Diazepam Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions & more

What does a diazepam do to you?How quickly do diazepam work?Is diazepam a sleeping pill?What class drug is diazepam?How long does diazepam last?What does 10mg diazepam feel like?diazepam side effects,diazepam 5mg,diazepam dose,diazepam brand name,diazepam for sleep,diazepam 2mg,diazepam mechanism of action,what is diazepam used for,diazepam side effects,diazepam dose,diazepam 5mg,what is diazepam used for,diazepam brand name,diazepam mechanism of action

Uses

Diazepam is a medication that is prescribed to patients suffering from anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, and seizures. In addition to this, it can be used to sedate patients before medical procedures in order to reduce muscle spasms. This drug works by reducing the amount of activity in the brain and on the nerves. There is a group of medications called benzodiazepines, and diazepam is a member of that group.

DO NOT MISS: Flexeril (Cyclobenzaprine): Uses, Side Effects, Dosages & more

Diazepam: How to Take It

Please also see the section labeled Warning.

Before beginning to use diazepam and whenever you get a refill for an existing prescription, make sure you have read the Patient’s Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist. If you have any questions, you should consult with either your physician or your pharmacist.

Take this drug by mouth as advised by your doctor, either with or without meals. If you are taking this medication in liquid form, you will need to measure the amount with a special measuring instrument or spoon to ensure accurate dosing. You should not use a regular spoon since you run the risk of not getting the right amount.

If you are going to be utilizing the concentrated solution, be sure to measure out your dosage using the medicine dropper that was provided and combine it with a little bit of liquid or soft food (such as applesauce, or pudding). Take up absolutely all of the combined ingredients right away. It is not recommended to keep the combination for use at a later time.

Your age, current medical condition, and how well you are responding to treatment all play a role in determining the appropriate dosage. Do not raise your dosage, take this medication more frequently, or use it for a longer period of time than directed. Your condition will not improve any more quickly, and the likelihood that you will experience adverse consequences will rise. When instructed to do so, withdraw from the drug in the correct manner.

It is possible that the effectiveness of this drug will diminish after prolonged use. Talk to your healthcare provider if you notice that this drug is no longer functioning well.

This prescription, despite the fact that it helps a large number of people, can sometimes lead to addiction. If you have a substance use disorder, such as excessive drug or alcohol use or addiction, your risk may be significantly increased for this condition. To reduce the likelihood of becoming addicted to this drug, it should be taken precisely as directed. Inquire with your primary care physician or your pharmacist for further information.

While you are taking this medicine, you should avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice unless your doctor or pharmacist has specifically given you permission to do so. The consumption of grapefruit while taking this medication may raise the risk of adverse effects. Inquire with your primary care physician or your pharmacist for further information.

Take this drug on a consistent basis as prescribed by your healthcare provider in order to derive the maximum benefit from it. Take it at the same time(s) every day so that you won’t forget when to take it.

Notify your primary care physician if your issue persists or worsens.

YOU MAY LIKE THIS: Pantoprazole Oral Tablet: Side Effects, How to Take, and More

Side Effects

It is possible to experience symptoms such as drowsiness, dizziness, weariness, blurred vision, or unsteadiness. Notify your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if any of these side effects continue or become worse.

Keep in mind that the reason your doctor has recommended that you take this medication is that he or she believes that the potential benefits to you outweigh the potential risks of doing so. The majority of persons who take this medicine do not report experiencing any severe adverse effects.

Notify your physician as soon as possible if you experience any serious side effects, such as mental or mood changes (such as memory problems, agitation, hallucinations, confusion, restlessness, or depression), trouble speaking, trouble walking, muscle weakness, shaking (tremors), difficulty urinating, yellowing eyes or skin, or signs of infection (such as a sore throat that does not go away, fever, or chills).

You should seek immediate medical attention if you have any very serious adverse effects, such as shallow or labored breathing.

It is quite unusual for this medicine to cause an extremely severe allergic reaction. However, you should seek immediate medical attention if you detect any symptoms of a significant allergic reaction, such as a rash, itching/swelling (particularly of the face/tongue/throat), extreme dizziness, or difficulty breathing. These symptoms may indicate anaphylaxis.

This list of potential adverse effects is not exhaustive in any way. Please consult your physician or pharmacist if you have any side effects that are not listed above.

In the United States, if you are experiencing any adverse effects, please consult your primary care physician. You can call the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or visit their website at www.fda.gov/medwatch to report any adverse effects.

In Canada, if you are experiencing any adverse effects, please consult your primary care physician. You can call Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345 to report any adverse effects you experience.

Precautions

Inform your physician or pharmacist that you are allergic to diazepam, as well as to any other benzodiazepines (including oxazepam and temazepam), or if you have any additional allergies before beginning treatment with diazepam. There is a possibility that this product contains inactive substances, which, if present, could result in allergic responses or other complications. Discuss the matter further with your pharmacist for further information.

