Diazepam
Also sold as: Valium, Calmpose
Usual adult dose
Usual adult dose for anxiety: 2 mg to 5 mg two or three times a day, for a short time only (no more than 2 to 4 weeks). It can cause dependence — do not stop suddenly after long use. Injections are given only in a health facility.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- drowsiness
- tiredness
- unsteady walking
- poor memory
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- slow or shallow breathing
- severe confusion
- falls in older people
- dependence and seizures if stopped suddenly
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Severe breathing problems or sleep apnoea
- Severe liver disease
- Myasthenia gravis
- Use of alcohol or opioid medicines
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Older people (use with caution — risk of falls)
- History of drug or alcohol dependence
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Serious5 medicinesDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.
- Codeine
Together they can cause deep sleepiness and dangerously slow breathing.
- Morphine
Together they can cause deep sedation, slowed breathing and death.
- Pethidine
Together they can cause deep sleepiness and dangerously slow breathing.
- Phenobarbital
Together they can cause deep sedation and slowed breathing.
- Tramadol
Together they can cause deep sedation and slowed breathing.
Moderate14 medicinesTake together only with care. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Amitriptyline
Both cause drowsiness; together they increase sedation and falls.
- Baclofen
Together they increase drowsiness and can slow breathing.
- Chlorphenamine
Together they cause more drowsiness and slowed reactions.
- Cinnarizine
Together they increase drowsiness.