• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info

What is this medicine?
DIAZEPAM (dye AZ e pam) is a benzodiazepine. It is used to treat anxiety and nervousness. It also can help treat alcohol withdrawal, relax muscles, and treat certain types of seizures.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. This pricing information was updated 10/2009. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit www.drugstore.com. Actual costs to patients will vary depending on the use of specific retail or mail-order locations and health insurance copays.

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What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• angry, confused, depressed, other mood changes
• breathing problems
• feeling faint or lightheaded, falls
• muscle cramps
• problems with balance, talking, walking
• restlessness
• tremors
• trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
• unusually weak or tired

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• difficulty sleeping, nightmares
• dizziness, drowsiness, clumsiness, or unsteadiness, a hangover effect
• headache
• nausea, vomiting

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How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. If this medicine upsets your stomach, take it with food or milk. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. If you have been taking this medicine regularly for some time, do not suddenly stop taking it. You must gradually reduce the dose or you may get severe side effects. Ask your doctor or health care professional for advice. Even after you stop taking this medicine it can still affect your body for several days.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

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What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

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What may interact with this medicine?

• cimetidine
• grapefruit juice
• herbal or dietary supplements like kava kava, melatonin, St. John's Wort, or valerian
• medicines for anxiety or sleeping problems, like alprazolam, lorazepam, or triazolam
• medicines for depression, mental problems or psychiatric disturbances
• medicines for HIV infection or AIDS
• prescription pain medicines
• rifampin, rifapentine, or rifabutin
• some medicines for seizures like carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, or primidone

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Known hypersensitivity to diazepam or any ingredient in the formulation.
• Manufacturers state that diazepam is contraindicated in patients with acute angle-closure glaucoma, but may be administered to patients with open-angle glaucoma who are receiving appropriate therapy; however, clinical rationale for this contraindication has been questioned.

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What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Your body can become dependent on this medicine. Ask your doctor or health care professional if you still need to take it.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy and fainting spells, do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol may increase dizziness and drowsiness. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds or allergies without asking your doctor or health care professional for advice. Some ingredients can increase possible side effects.

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What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions

• an alcohol or drug abuse problem
• bipolar disorder, depression, psychosis or other mental health condition
• glaucoma
• kidney or liver disease
• lung or breathing disease
• myasthenia gravis
• Parkinson's disease
• seizures or a history of seizures
• suicidal thoughts
• an unusual or allergic reaction to diazepam, other benzodiazepines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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