Many of the benzodiazepines are used in the treatment of other conditions,
also. Diazepam is used to help relax muscles or
relieve muscle spasm. Diazepam injection is used
before some medical procedures to relieve anxiety and to reduce memory of the
procedure. Chlordiazepoxide, clorazepate, diazepam, and oxazepam are used to
treat the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Alprazolam and clonazepam are used in
the treatment of panic disorder. Clobazam, clonazepam, clorazepate, diazepam,
and lorazepam are used in the treatment of certain convulsive (seizure)
disorders, such as epilepsy. The benzodiazepines may also be used for other
conditions as determined by your doctor.
Diazepam may be habit-forming (causing mental
or physical dependence), especially when taken for a long time or in high doses.
Special precautions
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be
weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will
make. For Diazepam , the following should be
considered:
Allergies? tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual
or allergic reaction to Diazepam . Also tell your
health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as
foods, preservatives, or dyes. Certain Diazepam products
may contain lactose, parabens, or soybean oil.
Pregnancy? Chlordiazepoxide and Diazepam have
been reported to increase the chance of birth defects when used during the first
3 months of pregnancy. Although similar problems have not been reported with the
other benzodiazepines, the chance always exists since all of the benzodiazepines
are related.
Too much use of benzodiazepines during pregnancy may cause the baby to become
dependent on the medicine. This may lead to withdrawal side effects after birth.
Also, use of Diazepam during pregnancy, especially
during the last weeks, may cause body temperature problems, breathing problems,
difficulty in feeding, drowsiness, or muscle weakness in the newborn infant.
Diazepam given just before or during labor may
cause weakness in the newborn infant. When diazepam is given in high doses
(especially by injection) within 15 hours before delivery, it may cause
breathing problems, muscle weakness, difficulty in feeding, and body temperature
problems in the newborn infant.
Breast-feeding? Diazepam may pass into the breast
milk and cause drowsiness, difficulty in feeding, and weight loss in nursing
babies of mothers taking these medicines.
Children? Most of the side effects of these medicines are
more likely to occur in children, especially the very young. These patients are
usually more sensitive than adults to the effects of Diazepam .
Older adults? Most of the side effects of these medicines
are more likely to occur in the elderly, who are usually more sensitive to the
effects of Diazepam .
Other medicines? although certain medicines should not be
used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used
together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may
want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary.
Other medical problems? the presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of Diazepam . Make sure
you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Alcohol abuse (or history of) or
- Drug abuse or dependence (or history of)?Dependence on Diazepam
may be more likely to develop
- Brain disease?CNS depression and other side effects of Diazepam
may be more likely to occur
- Difficulty in swallowing (in children) or
- Emphysema, asthma, bronchitis, or other chronic lung disease or
- Hyperactivity or
- Mental depression or
- Mental illness (severe) or
- Myasthenia gravis or
- Porphyria or
- Sleep apnea (temporary stopping of breathing during sleep)? Diazepam
may make these conditions worse
- Epilepsy or history of seizures?Although Diazepam are
used in treating epilepsy, starting or suddenly stopping treatment with
these medicines may increase seizures
- Glaucoma, acute narrow angle? Diazepam should
NOT be used if you have this condition.
- Glaucoma, open angle? Diazepam can be used but
your doctor should be monitoring your condition carefully.
- Kidney or liver disease?Higher blood levels of Diazepam may
result, increasing the chance that side effects will occur
Side effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects.
Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need
medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side
effects occur:
Less common
-
- Anxiety; confusion (may be more common in the elderly);
fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat ; lack of memory of events
taking place after benzodiazepine is taken (may be more common with
triazolam); mental depression
Rare
-
- Abnormal thinking, including disorientation, delusions (holding false
beliefs that cannot be changed by facts), or loss of sense of reality ;
agitation; behavior changes, including aggressive behavior,
bizarre behavior, decreased inhibition, or outbursts of anger;
convulsions (seizures); hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or
feeling things that are not there); hypotension (low blood
pressure); muscle weakness; skin rash or itching ;
sore throat, fever, and chills; trouble in sleeping; ulcers
or sores in mouth or throat (continuing); uncontrolled movements
of body, including the eyes; unusual bleeding or bruising ;
unusual excitement, nervousness, or irritability ; unusual
tiredness or weakness (severe); yellow eyes or skin
Symptoms of overdose
-
- Confusion (continuing); convulsions (seizures); drowsiness
(severe) or coma; shakiness; slow heartbeat; slow
reflexes; slurred speech (continuing) ; staggering;
troubled breathing ; weakness (severe)
After you stop using this medicine, your body may need time to adjust. During
this time, check with your doctor if you notice any of the following side
effects:
More common
-
- Irritability; nervousness; trouble in sleeping
Less common
-
- Abdominal or stomach cramps; confusion ; fast or pounding
heartbeat; increased sense of hearing; increased sensitivity
to touch and pain; increased sweating; loss of sense of
reality; mental depression ; muscle cramps; nausea or
vomiting; sensitivity of eyes to light; tingling, burning,
or prickly sensations; trembling or shaking
Rare
-
- Confusion as to time, place, or person; convulsions (seizures);
feelings of suspicion or distrust; hallucinations (seeing,
hearing, or feeling things that are not there)
Other than the above information, there is no additional information relating
to proper use, precautions, or side effects for these uses.
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Do not let anyone else take your medication.