When should you not take 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 happens if you take diazepam if you don't need it?

Misuse or addiction: Taking this drug can also lead to misuse and addiction. Misuse of diazepam increases your risk for overdose and death. Follow the prescription: Only take this drug as your doctor prescribes. Talk with your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about safely taking this drug.

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What are the rules for taking diazepam?

You'll usually take diazepam for no longer than 2 to 4 weeks. If you're prescribed diazepam for more than 4 weeks, your dose may be reduced gradually when you stop taking it to prevent withdrawal symptoms. Is diazepam addictive? It is possible to become addicted to diazepam.

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Which drug should not be taken with diazepam?

drowsy or sedating antihistamines, such as chlorphenamine or promethazine. strong painkillers, such as codeine, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, pethidine or tramadol. HIV medicines, such as ritonavir, atazanavir, efavirenz or saquinavir. antifungal medicines, such as fluconazole.

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Why do doctors not prescribe diazepam?

Whilst most people find benzodiazepines like diazepam sedating, a small number have paradoxical agitation and in aggression. They can also cause disinhibition and lead you to behave in a way that you would not normally.

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

30 related questions found

What are the bad things about diazepam?

Serious side effects
  • your skin turns yellow, or the whites of your eyes turn yellow although this may be less obvious on brown or black skin.
  • you see or hear things that are not there (hallucinations)
  • you think things that are not true (delusions)
  • you keep falling over.

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What is a safer alternative to diazepam?

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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What cancels out diazepam?

Subjectively, caffeine and theophylline counteracted diazepam induced drowsiness and mental slowness. The results suggest, therefore, that the ample use of methylxanthines compensates various side-effects of benzodiazepines in man. It may also increase the need of sedation and thus the consumption of benzodiazepines.

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How long does it take for diazepam to kick in?

When administered intravenously, diazepam has an onset of action within 1 to 3 minutes, while oral dosing onset ranges between 15 to 60 minutes. In addition, diazepam is long-lasting, with a duration of action of more than 12 hours.

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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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How many hours before bed should I take diazepam?

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. Swallow tablets whole with a drink of water – if chewed, they taste bitter.

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Is it OK to take diazepam occasionally?

Bottom Line. Diazepam may be used occasionally to relieve anxiety and prolonged seizures; however, it is addictive and withdrawal symptoms can be severe.

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How much diazepam should I take to relax?

Dosage for tablets and liquid

anxiety – 2mg, taken 3 times a day, this can be increased to 5mg to 10mg, taken 3 times a day. sleep problems (related to anxiety) – 5mg to 15mg, taken once a day at bedtime. muscle spasms in adults – 2mg to 15 mg a day.

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Can I have a glass of wine with diazepam?

Diazepam and alcohol are both central nervous system depressants. Therefore, the effects of mixing diazepam and alcohol can not only be be unpleasant but, in some cases, life-threatening.

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Is it worth taking diazepam?

Diazepam has an average rating of 8.4 out of 10 from a total of 443 reviews for the treatment of Anxiety. 81% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 11% reported a negative experience.

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Will 5mg of diazepam help me sleep?

The usual dose for anxiety is 2mg taken 3 times a day (this can be increased to 5mg to 10mg 3 times a day.), for anxiety-related insomnia is 5mg to 15mg taken once a day at bedtime, and for muscle spasms in adults is 2mg to 15 mg a day although in some cases this can be increased under medical supervision to 20mg 3 ...

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How does diazepam make you feel the next day?

People wonder if there are valium side effects the next day, and for the most part, these side effects may not be as severe as with other substances, but they can occur. Some of the possible Valium side effects the next day can include feeling fatigued or groggy, having a headache or feeling depressed.

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How does diazepam calm you down?

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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Is diazepam a sleeping pill?

Diazepam is a benzodiazepine sleeping pill. It is also known by the trade names Dialar, Diazemuls, Diazepam Desitin, Diazepam Rectubes, Stesolid and Tensium. It is a class C controlled medicine. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has information about controlled medicines.

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What is better than diazepam for anxiety?

The central difference between lorazepam and diazepam is lorazepam leaves a person's system more quickly, reducing the chance of toxicity or side effects.

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Is diazepam a high risk medication?

Diazepam has a risk for abuse and addiction, which can lead to overdose and death. Taking this medication with alcohol or other drugs that can cause drowsiness or breathing problems (especially opioid medications such as codeine, hydrocodone) may cause very serious side effects, including death.

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Is there an anti anxiety medication that is not addictive?

Buspar® (Buspirone)

This non-addictive anxiety medication is similar to an SSRI in that it increases chemical messengers involving serotonin.

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What organs does diazepam affect?

Long-term use of the drug can cause irreversible damage to a person's cardiovascular system, liver, and even brain. Additionally, as levels of the drug increase over time, Valium abuse can have serious effects on a person's cognition, judgment, and memory.

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Is it bad to take diazepam every day?

Are There Any Risks For Taking Diazepam For Long Periods Of Time? Diazepam is a safe and effective medication when used as directed. Benzodiazepines may produce emotional and/or physical dependence (addiction) even when used as recommended. Physical dependence may develop after 2 or more weeks of daily use.

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Can diazepam make anxiety worse?

Ironically, many of the symptoms of long-term Valium abuse, such as anxiety and sleeplessness, are the same concerns that the medication was prescribed to treat. If overuse of the drug continues, these symptoms are likely to get worse.

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