Valium is regulated in most countries as a prescription drug. Valium, falls within the drug classification of benzodiazepines. Valium, along with the other benzodiazepines are by far the drugs most often prescribed to treat anxiety problems. Also in addition to being good for anxiety, Valium is frequently used as a muscle relaxant and for sleeping difficulties. Sometimes the benzodiazepines are also used to treat seizures in some patients with epilepsy. It is considered a long-acting benzodiazepine, in that you may take one dosage to last all day. Valium is frequently prescribed for individuals with generalized anxiety disorder, problems with muscle relaxation (such as if you have back problems), and even for a condition called night terrors that occurs with children.
Valium (diazepam) belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines. Diazepam affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety.
Valium is used to treat anxiety disorders, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, or muscle spasms. Valium is sometimes used with other medications to treat seizures.
Valium may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Valium can be given to patients with very serious medical problems, and has no ill effects on the heart, lungs, or kidneys. It is not recommended if you have a history of alcohol abuse or have misused other drugs, or if you have liver disease.
Valium® (diazepam) is a prescription medication often prescribed for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal, muscle spasms, and anxiety. When taken in combination with other medications, it can also be used to treat seizures.
There appear to be numerous benefits of Valium. The medicine belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines. These drugs have several effects on the body, including:
Reducing anxiety
Causing sleepiness
Relaxing muscles
Stopping seizures
Impairing short-term memory.
Valium works in the brain by enhancing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a brain chemical that is naturally calming. GABA can slow down or stop certain nerve signals in the brain. This is why Valium and other benzodiazepines are known as mild tranquilizers, sedatives, or central nervous system depressants (CNS depressants).
Valium can be used for the treatment of anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, muscle spasms, or seizures. Valium and other benzodiazepine medications have several effects on the body, including relaxing muscles, causing sleepiness, and reducing anxiety. A few off-label Valium uses include the treatment of agitation, insomnia, and benzodiazepine withdrawal (which can occur when a person stops taking a benzodiazepine medication too quickly).
Stopping alcohol immediately is not always a good idea. In fact, it can be very dangerous. People who drink heavily or frequently may experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms if they stop drinking alcohol too quickly. Mild alcohol withdrawal symptoms can include slight shakiness, alcohol cravings, nervousness, depression, or clammy skin. More severe symptoms may include:
Seizures
Delirium tremens (“DTs”), a group of symptoms including confusion, agitation, and hallucinations
Severe nausea and vomiting
A very rapid heart rate (tachycardia).
Alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening. It should always be done under a healthcare provider's supervision, and hospitalization is often necessary. Valium can help with agitation, shakiness, and delirium tremens associated with alcohol withdrawal.
Most people experience feelings of anxiety before an important event. Anxiety disorders, however, are illnesses that load people's lives with overwhelming anxiety and fear that are chronic and unremitting, and that can grow progressively worse.
Depending on the type of anxiety, a person can experience several possible anxiety symptoms, including:
Feeling shaky, jittery, or nervous
Feeling tense, fearful, or apprehensive
Avoiding certain places or activities because of fear
A pounding or racing heart or trouble catching your breath
Unexplained sweating or trembling
Fear of losing control, going crazy, or dying.
Valium is approved for anxiety treatment. Valium is not for “everyday anxiety” and is recommended only for short-term use. Other anxiety medications (such as SSRIs, a certain type of antidepressants) are more appropriate for long-term use.
Muscle spasms are involuntary contractions of a muscle or group of muscles. While not usually dangerous, muscle spasms can be uncomfortable and painful. Valium is useful for treating muscle spasms due to the following causes:
Joint or muscle inflammation
Injury
Cerebral palsy
Paraplegia
Athetosis (a movement disorder of the hands and feet)
Stiff-man syndrome (a rare neurological disorder).
Valium is approved to treat seizures. However, it is not approved to be used alone. Instead, it is used along with other seizure medications. It can be useful for stopping a seizure that is particularly difficult to control.
On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend Valium for something other than the conditions listed in this article. This is known as using the medication “off-label.” Currently, off-label Valium uses can include treating the following conditions:
Agitation
Insomnia
Benzodiazepine withdrawal (due to stopping a benzodiazepine medication too quickly).
Sometimes, Valium is used as a sedative before certain medical or surgical procedures.
You should not use Valium if you are allergic to diazepam or similar medicines (Ativan, Klonopin, Restoril, Xanax, and others), or if you have myasthenia gravis, severe liver disease, narrow-angle glaucoma, a severe breathing problem, or sleep apnea.
Do not use Valium if you are pregnant or want to become pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby.
Neither use this medication while breast-feeding due to diazepam is excreted into human milk. Sedation, lethargy and weight loss have been reported in nursing infants.
Before you take Valium, tell your doctor if you have glaucoma, asthma or other breathing problems, kidney or liver disease, seizures, or a history of drug or alcohol addiction, mental illness, depression, or suicidal thoughts.
