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- $Unique_ID{BRK03123}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{diazepam}
- $Subject{Diazepam Intensol Roxene Valium Roche Valrelease Vazepam Major
- Sedative/hypnotic anxiety muscle spasms convulsions seizures alcohol
- withdrawal depressant central nervous system brain spinal cord nervousness}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{
- Valium 5 mg*0312301.scf
- Valium 10 mg*0312302.scf
- Valrelease*0312303.scf}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- diazepam
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers)
-
- diazepam (various manufacturers)
- Diazepam Intensol (Roxene)
- Valium (Roche)
- Valrelease (Roche)
- Vazepam (Major)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Sedative/hypnotic
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- diazepam
-
- DOSAGE FORMS
-
- Oral solution (5 mg per 5-ml spoonful)
- Oral intensol solution (5 mg per ml)
- Tablets (2 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg)
- Sustained-release capsules (15 mg)
-
- STORAGE
-
- This medication should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed,
- light-resistant container.
-
- USES
-
- Diazepam is prescribed to treat symptoms of anxiety and sometimes to
- treat muscle spasms, convulsions, seizures, or alcohol withdrawal. It is not
- clear exactly how this medicine works, but it may relieve anxiety by acting as
- a depressant of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). Diazepam
- is currently used by many people to relieve nervousness. It is effective for
- this purpose for short periods, but it is important to try to remove the cause
- of the anxiety as well.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- The oral intensol solution should be mixed with a nonalcoholic liquid or
- semi-solid food such as water, juice, soda or soda-like beverages, applesauce,
- or pudding. Use only the calibrated dropper provided. Stir the liquid or
- food gently for a few seconds after adding the oral intensol solution. The
- entire amount of the mixture should be consumed immediately. Do not store
- prepared mixtures for future use. The tablet or capsule form of this
- medication should be taken exactly as directed by your doctor. It can be
- taken with food or a full glass of water if stomach upset occurs. Do not take
- this medication with a dose of antacids, since they may retard its absorption.
- If you are taking this medication regularly and you miss a dose and
- remember within an hour, take the missed dose immediately. If more than an
- hour has passed, skip the dose you missed and wait for the next scheduled
- dose. Do not double the next dose.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Bitter taste in the mouth, constipation, depression, diarrhea, dizziness,
- drowsiness (after a night's sleep), dry mouth, excessive salivation, fatigue,
- flushing, headache, heartburn, loss of appetite, nausea, nervousness,
- sweating, or vomiting. These side effects should disappear as your body
- adjusts to the medication.
- To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
- fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
- drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
- Dry mouth can be relieved by chewing sugarless gum or by sucking on ice
- chips or hard candy.
- If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down for a while; get up slowly from a
- sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- blurred or double vision, chest pain, difficulty in urinating, fainting,
- falling, fever, joint pain, hallucinations, mouth sores, nightmares,
- palpitations, rash, severe depression, shortness of breath, slurred speech,
- sore throat, uncoordinated movements, unusual excitement, unusual tiredness,
- or yellowing of the eyes or skin.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- This medication interacts with several other types of medications:
- 1. To prevent oversedation, this drug should not be taken with alcohol,
- other sedative drugs, or central nervous system depressants (such as
- antihistamines, barbiturates, muscle relaxants, pain medicines, narcotics,
- medicines for seizures, and tranquilizers), or with antidepressants.
- 2. This medication may decrease the effectiveness of carbamazepine,
- levodopa, and oral anticoagulants (blood thinners) and may increase the
- effects of phenytoin.
- 3. Disulfiram, oral contraceptives (birth control pills), isoniazid,
- fluoxetine, valproic acid, propranolol, metoprolol, and cimetidine can
- increase the blood levels of diazepam, which can lead to toxic effects.
- 4. Concurrent use of rifampin may decrease the effectiveness of diazepam.
- BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
- taking, especially any of those listed above.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
- any medications, especially to diazepam or other benzodiazepine tranquilizers
- (such as alprazolam, flurazepam, halazepam, lorazepam, oxazepam, prazepam,
- temazepam, and triazolam).
- * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had liver disease,
- kidney disease, epilepsy, lung disease, myasthenia gravis, porphyria, mental
- depression, or mental illness.
- * This medicine can cause drowsiness. Avoid tasks that require
- alertness, such as driving a car or operating potentially dangerous machinery.
- * This medication has the potential for abuse and must be used with
- caution. Tolerance may develop quickly; do not increase your dosage of the
- drug without first consulting your doctor. It is also important not to stop
- taking this drug suddenly if you have been taking it in large amounts or if
- you have used it for several weeks. Your doctor may want to reduce your
- dosage gradually.
- * This is a safe drug when used properly. When it is combined with other
- sedative drugs or alcohol, however, serious side effects can develop.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. This medicine may
- increase the chance of birth defects if it is taken during the first three
- months of pregnancy. In addition, too much use of this medicine during the
- last six months of pregnancy may cause the baby to become dependent on it,
- resulting in withdrawal side effects in the newborn. Also, use of this
- medicine during the last weeks of pregnancy may cause excessive drowsiness,
- slowed heartbeat, and breathing difficulties in the infant. Be sure to tell
- your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. This medication can pass
- into breast milk and cause excessive drowsiness, slowed heartbeat, and
- breathing difficulties in nursing infants.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-