diazepam

Brand names: Diazepam

# Diazepam: What You Should Know Diazepam is a medication that doctors prescribe to help people feel calm and relaxed. It's used to treat anxiety, muscle tension, and seizures. The drug works by slowing down activity in the brain and nervous system, which helps reduce worry and makes tight muscles relax. Some people also take it to help them sleep or to manage symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. While diazepam can be very helpful, it should only be used exactly as a doctor prescribes because it can become habit-forming if you take it for too long or use more than directed. There are several important safety rules to follow when taking diazepam. Never mix this medicine with opioid painkillers or alcohol, as this combination can be very dangerous and make it hard to breathe. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you take, especially those that make you drowsy. Don't drive or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you, since it can make you dizzy and sleepy. If you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or elderly, talk to your doctor before taking diazepam, as it may affect your baby or cause extra side effects. Always take this medicine exactly as prescribed and don't suddenly stop taking it without talking to your doctor first.

Known Interactions

Drug Interactions Opioids The concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids increases the risk of respiratory depression because of actions at different receptor sites in the CNS that control respiration. Benzodiazepines interact at GABA A sites and opioids interact primarily at mu receptors. When benzodiazepines and opioids are combined, the potential for benzodiazepines to significantly worsen opioid-related respiratory depression exists. Limit dosage and duration of concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids, and monitor patients closely for respiratory depression and sedation. Centrally Acting Agents If diazepam tablets are to be combined with other centrally acting agents, careful consideration should be given to the pharmacology of the agents employed particularly with compounds that may potentiate or be potentiated by the action of diazepam tablets, such as phenothiazines, antipsychotics, anxiolytics/sedatives, hypnotics, anticonvulsants, narcotic analgesics, anesthetics, s

Source: FDA-approved drug labeling via openFDA

Most Reported Side Effects (FAERS)

  • TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS9,167 reports
  • DRUG INEFFECTIVE7,078 reports
  • DRUG ABUSE7,019 reports
  • NAUSEA6,147 reports
  • FATIGUE5,715 reports
  • PAIN5,208 reports
  • ANXIETY4,987 reports
  • HEADACHE4,969 reports
  • SOMNOLENCE4,900 reports
  • OFF LABEL USE4,564 reports

Source: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Voluntary reports do not establish causation.

Check interactions with diazepam:

SafeCheck provides drug interaction information from FDA-approved product labeling (openFDA). This is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making medication decisions.