Key takeaways
Valium is a benzodiazepine that can be used for many reasons, such as anxiety disorders, seizures, panic attacks, alcohol withdrawal, and preoperative sedation. It can also be used to treat anxiety, lack of appetite, tense muscles, and seizures in certain animals.
When too high of a dose is taken, Valium can be dangerous. It is important to take the prescribed dose of Valium as directed by your healthcare provider in order to reduce the risk of overdose, addiction, and even death.
Valium should be avoided in those with kidney or liver impairment. It should not be taken with alcohol or certain other medications that interact with it.
Valium is the brand name of diazepam. It’s used to treat anxiety, acute alcohol withdrawal, muscle spasms, and seizure disorders. It can also be used as a sedative before surgeries. Valium is mainly prescribed for adults, but it can be taken by children if approved by a healthcare provider. The standard daily dose of Valium ranges from 2 mg to 10 mg, depending on the age of the patient and the health condition being treated.
Valium forms and strengths
Valium is available as an intramuscular injection, intravenous injection, and oral tablet. It is most commonly prescribed
and taken as a tablet.
Tablet: 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg
Intramuscular injection: varies
Intravenous injection: varies
Valium dosage for adults
Valium belongs to a group of medications called benzodiazepines, which work by enhancing the effects of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Valium to treat anxiety disorders, acute seizures, panic attacks, status epilepticus, and acute alcohol withdrawal. Because of its sedative effects, it can also be used as a sedative before surgery and is sometimes prescribed off-label for other possible uses, such as sleep terrors, sleepwalking, serotonin syndrome, and confusional arousal.
Valium is safe for many adults, but it is a controlled substance and has the potential to be abused or cause addiction. It may not be the right medication for people with addictive personalities or for those with drug or alcohol problems.
Valium dosage chart |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Indication | Starting dosage | Standard dosage | Maximum dosage |
| Anxiety | 2–10 mg tablet taken orally 2–4 times per day | 10 mg tablet taken orally 2–4 times daily | |
| Preoperative sedation | 10 mg administered as an intramuscular injection before surgery | ||
| Procedural sedation | 5–15 mg administered as an intravenous injection 5–10 minutes before a procedure | ||
| Alcohol withdrawal | 10 mg tablet taken orally 3–4 times in the first 24 hours | 5 mg tablet taken orally 3–4 times daily | 10 mg tablet taken orally 3–4 times daily |
| Muscle spasms | 2–10 mg tablet taken orally 3–4 times daily | ||
| Status epilepticus | 5–10 mg administered as an intravenous injection once | 5–10 mg administered intravenously every 10–15 minutes after an initial dose if necessary | 30 mg administered as an intravenous injection |
Valium dosage for children
Valium is only safe for pediatric patients 6 months of age and older to take if approved by a healthcare provider. Children have an increased risk of having varied responses to CNS-acting drugs like Valium, so they are almost always started on the lowest dose possible.
Standard dosage for children ages 6 months and older: 0.1–10 mg
Maximum dosage for children ages 6 months and older: 30 mg
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Valium dosage restrictions
People with certain medical conditions may need to have their dose of diazepam adjusted to make sure they stay healthy. Valium is contraindicated for patients with renal and hepatic impairment because of its potential to cause adverse effects, such as metabolite accumulation, which could cause it to stay in the body for a longer time.
In addition to renally and hepatically impaired patients, people with one or more of the following may need restricted daily doses of Valium to avoid adverse reactions:
Pulmonary impairment
Sleep apnea
Central nervous system depression
Depression
Suicidal thoughts or behavior
Porphyra (build-up of porphyrin that binds to hemoglobin)
Liver disease
Myasthenia gravis
Acute narrow-angle glaucoma
Breathing problems
History of drug or alcohol abuse or addiction
Valium dosage for pets
Valium is used to treat anxiety, lack of appetite, tense muscles, and seizures in cats, dogs, horses, birds, small mammals, and exotic species. The exact amount of Valium animals need will vary based on what kind of animal they are and their specific medical condition, so it’s always best to consult with a veterinarian.
How to take Valium
Taking Valium correctly is the best way to make sure it’s as effective as possible. Here’s how to take it:
Follow the directions on the prescription label and read all medication guides closely. Your healthcare provider may occasionally change your dose. Never take Valium in larger amounts or for longer than prescribed. Tell your healthcare provider if you feel an increased urge to use more of this medicine.
Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Misuse of benzodiazepines can cause addiction, overdose, or death. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it. It’s illegal to sell or give away this medicine.
