Understanding Diazepam (Valium)
Diazepam is a major benzodiazepine. It is often sold under the brand known as Valium! It is not meant for long-term use. This medication is also a controlled substance! Patients need to make a plan with their doctor on how to manage their symptoms without this medication. They also need to develop a plan for stopping their use of diazepam, as it also has withdrawal symptoms!
It is worth noting that diazepam is an extremely effective short-term medication for muscle spasms. It is also a great temporary anxiety medication! Emergency detox center patients take this medication to handle substance withdrawal symptoms. Doctors also prescribe this medication with other epilepsy treatments! It is a powerful seizure medication when used in this manner. Of course, patients need to understand how it works first!
How It Works
Diazepam is a powerful sedative. It works quite similarly to others in its medication class to treat anxiety and muscle conditions. This medication slows various functions in the patient's body! Slower functions reduce symptoms of panic. It also helps alleviate the brain activity that triggers muscle spasms!
This medication treats epilepsy as well. When this is the case, it regulates electrical activity in the brain. This stops electrical pulses from flooding the brain and triggering seizures! Diazepam also increases GABA, a calming chemical, in the brain. This stops the brain from acting too strong in the areas that are responsible for rational thought and memory. It also lessens the strength of a patient's emotions! Thus, patients feel sedated on this medication.
Continue reading to discover the significant uses for this medication next!
Uses
Diazepam is an amazing medication for many conditions, including seizures, anxiety, and muscle spasms! Doctors also use it to sedate patients before performing many medical procedures. This medication is very common when patients are not under general anesthesia! Anxiety disorder patients benefit from its calming effects. It also treats the physical signs of a panic or anxiety attack! This medication halts many intense thought spirals, which is vital, as patients find it hard to do so themselves. This makes it particularly effective at treating obsessive-compulsive disorder! This medication is also approved to treat symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
Patients are prescribed this medication on a short-term basis! However, patients must use this time to develop the coping mechanisms they need. Doctors will also move them to long-term medication without the same side effects.
Uncover the full side effects of this medication next!
Side Effects
Patients who take this medication at a low dose on a short-term basis face only mild side effects! Individuals who misuse this medication, however, deal with severe side effects. Hives and throat swelling, two symptoms of an allergic reaction, require immediate treatment! This medication also has breathing issues as a side effect. This is due to its effects on the patient's brain! Serious breathing side effects include long pauses between breaths, blue lips, and patients who are difficult to wake up. All of them are medical emergencies! Patients should also call their doctor immediately if they experience mood shifts, drowsiness, and suicidal thoughts. Mood issues on this medication include increased agitation and anxiety. The same protocol applies to the development of new seizures!
Older adults must watch out for other side effects as well. The sedation from this medication lasts longer for them! They are also at a higher risk of falls. This is because the drug increases drowsiness and muscle weakness. Coordination loss is another side effect that increases the risk of falls in seniors.
Learn about the precautions associated with this medication next.
Precautions
Diazepam is not a long-term medication. Patients will build a tolerance, even if they only take it sporadically! It also has a risk of misuse and reliance. However, it is the physical effect on the brain that is the issue with this medication. This applies to all patients, including those who are not predisposed to addiction. Patients cannot prevent themselves from becoming physically dependent on this medication if they take it too long!
As mentioned, this medication increases GABA levels in the brain. Thus, the patient's brain will stop producing as much of this chemical on its own! The result is that patients need to talk to their doctor about stopping this medication. There is a long process linked to this, as sudden stops will trigger significant withdrawal! Patients must also avoid drinking alcohol when taking this medication. The combination increases the risk of impaired breathing, and this is often fatal!
Get information on the medication interactions next!
Medication Interactions
Diazepam interacts with many medications! Thus, patients must list all medications that they take. Their doctor needs to have this list! Patients need to include the supplements, vitamins, and over-the-counter drugs they take in addition to all prescriptions. Examples of the medications that diazepam interacts with include opioids, sodium oxybate, hydrocodone, and many stimulants. Opioids cause breathing issues, just like alcohol! The interaction with sodium oxybate is life-threatening.
Patients cannot take St. John's Wort alongside this medication either, due to the interaction it causes! Herbal remedies for insomnia and anxiety also interact with diazepam. One example is valerian root! However, these are not the only interactions. Thus, as mentioned, patients need to tell their doctor about everything they take!