What is Valium? Uses, warnings & side effects

Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

Read the Medication Guide that comes with the medicine, particularly the section titled, “What is the most important information I should know about VALIUM?” 

Store Valium tablets out of the light at room temperature. Keep Valium out of the reach of children.

Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. 

Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

This medicine is not right for everyone.

Do not take Valium if you have had an allergic reaction to diazepam.

Do not take Valium if you have:

• A muscle weakness disorder called myasthenia gravis

• Severe breathing problems

• Severe liver disease

• Severe sleep apnea

• Narrow-angle glaucoma

Never give Valium to an infant younger than 6 months old.

Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine.

Your doctor will need to regularly visit with you to assess your progress. Keep all appointments.

Take the prescribed dose. Taking too much Ativan can cause extreme dizziness, weakness, trouble breathing, slow heartbeat, seizures, and cold, clammy skin.

Xanax can cause physical dependency and become a drug habit. Abuse of this drug can result in overdose and death. Do not use more than your prescribed dose or continue to take Valium after the doctor has told you to stop. Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not working.

Diazepam may not be safe to take for long periods. Long-term use can lead to physical dependency and result in protracted withdrawal symptoms when discontinued.

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. This medicine can cause withdrawal symptoms that could be severe or drawn out for months. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

This medicine can increase thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor right away if you start to feel depressed and have thoughts about hurting yourself.

Tell your doctor if you have:

• Kidney disease

• Liver disease

• Lung disease

• Breathing problems

• A history of seizures

• A history of mental health issues such as depression, mood problems, or suicidal thoughts or behaviors

• A history of drug or alcohol abuse

It is not safe to take Valium while pregnant because it could injure the unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

Tell the doctor if you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. Diazepam can make a nursing infant sleepy or less willing to feed.

Valium can cause serious problems such as:

• Seizures

• Physical dependency

• Abuse

• Withdrawal

• Overdose

This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, or lightheaded. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. 

Valium is a federally controlled substance. Giving or selling this drug to anyone else is hazardous and illegal.

Because of the risk of overdose, death, or misuse, keep Valium tablets securely out of the reach of children and adults.

To avoid potentially hazardous drug interactions, tell the doctor prescribing Valium about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and supplements you are using before taking Valium.

Tell other healthcare providers you are using Valium before they prescribe new medications.

Taking Valium along with an opioid can cause serious problems, including slowed breathing, coma, and death.

Combining Valium with other drugs that slow down the nervous system, such as other benzodiazepines, sedatives, allergy medications, muscle relaxants, and alcohol, can cause excessive sedation, severe impairment, and breathing problems. 

Do not drink alcohol when taking Valium.

Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice.

Before taking Valium, tell the prescribing doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• Narcotic pain relievers

• Medicines that treat mental health disorders

• Drugs that treat seizures

• Sedatives

• Antihistamines

• Barbiturates

• Phenothiazines

• MAO inhibitors

• Cimetidine, omeprazole, ketoconazole, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, phenytoin