Treatments for depression are getting better every day and there are things you can start doing right away.
Do not drink alcohol while taking Valium. This medicine can increase the effects of alcohol.
Never take more of this medication than your doctor has prescribed. An overdose of Valium can be fatal.
Valium may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Valium: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Valium and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;
unusual risk-taking behavior, decreased inhibitions, no fear of danger;
depressed mood, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;
hyperactivity, agitation, aggression, hostility;
new or worsening seizures;
weak or shallow breathing;
feeling like you might pass out;
muscle twitching, tremor;
loss of bladder control; or
urinating less than usual or not at all.
Less serious Valium side effects may include:
drowsiness, tired feeling;
memory problems;
dizziness, spinning sensation;
feeling restless or irritable;
muscle weakness;
nausea, constipation;
drooling or dry mouth, slurred speech;
blurred vision, double vision;
mild skin rash, itching.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Before taking Valium, tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, other sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by Valium.
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
cimetidine (Tagamet);
omeprazole (Prilosec);
phenytoin (Dilantin);
an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), dalfopristin/quinupristin (Synercid), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, Pediazole), or telithromycin (Ketek);
an antidepressant such as fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem) or fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Symbyax), and others;
antifungal medicine such as itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Extina, Ketozole, Nizoral, Xolegal), miconazole (Oravig), or voriconazole (Vfend);
heart or blood pressure medication such as amlodipine (Norvasc, Caduet, Exforge, Lotrel, Tekamlo, Tribenzor, Twynsta), diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem), nicardipine (Cardene), quinidine (Quin-G), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan), and others; or
HIV/AIDS medicine such as atazanavir (Reyataz), delavirdine (Rescriptor), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), saquinavir (Invirase), or ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra).
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Valium. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
These reviews are from WebMD's homepage among other big internet sites:
Condition: Anxious, 12/10/2011 2:26:51 AM
Reviewer: Fortressofcomfort, 35-44 Male on Treatment for 2 to less than 5 years (Patient)
Comment: Great! I take 5-10mg a day usually a couple hours before bed. It allows me to unwind and relax and stops my mind from racing and wandering. Have taken for 2 yrs now with no side effects. It is also easy to stop taking (no withdrawal) but it stays in your system (and is detectable in urine) for a good 3 weeks. The only caveat is that if you abuse it (take too much) it will lead to depression, so stick to the lowest dose that works. It is also good for occasional insomnia at higher doses (10-15mg) but stops working for that after only a couple days of use. Summary: an effective ... 'chill pill' that is safe and easy to use. P.s. I have used Klonipim and Xanax before and actually prefer the Valium because it lasts longer and doesn't make me tired at the usual 5mg dose. …
Review by jk33: User Rating: 10
Valium (diazepam) for Muscle Spasm: This medicine has helped me very much. I get very bad spasms in my neck and shoulder. It helps 100% and I also have a much better time sleeping. It keeps my mind from wondering while I try to sleep. It also makes me feel more refreshed when I wake up. I have less mood swings. I used to pace back and fourth all day and it put a stop to that as well. It has improved my life very much.
Condition: Anxious, 11/23/2011 11:22:15 AM
Reviewer: mary, 65-74 Female on Treatment for 1 to less than 2 years (Patient)
Comment: it help me relax and takes all the anxious feeling away and i can continue to get through the day normally
Review by unlearnit: User Rating: 8.0
Valium (diazepam) for Alcohol Withdrawal: Valium has asissted me a lot in my recovery of alcoholism.
Condition: Anxious, 10/28/2011 3:33:54 PM
Reviewer: abq_brett, 35-44 Male on Treatment for 6 months to less than 1 year (Patient)
Comment: Valium is the BEST BZD anti-anxiety medication... At age 22, my doctor put me on Xanax 1mg TID for GAD & panic. It worked, sure- but I felt like I was always having to watch the clock to make sure I took my next dose before the previous one wore off. It got to the point where I would wake up to a panic attack, as the Xanax had worn off. I'm 35 now, and about six months ago, I mentioned trying a longer acting medication Valium to my new doctor- who thought it was a good idea, particularly since I needed a good muscle relaxer as well. I'm currently prescribed Valium 10mg TID (PRN) - and could not be happier. It's such a relief to be able to take one tablet in the morning and be "cool..." for the rest of the day. :) I've seen a few of you mention this and I have also found it to be true- when using the generic (diazepam) - well... not all generics are equal, especially with this drug. I've tried 4-5 different brands... ...
Review by Thank God: User Rating: 10
Valium (diazepam) for Night Terrors: I have been taking Valium for about 6 months now and I thank God every day. I have been put on many different medicines to help with pain, anxiety and very bad night terror's. This medicine has helped with all of these with few side effects. I hope this has been helpful to you. I know it has been for me.
