DIAZEPAM

(dye AZ e pam) Brand: Valium

What is the most significant information I must know about diazepam?

• You must not use this medicine if you are allergic to diazepam or similar medicines (Ativan, Klonopin, Restoril, Xanax, and others), or if you have myasthenia gravis, severe liver malady, narrow-angle glaucoma, a severe breathing problem, or sleep apnea.

• Do not give this medicine to a baby younger than 6 months old.

What is diazepam?

• Diazepam is a benzodiazepine (ben-zoe-dye-AZE-eh-peens). Diazepam affects chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and reason anxiety.

• Diazepam is used to treat anxiety disorders, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, or muscle spasms. Diazepam is sometimes used with another medications to treat seizures.

• Diazepam may also be used for purposes not listed in this medicine guide.

What must I discuss with my healthcare provider till taking diazepam?

• You must not use this medicine if you are allergic to diazepam or similar drugs (Ativan, Klonopin, Restoril, Xanax, and others), or if you have:

· myasthenia gravis (a muscle weakness disorder);

· severe liver disease;

· narrow-angle glaucoma;

· a severe breathing problem; or

· sleep apnea (breathing stops during sleep).

• To create certain diazepam is safety for you, speak your doctor if you have any of these conditions:

· open-angle glaucoma;

· asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary mess (COPD), or another breathing problems;

· kidney or liver disease;

· epilepsy or another seizure disorder;

· a history of mental diseases, depression, or suicidal thoughts or behavior; or

· a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

• Diazepam may be habit forming. Never share diazepam with other face, especially somebody with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Hold the medicine in a seat where others can't get to it.

• FDA pregnancy category D. If you take diazepam for anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, or muscle spasms, do not use this medication if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn child. Use effective birth control, and speak your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Diazepam may reason low blood pressure, breathing problems, or addiction and withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother takes the medicine during pregnancy.

• If you take diazepam for seizures, do not start or stop taking diazepam during pregnancy without your doctor's advice. Diazepam may reason harm to an unborn child, but having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both the mother and the child. Speak your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking diazepam for seizures.

• Diazepam can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing child. You must not breast-feed while using this medicine.

• Do not give this medicine to a baby younger than 6 months old.

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

How must I take diazepam?

• Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your doze to create certain you get the excellent results. Do not take this medication in larger or less amounts or for longer than recommended.

• Measure liquid medication with a particular dose-measuring spoon or medication cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

• Diazepam must be used for only a short time. Do not take this medicine for longer than 12 weeks (3 months) without your doctor's advice.

• Do not stop using diazepam suddenly, or you could have heighten seizures or unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using diazepam.

• Call your doctor at once if you feel that this medication is not working as well as normal, or if you think you need to use more than normal.

• While using diazepam, you may need frequent blood trials at your doctor's office.

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

• Hold track of the amount of medication used from every new bottle. Diazepam is a drug of abuse and you must be aware if anyone is using your medication improperly or without a prescription.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Take the missed doze as soon as you remember. Skip the missed doze if it is nearly time for your following scheduled doze. Do not take extra medication to create up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

• Search abnormal medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of diazepam can be fatal.

• Overdose symptoms may include extreme drowsiness, loss of balance or coordination, limp or weak muscles, or fainting.

What must I avoid while taking diazepam?

• This medicine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

• Do not drink alcohol while taking diazepam. This medicine can magnify the effects of alcohol.

• Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with diazepam and lead to unwanted side effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit commodity with your doctor.

What are the possible side effects of diazepam?

• Get abnormal medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your person, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Call your doctor at once if you have:

· confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior;

· unusual risk-taking behavior, decreased inhibitions, no fear of danger;

· depressed mood, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;

· hyperactivity, agitation, aggression, hostility;

· new or worsening seizures;

· weak or shallow breathing, a feeling like you might pass out;

· muscle twitching, tremor;

· loss of bladder control; or

· few or no urinating.

• General side effects may include:

· drowsiness, weary feeling, memory problems;

· dizziness, spinning sensation;

· feeling restless or irritable;

· muscle weakness;

· nausea, constipation;

· drooling or dry mouth, slurred speech;

· blurred vision, double vision;

· mild skin rash, itching; or

· loss of interest in sex.

• This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What another drugs will affect diazepam?

• Taking diazepam with another drugs that create you sleepy or slow your breathing can reason dangerous or life-threatening side effects. Ask your doctor till taking diazepam with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medication, muscle relaxer, or medication for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

• Speak your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with diazepam, especially:

· cimetidine;

· omeprazole;

· phenytoin;

· an antibiotic--clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin;

· an antidepressant such as fluoxetine, fluoxetine, and others;

· antifungal medicine--itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole;

· heart or blood pressure medicine such as diltiazem, nicardipine, quinidine, verapamil, and others; or

· HIV/AIDS medicine--atazanavir, delavirdine, fosamprenavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir, or ritonavir.

• This list is not complete. Another drugs may interact with diazepam, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal commodity. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medicine manual.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about diazepam.

Remember, hold this and all another medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.

Disclaim: Each effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses external of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way must be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safety, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the help of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.