Diazepam is commonly prescribed for muscle spasms and seizures where misused diazepam can result in addiction overdose and even death in this video we’ll break down the important questions you may have about this medication  diazepam belongs to a group of medications called benzodiazepines these medications work by increasing the levels of the neurochemical gaba gaba is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that promotes anxiety reduction sleepiness and muscle relaxation with further effects as an anti-convulsant

because of these effects diazepam is licensed for use to treat anxiety muscle spasms and seizures diazepam can be prescribed as a pre-medication to calm you before medical procedures is there anyone who shouldn’t take diazepam it’s best to speak with your doctor before taking this medication if you have any of the following conditions you’ve had a previous allergic reaction to diazepam or other benzodiazepines have a condition which causes impairment of the function of the nerves and muscles required to breathe you suffer from a

condition known as sleep apnea syndrome and some patients with unstable myasthenia gravis is diazepam safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding dies upon use in pregnancy may result in your baby experiencing withdrawal symptoms after birth if used late in pregnancy your baby may be drowsy after birth this medication should also be avoided where possible among breastfeeding mothers diazepam is expressed in breast milk and can be ingested by your baby in these cases mothers may find that their baby becomes drowsy or even falls

asleep during feeds in both cases your doctor will need to weigh up the risk versus benefits of taking the medication before continuing your prescription what’s the correct dose of diazepam diazepam is available in a variety of strengths ranging from two to ten milligrams the regime of two milligrams taken three times a day is commonly used for anxiety higher doses may be required depending on your indication when prescribed as a pump it’s important to use the lowest strength required for shortest period to reduce your risk of

addiction how to take your diazepam take your diazepam as prescribed by doctor tablet and liquid preparations may be taken with or without food but please take them alongside a glass of water for some diazepam can cause drowsiness and even impair your vision so it’s best to avoid driving or using heavy machinery particularly if you’re new to this medication and you’re not sure how it’s going to affect you is diazepam addictive it is possible to become addicted diazepam therefore it’s important to take the lowest dose for shortest

amount of time in the majority cases diazepam is not used as a long-term medication individuals who become dependent on dyspalm may experience withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly stop the medication symptoms of withdrawal can include agitation irritability sweating diarrhea increased confusion and even seizures how long does it take for diazepam to work diazepam gets to work within minutes of you taking the medication so you should start feeling the benefits soon after your first dose are there any foods i should avoid

you should avoid any grapefruit products this is because grapefruits contain a chemical that can interfere with your body’s natural ability to break down diet as a pan in combination grapefruit can increase the amount of diazepam present in your bloodstream increasing your risk of drug overdose additionally drinks which contain the stimulant caffeine may inhibit the relaxing effect of diazepam therefore it’s advisable to avoid any tea and coffee whilst taking this medication can i drink alcohol with this medication

you should avoid consuming alcohol alongside diazepam this combination can make you feel very drowsy and reduce your consciousness level in some this reduced consciousness could be life-threatening you may be unable to breathe effectively and be unable to wake up i’ve missed my dose what should i do if you forget to take your diet on time don’t worry take it as soon you remember however if it’s almost time for your next dose skip the mistos remember to take your next dose at the regular time please don’t double dose to make up

for a missed one i’ve accidentally taken too much medication diazepam in overdose can be extremely dangerous and even a risk to your life symptoms of overdose can include drowsiness dizziness confusion poor coordination difficulty breathing lethargy and weakness and even loss of consciousness if you believe you’ve taken an overdose of this medication please seek emergency assessment are there any side effects fortunately most will not experience any side effects however as with all medications side effects can occur

common side effects associated with diazepam are tremors slur speech or poor coordination mood changes even increased anxiety muscle weakness dizziness and drowsiness rarely people may experience more concerning side effects if you experience any of the following please consult with your doctor urgently a change of behavior such as increased confusion aggression or agitation increased paranoia hallucinations or delusions where individuals may hear or see things that aren’t real slowing or stopping of your breathing severe

drowsiness and unconsciousness particularly if taken alongside alcohol or opiate-based painkillers urinary retention and this is where people are unable to pass urine freely finally allergic reactions are concerning as they can be life-threatening fortunately life-threatening allergic reactions are rare those with serious allergic reactions should call emergency services for assistance symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include swelling of the face lips mouth and throat difficulty breathing wheezing or chest tightness and even an

allergic skin rash of course this list is not exhaustive and for a full list of side effects please refer to the drug information leaflet that comes with your medications i hope this article has supplied the answers you were looking for thank for reading and we’ll see you in the next one you, Good Bye