Before beginning treatment with this medication, it is important to discuss your medical history with your doctor or pharmacist, particularly if you have or have ever had any of the following: a specific disease that affects the muscles (myasthenia gravis); lung or breathing problems (such as COPD, sleep apnea); mental or mood disorders (such as depression, thoughts of suicide, psychosis); personal or family history of a substance use disorder (such as excessive use of or addiction to drugs or alcohol); gla

This medication may cause you to feel drowsy, lightheaded, or distort your vision. Drinking alcohol or smoking marijuana (also known as cannabis) can make you feel more lightheaded and sleepy. Do not operate a motor vehicle, any machinery, or engage in any activity that requires alertness or clear vision until you are able to complete them safely. Steer clear of beverages containing alcohol. If you are a marijuana user, you should consult your primary care physician (cannabis).

Some liquid goods may contain alcohol. Talk to your primary care physician or your local pharmacist about the proper use of this medicine.

Before undergoing surgery, it is important to discuss all of the products you use with your dentist or doctor (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Diazepam may have the opposite impact on some children, creating mental and mood alterations rather than a soothing one. This may be the case for those youngsters who take the medication (such as agitation, hallucinations, and restlessness).

It’s possible that senior citizens are more vulnerable to the negative effects of this medication, particularly tiredness and lack of coordination. These adverse effects can increase the likelihood of experiencing a fall. For certain elderly people, diazepam may have the opposite effect of calming them down, generating mental and emotional shifts instead of the desired sedative effect (such as agitation, hallucinations, and restlessness).

Taking this drug while pregnant is not suggested by the manufacturer. It could cause harm to an unborn child. If you become pregnant or have any reason to believe that you may be pregnant, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible. Consult your doctor for additional details.

This medication is excreted into breast milk and may have unintended consequences for an infant who is being breastfed. It is not recommended that you continue breastfeeding while taking this medicine. Before starting to breastfeed, you should talk to your healthcare provider.

HERE MORE: Losartan potassium: Side effects, dosage, uses, and more

Interactions

Drug interactions can alter the way in which your prescriptions work or raise the likelihood that you will have major adverse effects. This document does not contain all possible medication interactions. Maintain a list of all the goods you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as herbal remedies, and give it to both your primary care physician and your pharmacist. Without first consulting your physician, you should never alter the dosage of any medication, stop taking any medication, or start taking any new medication.

Clozapine, fluvoxamine, orlistat, and sodium oxybate are a few examples of products that could potentially interact with this medication.

If this drug is taken with other products that may also cause drowsiness or breathing issues, the chance of serious side effects (such as slow or shallow breathing, and severe drowsiness/dizziness) may be increased. These adverse effects include slow or shallow breathing, and severe drowsiness/dizziness. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medications, including opioid pain relievers or cough relievers (such as codeine or hydrocodone), alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), other drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, or zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol or cyclobenzaprine), or antihistamines. These medications may interact with the effects of this medication (such as cetirizine, and diphenhydramine).

You should read the labels on all of your medications (such as those meant to treat allergies or coughs and colds) since some of them may contain substances that make you feel sleepy. Talk to your local pharmacist about the proper way to use those products.

This medicine has the potential to skew the findings of some laboratory tests, thus it should be avoided if at all possible. Ensure that the staff at the lab and all of your physicians are aware that you are using this medication.

ALSO READ: Lipitor: Side Effects, Dosage, Uses, warnings, and More 

Overdose

Dial 911 if you suspect that someone has overdosed and they are exhibiting serious symptoms such as passing out or having problems breathing. In any other case, you should immediately contact a poison control center. To reach the poison control center for your area in the United States, dial 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents can call a provincial poison control center. Some of the signs and symptoms of an overdose include extreme tiredness, sluggish reflexes, weak or shallow breathing, loss of consciousness, and fainting.

Warnings

This drug should not be given to anyone else. It is against the law to give it away.

While you are taking this medicine, you may be subjected to medical exams and/or laboratory tests (such as a complete blood count and liver function tests) if you have been using this drug for an extended period of time. Make sure you don’t miss any of your doctor or lab appointments.

Neglected Dose

If you forget to take a dose, you should take it as soon as you realize you forgot. If it is getting close to the time of the next dose, you should forgo the dose that you missed. Your next dose should be taken at the typical time. It is not necessary to double the dose in order to catch up.

Storage

Keep at room temperature and away from light and moisture. Store at room temperature. Keep away from the bathroom at all costs. If you are using the concentrated solution, throw away the bottle once it has been opened for a period of ninety days. Always make sure that children and animals are kept well away from any medications.

Unless you have been specifically told to do so, you should not flush drugs down the toilet or pour them down a drain. When it is no longer needed or has passed its expiration date, dispose of this product in the appropriate manner. Talk to your neighborhood pharmacy or the firm that handles garbage disposal in your area.