If your breathing problems are severe or you have sleep apnea, your doctor may prescribe a different medication for you instead. For pregnant people: Diazepam is a category D pregnancy drug. That means two things:. Taking this drug during pregnancy may cause babies to be born with deformities, muscle weakness, breathing and eating problems, low body temperatures, and withdrawal symptoms. Diazepam should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit for the mother justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
For people who are breastfeeding: Diazepam passes into breast milk and can cause serious effects in a child who is breastfed. For seniors: Seniors may have a higher risk for side effects, such as motor ataxia loss of muscle coordination while you move. This drug may also have more of a sedative effect in seniors. You may experience more dizziness, sleepiness, confusion, or a slowing or stopping of breathing. Your doctor will prescribe the lowest dosage possible to control your symptoms.
For children: Keep this drug out of the reach of children. Diazepam can interact with several other medications. Different interactions can cause different effects.
For instance, some can interfere with how well a drug works, while others can cause increased side effects. Below is a list of medications that can interact with diazepam.
This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with diazepam. Before taking diazepam, be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take.
Also, tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
These drugs make it harder for the body to absorb diazepam. If you take them together, you may not get the full dose of diazepam, and it may not work as well. These drugs include:. Taking certain drugs that treat allergies or colds along with diazepam can increase your risk for drowsiness or sleepiness. It can also cause your breathing to slow down or stop.
Taking certain antidepressants with diazepam can increase your risk for drowsiness or sleepiness. These drugs block the enzyme that breaks down diazepam. This can increase the levels of diazepam in your body, putting you at higher risk for side effects such as drowsiness. Taking certain antipsychotic drugs with diazepam can increase your risk for drowsiness or sleepiness.
Taking certain anxiety drugs with diazepam can increase your risk for drowsiness or sleepiness. Taking certain motion sickness drugs with diazepam can increase your risk for drowsiness or sleepiness.
Taking certain antiseizure drugs with diazepam can increase your risk for drowsiness or sleepiness. Phenytoin, phenobarbital, and carbamazepine also affect the enzyme that breaks down diazepam. This can increase the levels of diazepam in your body, putting you at higher risk for these side effects. Taking certain pain drugs with diazepam can increase your risk for drowsiness or sleepiness. Taking certain sleep drugs with diazepam can increase your risk for drowsiness or sleepiness.
These drugs make your body process diazepam faster, so there will be lower levels of the drug in your body. If you take them with diazepam, it may not work as well. This drug may be refilled if your doctor authorizes it on the prescription. It may only be refilled up to five times within 6 months after the prescription was given. Your doctor will decide the right dosage for you.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. Diazepam is also used along with other medications to control seizures. Diazepam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines.
It works by calming abnormal overactivity in the brain. Diazepam comes as a tablet, a solution, and as a concentrate liquid to take by mouth. It is usually taken 1 to 4 times a day and may be taken with or without food.
Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take diazepam exactly as directed. Diazepam concentrate comes with a specially marked dropper for measuring the dose. Ask your pharmacist to show you how to use the dropper. Dilute the concentrate in water, juice, or carbonated beverages just before taking it.
It also may be mixed with applesauce or pudding just before taking the dose. Stir the mixture gently for a few seconds. Take the entire mixture immediately; do not store it for future use. If you are taking diazepam along with other medications to control seizures, do not stop taking diazepam without talking to your doctor, even if you experience side effects such as unusual changes in behavior or mood.
If you suddenly stop taking diazepam, your seizures may get worse. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. If you take several doses per day and miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Diazepam may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication. Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture not in the bathroom. It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily.
To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor.
Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. If too much of this medicine is taken for a long time, it may become habit-forming causing mental or physical dependence. This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow the instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions. The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label.
The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
0コメント