Valium should only be used for a short time. Do not take this medicine for longer than four months without your healthcare provider's advice.
Do not stop using Valium suddenly, even if you feel fine. Stopping suddenly increases the risk of seizures or unpleasant benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions about tapering your dose.
Store Valium at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep track of your medicine.
Taking Valium correctly will not only ensure it works as well as it can, but it’s also the best way to avoid common possible side effects. The most common side effects of diazepam include:
Drowsiness
Muscle weakness
Constipation
Fatigue
Dizziness
Blurred vision
Ataxia (problems with balance and muscle movement)
Although it’s rare, Valium can cause more serious side effects that can become life-threatening. Some people will have severe allergic reactions to Valium that cause trouble breathing, hives, and swelling of the face, throat, or neck. If this happens to you, seek emergency medical care right away.
Valium also comes with a boxed warning because it’s easily abused, misused, and can be highly addictive. Taking Valium at the same time as other antidepressants or opioids can cause profound sedation, hypotension, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Older adults are also at risk of increased side effects and falls while taking Valium. This is why it’s so important to talk with a healthcare provider before taking Valium and to take it correctly.
Valium dosage FAQs
How long does it take Valium to work?
Valium can start to work within seconds if injected intravenously, within several minutes if it’s injected intramuscularly, and within an hour if it’s taken orally. Aside from drug form, other factors like a patient's weight, level of physical activity, diet, and use of other medications can affect how quickly Valium starts working. The best way to know how quickly Valium will start working for you is to talk with a healthcare professional.
How long does Valium stay in your system?
Valium has a half-life of about 30–56 hours, which means that a single dose of the drug will be halfway gone from the body in that amount of time. It can take almost 10 days for a single dose of Valium to be completely eliminated from the body if no other doses are taken.
What happens if I miss a dose of Valium?
If you miss a dose of Valium, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it’s almost time to take your next dose. Never take two doses at one time because this could cause an overdose.
How long can you take Valium?
Valium is only meant to be taken for a short period of time. Most people will only take the medication for about two to four weeks. It shouldn’t be taken for more than four months without a healthcare provider’s approval.
How do I stop taking Valium?
Valium should never be stopped abruptly because abrupt discontinuation can cause seizures and other withdrawal symptoms. If Valium isn’t working for you or causing you to experience too many side effects, your healthcare provider can work with you to taper you off the drug in a way that reduces the risk of withdrawal reactions. You might want to consider alternatives to Valium, such as Prozac (fluoxetine), Elavil (amitriptyline), or Nardil (phenelzine).
What is the maximum dosage of Valium?
The maximum dosage of Valium will vary based on the medical condition being treated and the age of the patient. The maximum dosage ranges from 10–30 mg for adults and 0.2 to 30 mg for kids.
Can you overdose on Valium?
It’s possible to overdose on Valium. Overdosing can cause severe side effects, such as extreme drowsiness, limp or weak muscles, slow or shallow breathing, loss of coordination, and coma. Overdosing on Valium can be fatal if it’s taken with opioid medications, alcohol, or drugs that cause drowsiness or slow down breathing.
Seek medical advice right away if you’ve overdosed or think you’ve overdosed on Valium. Call Poison Control at 800-222-1222 or get medical help as soon as possible.
What interacts with Valium?
Valium shouldn’t be taken alongside certain prescription drugs because of the potential for adverse drug interactions. If unsure, check with a pharmacist or prescribing healthcare provider. Do not take Valium with:
Amifampridine
Barbiturates
Muromonab-CD3
MAO inhibitors
CNS depressants like phenothiazines and antihistamines
What happens when you mix Valium and alcohol?
It’s not safe to consume alcohol while taking Valium. As a standalone drug, Valium has the potential to cause respiratory depression and slow or stop your breathing. When it’s taken at the same time as alcohol, it’s even more likely to cause breathing problems that can be fatal.
Misusing Valium can cause addiction, overdoses, and death. It’s extremely important to take Valium exactly as prescribed and to follow your healthcare provider’s guidelines.
Is it safe to take Valium during pregnancy?
Valium should only be taken during pregnancy if approved by a medical doctor. If you take Valium while pregnant, your baby could develop a physical dependence on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in a newborn baby. Babies born dependent on habit-forming medicine may need medical treatment for several weeks.
Do not breastfeed while using this medicine. Valium passes into breast milk during lactation and may be harmful to infants.
Sources:
Valium
, PDRHow long does Valium stay in your system
American Addiction Centers (2023)Diazepam
, VCA Animal HospitalsDiazepam (Valium)
, Mother to Baby (2024)
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