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AHFS Consumer Medication Information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): American Society of Health-System Pharmacists; 2000-2011.

AHFS Consumer Medication Information.

Diazepam(dye az' e pam)

Last reviewed: October 1, 2010.

Why is this medication prescribed?

Diazepam is used to relieve anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures and to control agitation caused by alcohol withdrawal.

How should this medicine be used?

Diazepam comes as a tablet, extended-release (long-acting) capsule, and concentrate (liquid) to take by mouth. Do not open, chew, or crush the extended-release capsules; swallow them whole. It is usually taken 1-4 times a day and may be taken with or without food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take diazepam exactly as directed.

Diazepam concentrate (liquid) comes with a specially marked dropper for measuring the dose. Ask your pharmacist to show you how to use the dropper. Dilute the concentrate in water, juice, or carbonated beverages just before taking it. It also may be mixed with applesauce or pudding just before taking the dose.

Diazepam can be habit-forming. Do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or for a longer time than your doctor tells you to. Tolerance may develop with long-term or excessive use, making the drug less effective. This medication must be taken regularly to be effective. Do not skip doses even if you feel that you do not need them. Do not take diazepam for more than 4 months or stop taking this medication without talking to your doctor. Stopping the drug suddenly can worsen your condition and cause withdrawal symptoms (anxiousness, sleeplessness, and irritability). Your doctor probably will decrease your dose gradually.

Other uses for this medicine

Diazepam is also used to treat irritable bowel syndrome and panic attacks. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking diazepam,

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to diazepam, alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium, Librax), clonazepam (Klonopin), clorazepate (Tranxene), estazolam (ProSom), flurazepam (Dalmane), lorazepam (Ativan), oxazepam (Serax), prazepam (Centrax), temazepam (Restoril), triazolam (Halcion), or any other drugs.

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially antihistamines; cimetidine (Tagamet); digoxin (Lanoxin); disulfiram (Antabuse); fluoxetine (Prozac); isoniazid (INH, Laniazid, Nydrazid); ketoconazole (Nizoral); levodopa (Larodopa, Sinemet); medications for depression, seizures, pain, Parkinson's disease, asthma, colds, or allergies; metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL); muscle relaxants; oral contraceptives; probenecid (Benemid); propoxyphene (Darvon); propranolol (Inderal); ranitidine (Zantac); rifampin (Rifadin); sedatives; sleeping pills; theophylline (Theo-Dur); tranquilizers; valproic acid (Depakene); and vitamins. These medications may add to the drowsiness caused by diazepam.

  • if you use antacids, take diazepam first, then wait 1 hour before taking the antacid.

  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had glaucoma; seizures; or lung, heart, or liver disease.

  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking diazepam, call your doctor immediately.

  • talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking diazepam if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults should not usually take diazepam because it is not as safe as other medications that can be used to treat the same conditions.

  • if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking diazepam.

  • you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.

  • remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.

  • tell your doctor if you use tobacco products. Cigarette smoking may decrease the effectiveness of this drug.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

If you take several doses per day and miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Side effects from diazepam are common and include the following:

  • drowsiness

  • dizziness

  • tiredness

  • weakness

  • dry mouth

  • diarrhea

  • nausea

  • changes in appetite

Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • restlessness or excitement

  • constipation

  • difficulty urinating

  • frequent urination

  • blurred vision

  • changes in sex drive or ability

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

  • seizures

  • shuffling walk

  • persistent, fine tremor or inability to sit still

  • fever

  • difficulty breathing or swallowing

  • severe skin rash

  • yellowing of the skin or eyes

  • irregular heartbeat

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to diazepam.

Diazepam can cause false results in urine tests for sugar using Clinistix and Diastix. Diabetic patients should use TesTape to test their urine for sugar.

If you are taking diazepam to control seizures and have an increase in their frequency or severity, call your doctor. Your dose may need to be adjusted. If you use diazepam for seizures, carry identification (Medic Alert) stating that you have epilepsy and that you are taking diazepam.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.

AHFS® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, 2011. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.

The following brand names are from RxNorm, a standardized nomenclature for clinical drugs produced by the National Library of Medicine:

Brand names

  • Valium

  • Valrelease

What works?

  • Diazepam for treating tetanus Diazepam for treating tetanus
    Tetanus is a disease caused by bacteria (Clostridium tetani) found in soil and faeces. It can be immunised against but continues to kill children and adults. Newborn infants are the most vulnerable, particularly in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nigeria and Pakistan, mainly because of unhygienic umbilical cord practices. Puncture wounds, burns, multiple ear piercing, tattooing and circumcision (male and female) can also cause tetanus infection. The symptoms include a sudden onset of muscle stiffness and spasms (involuntary contractions) in the neck, jaw and back, sufficient to cause rigid arching of the back. Glottal and laryngeal spasms may result in fluid being sucked into the breathing passages (aspiration) or inability to breathe (asphyxiation). These spasms progress over two weeks and recovery then takes some four weeks. Complications of the disease or its treatment include depressed breathing, extrapyramidal signs that mimic the tetanus spasms and rigidity, body (autonomic) dysfunction and pneumonia. Supportive nursing, nutritional support and physiotherapy are important. Mechanical ventilation is rarely available in resource poor countries to treat total paralysis. Drugs are needed to reducing the muscle spasms and rigidity, antibiotics to kill the bacteria and tetanus immunoglobulin to remove the toxins in the body. Diazepam has anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant, sedative and anxiety reducing effects. Diazepam treatment was associated with fewer deaths than was treatment with a combination of phenobarbitone and chlorpromazine. Combination treatments with diazepam did not give any further benefit (and may cause harm). The review authors searched the medical literature and identified two randomised controlled trials with a total of 134 hospitalized neonates and older children who had tetanus from Nigeria (19 neonates, seven children aged between one month and 10 years of age) and Indonesia (74 neonates, 34 children aged between three days and 12 years). All drugs were given orally as medications and feeds are usually given via nasogastric tube in the settings where the disease burden is high. Neither study provided information on the safety of the interventions or followed up survivors beyond discharge from hospital.
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Conditions of interest

  • Alcohol withdrawal
    Alcohol withdrawal refers to symptoms that may occur when a person who has been drinking too much alcohol every day suddenly stops drinking alcohol.
  • Delirium
    Delirium is sudden severe confusion and rapid changes in brain function that occur with physical or mental illness.
  • Marijuana intoxication
    Marijuana ("pot") intoxication is the euphoria, relaxation, and sometimes undesirable side effects that can occur when people use marijuana.
  • Meniere’s disease
    Meniere's disease is an inner ear disorder that affects balance and hearing.
  • Tetanus
    Tetanus is infection of the nervous system with the potentially deadly bacteria Clostridium tetani (C. tetani).
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