Search for articles or Rx savings
Key takeaways
There is a generic version of Valium, diazepam, available since 1985.
Valium and diazepam have the same active ingredient, risks, and warnings
Generic diazepam costs about 96% less than brand-name Valium.
Valium (diazepam) is a brand-name prescription medication known for its use in the short-term relief of anxiety symptoms. It’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to manage anxiety, to treat symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, for relief of muscle spasm, and as an anticonvulsant when used in combination with other medications. Brand-name Valium can be expensive without insurance, but there is a generic alternative: diazepam.
Valium generic availability |
|
|---|---|
| Generic name | Diazepam |
| FDA approval year of generic version | 1985 |
| Approved for |
|
| Is there a generic available for sale in the U.S.? | Yes |
What are Valium and diazepam used for?
Valium and diazepam are in the benzodiazepine group of medications. Benzodiazepines are used for anxiety, helping with sleep, as a muscle relaxant, and in epilepsy for seizures. Valium and diazepam are FDA-approved to treat the same conditions, which include:
- Symptoms of anxiety
- Short-term relief of alcohol withdrawal symptoms
- Relief of muscle spasms
- Treatment of seizures in addition to other medications
“We utilize diazepam to treat muscle spasms,” says Raphael Akobundu, FNP, nurse practitioner and founder of Huddle Men’s Health in Bellevue, Washington. “Muscle spasms are often caused by injuries to the back or by neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy that cause chronic muscle tension,” he explains.
Healthcare professionals may also consider diazepam for other conditions when the benefits outweigh the risks, says Jaime Waarbroek, PMHNP, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner at Neuro Wellness Spa in Pasadena, California. “Off-label uses include [intensive care unit (ICU)] sedation, short-term spasticity relief in children with cerebral palsy, insomnia, acute mania or psychosis, catatonia, preoperative anxiety, and refractory epilepsy,” she says.
What’s the difference between Valium and diazepam?
Valium and diazepam are very similar drugs. They have the same active ingredient, the same dosages, and the same side effects and risks. “I have had many patients express concern about whether cheaper generic drugs produce the same results as brand-name treatments. However, the FDA has rules in place to ensure that all generic medications deliver the same amount of drug into the bloodstream at the same time. This is known as bioequivalence,” explains Jason Schroder, DO, Medical Director and Co-Founder of Craft Body Scan in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
There are, however, some differences in the drugs’ appearance, inactive ingredients, and cost.
Appearance
Brand-name Valium tablets made by Roche Laboratories Inc. are round in shape and can be white, yellow, or blue depending on the dosage. “Branded Valium is famous for its ‘V’ cutout in the center of the tablet,” Akobundu says.
Generic diazepam tablets are also round, but their appearance varies by drug manufacturer. Generic diazepam tablets can be yellow, blue, white, orange, or green, and can have imprints of their dosage and/or manufacturer on them.
Dosage and forms
Valium and diazepam are available as oral tablets in doses of 2 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg.
Generic diazepam can also be found as an oral solution and injectable solution, as well as a rectal gel for use in epilepsy. Under other brand names, Diazepam Intensol is an oral solution, and Valtoco is a nasal spray diazepam product.
Most generic diazepam formulations have the same inactive ingredients as brand-name Valium, except for the food coloring, but the differences in inactive ingredients can vary by drug manufacturer. Though the differences in inactive ingredients can be minimal, they can still be important. “I think it’s also important to note that your body may react to small amounts of the new inactive ingredients found in generic medications, such as dyes or starches. The potential side effects of these ingredients are rare, but a minority of people who are sensitive may experience mild to moderate side effects such as nausea or rashes on the skin. To minimize this risk, I recommend speaking with your pharmacist to find out which generic manufacturer is being used in order to maintain consistency between refills to keep your recovery process on track,” Dr. Schroder says.
Side effects and risks
The most common side effects of Valium and diazepam include:
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Muscle weakness
- Ataxia (poor coordination)
Valium and generic diazepam are both classified as Schedule IV controlled substances by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). This means that these drugs are controlled by the DEA but have low potential for abuse and addiction compared to other controlled drugs under Schedule I, II, and III. Despite their low potential for abuse, the two drugs have a black box (boxed) warning on their labels. Taking benzodiazepines and opioids together can make someone extremely sedated, which can result in respiratory depression (lack of a breathing drive), coma, and death.
In addition to opioids, alcohol and other illicit substances shouldn’t be taken with benzodiazepines such as Valium and diazepam. Using benzodiazepines for more than four months has not been studied in clinical trials. Long-term use of Valium or diazepam can build up tolerance, which means you need a higher dose for the same effect. Stopping Valium or diazepam suddenly can create withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, panic attacks, seizures, and headaches. “Gradual tapering under medical supervision is critical to avoid serious withdrawal complications such as seizures,” Waarbroek says.
If you’re switching from Valium to generic diazepam, make sure you work with your healthcare provider to create a transition plan. Waarbroek advises patients to monitor their symptoms closely after the switch and report any unusual symptoms promptly. “Although rare, some individuals have noted withdrawal-like effects, including seizures, when changing formulations, which is uncommon,” she says.
If you’re prescribed Valium or diazepam, it’s especially important to keep communication with your healthcare provider to make sure your drugs are being used safely and effectively to manage your conditions.
Cost
The most significant difference between brand-name and generic medications is typically cost. The average retail price of Valium is $473 for 30, 5 mg tablets without insurance. In contrast, generic diazepam costs $21 for 30, 5 mg tablets without insurance, a savings of about 96%. Someone with a four-month supply of the drug can end up paying $1,892 for brand-name Valium versus $84 for generic diazepam without insurance.
Valium (diazepam) cost at a glance |
|
|---|---|
| Average cost without insurance | $473 for 30, 5 mg tablets |
| SingleCare cost | $8 for 30, 5 mg tablets of generic diazepam at Kroger or Harris Teeter |
| How to save | Get coupon |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of March 13, 2026. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available.
How to save on generic diazepam
Using your prescription discount card or coupons from SingleCare can help you save up to 62% more on your generic diazepam prescription. While 30, 5 mg tablets of generic diazepam can cost on average $21, using a SingleCare coupon for diazepam can reduce the cost of your prescription to $8 for 30, 5 mg tablets.
You can get a free SingleCare coupon by searching for diazepam on the SingleCare website or app. Then, select the pharmacy where you would like to use your coupon. Show your card or digital coupon to pharmacy staff to save instantly at checkout.
RELATED: How does SingleCare work?
Generic diazepam tablets are covered by most insurance plans, including Medicare Part D, Medicaid, or Tricare.
Frequently asked questions about Valium generic
Is generic diazepam as safe as Valium?
Yes, generic diazepam is as safe as the brand-name drug Valium. Both drugs have the same risks and warnings and should be used only as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Can you switch from Valium to generic diazepam?
Yes, people can usually switch from Valium to generic diazepam, but it’s important to work with your healthcare provider on a transition plan to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
Does insurance cover generic Valium?
Yes, insurance plans generally cover generic diazepam when prescribed for an approved condition.
- Valium – diazepam tablet, DailyMed (2025)
- FDA okays marketing generic form of Valium, Chemical & Engineering News Archive (1985)
- Diazepam tablet, DailyMed (2024)
- 1308.14 Schedule IV., Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) (2026)
- Drug scheduling, Drug Enforcement Administration
- Withdrawal syndromes, StatPearls (2024)