Generic Name: diazepam (dye-AZ-e-pam)

Brand Names: Valium®

Classification: Benzodiazepines (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peens)

Issue Date: 1977

Valium is in a group of drugs called benzodiazepines (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peens). Valium 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.

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to Valium or to other benzodiazepines, such as:

• alprazolam (Xanax®)
• chlordiazepoxide (Librium®)
• clorazepate (Tranxene®)
• lorazepam (Ativan®)
• oxazepam (Serax®)

This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use Valium if you are pregnant.

Before taking Valium, tell your doctor if you have:

• breathing problems
• glaucoma
• kidney or liver disease
• a history of depression, suicidal thoughts
• addiction to drugs or alcohol

Do not drink alcohol while taking Valium. This medication can increase the effects of alcohol.

Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy. They can add to sleepiness caused by Valium.

Valium may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Valium should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Do not crush, chew, break, or open an extended-release capsule. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking or opening the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

Measure the liquid form of Valium with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Valium should be used for only a short time. Do not take this medication for longer than 4 months without your doctor's advice.

Valium may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Valium should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug

Contact your doctor if this medicine seems to stop working as well in treating your symptoms.

Do not stop using Valium suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.

Your symptoms may return when you stop using Valium after using it over a long period of time. You may also have seizures or withdrawal symptoms when you stop using Valium. Withdrawal symptoms may include:

• tremor
• sweating
• trouble sleeping
• muscle cramps
• stomach pain
• vomiting
• unusual thoughts or behavior
• seizure (convulsions)

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood and liver function may need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Store Valium at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Keep track of how many pills have been used from each new bottle of this medicine. Benzodiazepines are drugs of abuse and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or without a prescription.

Do not use this medication if you have narrow-angle glaucoma or if you are allergic to Valium or to other benzodiazepines, such as:

• alprazolam (Xanax®)
• chlordiazepoxide (Librium®)
• clorazepate (Tranxene®)
• lorazepam (Ativan®)
• oxazepam (Serax®)

Before taking Valium, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• glaucoma
• asthma
• emphysema
• bronchitis
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), or other breathing problems
• kidney or liver disease
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder
• history of depression or suicidal thoughts or behavior
• history of drug or alcohol addiction

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Valium, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

Valium can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use Valium without your doctor's consent if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication.

Valium may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

The sedative effects of Valium may last longer in older adults. Accidental falls are common in elderly patients who take benzodiazepines. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental injury while you are taking Valium.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 6 months old.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of Valium can be fatal. Symptoms of a Valium overdose may include:

• extreme drowsiness
• confusion
• muscle weakness
• fainting
• coma

Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction:

• hives
• difficulty breathing
• swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior
• unusual risk-taking behavior, decreased inhibitions, no fear of danger
• depressed mood, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself
• hyperactivity, agitation, hostility
• hallucinations
• feeling light-headed, fainting
• muscle twitching, tremor
• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• urinating less than usual or not at all

Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• drowsiness, tiredness
• blurred vision
• sleep problems (insomnia)
• muscle weakness, lack of balance or coordination
• slurred speech
• nausea, vomiting, constipation
• headache
• drooling
• skin rash
• loss of interest in sex

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Before taking Valium, tell your doctor if you take any other seizure medications, or if you are using any of the following drugs:

• cimetidine (Tagamet®)
• amobarbital (Amytal®)
• butabarbital (Butisol®)
• mephobarbital (Mebaral®)
• secobarbital (Seconal®)
• phenobarbital (Luminal®, Solfoton®)
• isocarboxazid (Marplan®)
• phenelzine (Nardil®)
• rasagiline (Azilect®)
• selegiline (Eldepryl®, Emsam®)
• tranylcypromine (Parnate®)
• chlorpromazine (Thorazine®)
• haloperidol (Haldol®)
• mesoridazine (Serentil®)
• pimozide (Orap®)
• thioridazine (Mellaril®)
• butorphanol (Stadol®)
• codeine
• hydrocodone (Loratab®, Vicodin®)
• levorphanol (Levo-Dromoran®)
• meperidine (Demerol®)
• methadone (Dolophine®, Methadose®)
• morphine (Kadian®, MS Contin®, Oramorph®)
• naloxone (Narcan®)
• oxycodone (OxyContin®)
• propoxyphene (Darvon®, Darvocet®)
• amitriptyline (Elavil®, Etrafon®)
• amoxapine (Ascendin®)
• citalopram (Celexa®)
• clomipramine (Anafranil®)
• desipramine (Norpramin®)
• doxepin (Sinequan®)
• escitalopram (Lexapro®)
• fluoxetine (Prozac®, Sarafem®)
• fluvoxamine (Luvox®)
• imipramine (Janimin®e, Tofranil®)
• nortriptyline (Pamelor®)
• paroxetine (Paxil®)
• protriptyline (Vivactil®)
• sertraline (Zoloft®)
• trimipramine (Surmontil®)

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use Valium, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect Valium. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.