Condition: Anxious, 5/25/2011 11:57:24 PM
Comment: HORRIBLE. COMPLETELY RUINED MY LIFE. IT DEVASTATED ME.
Review by X-Blade: User Rating: 9.0
Valium (diazepam): I have found this drug also acts as a muscle relaxant and aids in the pain relief efectiveness of Vicodin, oxycontin in 2.5-5mg Dose, reducing the frequency of increacing the dose of these pain relievers due to developing a tolerance to these narcotic drugs in long term chronic pain illnesses such as mine. This drug also reduceses the stress and fatigue associated with my illness anwould most likely work well for other long term chronic pain illnesses such as Fibromialgia.
Condition: Anxious, 9/25/2010 3:09:33 PM
Reviewer: LadyOwl, 35-44 Female on Treatment for 10 years or more (Patient)
Comment: As another reviewer wrote, I too have taken Valium 10mg/3xdaily, for about 10 years now, and I've yet to have any problems. I've taken Ativan, Klonopin, Xanax, all of them...Valium has worked the best for me, for it covers so much.
Review by Flcruisergal: User Rating: 6.0
Valium (diazepam) for Muscle Spasm: This is really a dual-medication review of 10. I have bad muscle spasms in response to pain from a lower back (L5) herniated disk that is also compressing nerves that pass down S1 area below, causing sciatica pain in the bum and upper legs. I was prescribed Valium to help alleviate the spasms generated by the pain, and it helped to about a rating of 6. Then I was prescribed Baclofen (Brand: Liorsal) in combination with the Valium and that has completely taken away the spasms. I take them 30 minutes before rising and the spasms are gone when I get up. The morning spasms are the worst, because of the turning you do in your sleep. I do not get drowsy, even with both, but I have a high tolerance to drowsy medicines. If spasms are your only pain, this may help.
Condition: Anxious, 8/10/2010 1:10:09 PM
Reviewer: Leese, Female on Treatment for 2 to less than 5 years (Patient)
Comment: wI was diagnosed with anxiety disorder about 9 years ago. The Doctor had me on xanax, which put me to sleep.Valium is only taken if i feel real uneasy and anxious. It relaxes my mind and nerves down comfortably and I don't feel tired.
Review by GoldenOldies: User Rating: 10
Valium (diazepam) for Endoscopy or Radiology Premedication: Valium helped relieve tension and anxiety prior to a endoscopic procedure and a colonoscopy. It caused no side-effects other then a slight amount of drowsiness.
Condition: Anxious, 6/28/2010 5:32:10 PM
Reviewer: alex, 35-44 Male on Treatment for 10 years or more (Patient)
Comment: i've beeen on valium for 23 years they still work as good as dayone
Condition: Anxious, 6/20/2009 10:37:45 AM
Reviewer: 25-34 Female on Treatment for less than 1 month (Patient)
Comment: i was extremely allergic to this med! had to go to er and get shots.
Review by Anonymous: User Rating: 9.0
Valium (diazepam) for Alcohol Withdrawal: I've been on and off diazepam a few times over the last 10 years. The latest is for alcohol withdrawal and it is an absolute God send. I haven't had a drop of alcohol since I got the latest prescription and my appetite has increased and I'm sleeping much better. I was prescribed 30mg a day and haven't needed the full dose most days.
Condition: Anxious, 11/12/2008 11:10:14 AM
Reviewer: stayaway, 25-34 Female on Treatment for less than 1 month (Patient)
Comment: Taken in advance of oral surgery. Blood pressure immediately skyrocketed. Dizzy, woozy, reduced vision, Caused a panic attack so severe I nearly had a heart attack.
Review by Dotomanydrugs: User Rating: 8.0
Valium (diazepam) for Seizure Prevention: Whenever a doctor prescribes me Valium it works [very good], but I don't have seizures too often. Maybe twice a year.
Review by Anonymous: User Rating: 10
Valium (diazepam) for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder: I had no idea I had TMJ but actually thought I was getting wisdom teeth because of the pain. I went to a dentist and he gave me Valium and Percocet. He told me to go to my doctor and have them prescribe more as he could not. My doctor thought I was crazy and drug seeking so I could not get anything and still suffering from TMJ. The Valium was very helpful for TMJ, more than anything else I have tried or the doctor has given me instead of Valium.
Review by pompey:
Valium (diazepam) for Alcohol Withdrawal: So far it has stopped the normal vomiting and shaking when I try to stop. I have also had an increased appetite.
Review by Anonymous: User Rating: 10
Valium (diazepam) for Meniere's Disease: This medication is a life saver for me. I have suffered with Meniere's Disease for 22 years which causes episodes of loss of equilibrium which can totally knock you flat or just make your life [very bad] for days at a time. The episodes are usually not predictable but seem to come to life every year or so. Short time use of valium is the only thing that helps so I can continue my normal activities until my ear settles down again.