therefore takes an average of 10 days for the entirety of the drug to leave the system, and that's just for the drug itself.
Long-term use is sometimes described as use not shorter than three months. Benzodiazepines are generally effective when used therapeutically in the short term, but even then the risk of dependency can be significantly high.
If you take this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well.
For example, if you have general anxiety, a long-lasting benzo, like diazepam or clonazepam, might be the best first choice.
“You shouldn't drink alcohol while taking diazepam,” warns Medical News Today. “This drug can interfere with your judgment, thinking, and motor skills. It can also make you drowsy and cause your breathing to slow down or stop.
Bottom Line. Diazepam may be used occasionally to relieve anxiety and prolonged seizures; however, it is addictive and withdrawal symptoms can be severe.
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).
Valium can be used to treat anxiety as well as a number of other mental health and medical conditions. It also acts as an anticonvulsant and may also be used to treat anxiety associated with certain illnesses. Other conditions it may be used to treat include: Anxiety disorders.
Valium, diazepam, is a long-acting benzodiazepine, that is often used, against recommendation, to treat anxiety disorders such as panic disorder.
It is concluded that patients receiving a 2.5 mg dose of lorazepam should not drive or operate machinery for 24 h after the administration. After diazepam (10 mg) or medazepam (15 mg) patients should refrain from driving or participating inskilled performances for only 5 to 7 hours.
There is evidence use of these drugs stops the normal adjustment response that would gradually lessen anxiety over time, and may increase anxiety in the long term, especially if used repeatedly. Diazepam and similar controlled drugs are illegal in a number of countriesi.
Valium (diazepam) is a medication that can be used to treat anxiety as well as alcohol withdrawal and seizures. Valium also has a sedative effect that is useful for treating muscle spasms. Valium for anxiety works by calming the brain and nerves.
Significantly increased tryptophan and serotonin concentrations were found in the intervention groups receiving higher doses of diazepam in 2.5 h exposure (p < 0.05 control versus intervention groups).