Valium (Diazepam)
Diazepam- Half Life: 20-100 hours; Schedule IV Drug
Valium (Diazepam) is a prescription medication used in the treatment of anxiety disorders and for short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety. Diazepam is in a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines. It works by slowing down the central nervous system. Diazepam affects the chemicals in the brain that may become unbalanced and cause anxiety, seizures, and muscle spasms. Diazepam is also used to relieve the symptoms of acute alcohol withdrawal, as well as act as a muscle relaxant.
Diazepam was the second benzodiazepine to be invented by Sternbach of Hoffman-La Roche, and was approved for use in 1963. Diazepam is two and a half times more potent than its predecessor “chlordiazepoxide”, which it also surpassed in sales. Diazepam is classified as a “classical” benzodiazepine similar to; clonazepam, lorazepam, oxazepam, nitrazepam, flurazepam, bromazepam and clorazepate.
Diazepam can be administered orally, intravenously, intramuscularly, or via suppository. When Diazepam is taken orally, it has a fast onset of action– which is around 30 minutes, but can range up to 2 hours. When Diazepam is administered via IV (intravenously), the onset of action is 1-5 minutes, and IM (intramuscularly) is at 15-30 minutes. The duration of Diazepam’s peak pharmacological effects is in between 15 minutes and 1 hour for both IV and IM. As a matter of fact– when Diazepam is administered as an intramuscular injection, the absorbtion is slow, erratic and imcomplete, so Diazepam is mainly used via IV or orally.
Like all drugs, Diazepam is potentially habit-forming and is listed as a Schedule IV drug of the United States’ Controlled Substances Act. Do not stop taking Diazepam without consulting your doctor first as the potential for withdrawal symptoms can occur if too much of the drug is taken, or if the drug is taken for too long.
Side effects of Diazepam cannot be anticipated, but if any develop or change in intensity, be sure to inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine whether or not it is safe to continue taking Diazepam. Side effects are as followed:
Drowsiness; tiredness; blurred vision; insomnia; muscle weakness; lack of balance or coordination; slurred speech; nausea; vomiting; constipation; headache; drooling; skin rash; loss interest in sex
If any of these more serious side effects are experienced, be sure to contact your doctor as soon as possible:
Confusion; unusual thoughts or behavior; unusual risk-taking behavior; decreased inhibitions; no fear of danger; depression; thoughts of suicide or harming yourself; agitation; hyperactivity; hostility; hallucinations; lightheadesness; fainting; tremor; muscle twitching; fever; chills; body aches; flu symptoms; jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); urinary retention
Since Diazepam depresses the Central Nervous System much like alcohol does, your body can develop a tolerance to the drug based on how much of the drug you take and\or how long it has been taken. Diazepam is both physically and psychologically addicting and is considered one of the toughest addictions to break, as with most benzodiazepines. With chronic use, abuse potential is high and withdrawal symptoms can develop after only 2 or 3 days of repeated use. Be sure to talk to your doctor when stopping Diazepam, as you’ll need to be slowly tapered off of the drug. Abruptly discontinuing Diazepam after an extended period of use is extremely dangerous and can cause seizures and possible death.
If one begins to experience withdrawal symptoms, contact a doctor immediately. Symptoms of withdrawal are as followed:
Severe anxiety; rapid heartbeat; tremor; insomnia; irritability; sweating; anxiety; blurred vision; decreased concentration; decreased mental clarity; severe diarrhea; heightened awareness of noise or bright lights; impaired sense of smell; loss of appetite; weight loss; muscle cramps; seizures; tingling sensation; agitation; convulsions
The severity of withdrawal from Diazepam depends on how much of the drug was taken and for how long it was taken for. Diazepam withdrawal can last between one week up to six weeks, depending on how much in is your system. It has been proven that for every year a person is on Diazepam, they will experience one week of acute withdrawal symptoms. Of course this depends on the person’s health, their state of mind, etc. Even though acute withdrawal might be over with, there have been people who have still felt minor discomfort at random times months, and even years later. The symptoms won’t be nearly as bad as the acute symptoms, but it can take a while before one has control of their entire life again.
Overall, Diazepam is an excellent drug to take for the symptoms of anxiety– it’s just important that the dosage is monitored by a doctor, and that it isn’t abused.
