Generic name: diazepam (dye AZ e pam)
Brand names:
All FDA warnings are at the end of this fact sheet. Please consult them before taking this medication.
Diazepam is a benzodiazepine. It is approved for the treatment of anxiety, acute seizures, status epilepticus (continuous seizures), muscle spasms, alcohol withdrawal, and as a medication given right before anesthesia. This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your health care provider for more information.
Symptoms of anxiety include:
Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you because you may notice that you feel tired or dizzy.
When starting diazepam, anxiety or insomnia may improve rapidly or over a period of days.
Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam, are often used for short periods of time only. They may produce emotional and/or physical dependence (addiction) even when used as recommended. With input from you, your health care provider will assess how long you will need to take the medicine.
Do not stop taking diazepam or change your dose without talking to your health care provider first. Stopping diazepam abruptly may result in one or more of the following withdrawal symptoms: trouble sleeping, anxiety, irritability, nausea, tremor, dizziness, blood pressure changes, rapid heart rate, and seizures. Withdrawal reactions may occur when dosage reduction occurs for any reason.
The use of diazepam with opioid medications has led to serious side effects including slowed and difficulty breathing and death. Opioids are used to treat pain and include medications such as: codeine, oxycodone, morphine, and illegal drugs like heroin. Some opioid medications are also found in cough syrup.
If you are taking diazepam with an opioid, seek medical attention immediately if you experience unusual dizziness, extreme sleepiness, or slowed or troubled breathing. Caregivers must get medical help right away if a patient is unresponsive.
Avoid alcohol while taking this medication.
If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, notify your health care provider to best manage your medications. People living with anxiety disorders who wish to become pregnant face important decisions regarding risk versus benefit of benzodiazepine use in pregnancy. Diazepam can increase the risk of premature birth and low birth weight. Neonatal withdrawal and “floppy baby syndrome” are other potential adverse effects. It is important to discuss this with your doctor and caregivers.
Regarding breastfeeding, caution is advised since diazepam does pass into breast milk.
Diazepam may be taken with or without food. Take with food if you experience an upset stomach.
Diazepam may be taken every day at regular times or on an as-needed (“PRN”) basis. Typically, your health care provider will limit the number of doses you should take in one day.
Your health care provider will determine the dose and method of taking the medication that is right for you based upon your response.
Diazepam liquid: Measure with a dosing spoon or oral syringe, which you can get from your pharmacy.
Diazepam nasal spray (Valtoco®): do not test or prime the nasal spray before you use it. Each device has only 1 spray and cannot be reused. Keep the nasal spray in the box and protect it from light until you are ready to use it.
If you take the medication every day (instead of “as-needed”), use a calendar, pillbox, alarm clock, or cell phone alert to help you remember to take it. You may also ask a family member or friend to remind you or check in with you to be sure you are taking your medication.
If you miss a dose of diazepam, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is closer to the time of your next dose. Discuss this with your health care provider. Do not double your next dose or take more than what is prescribed.
Avoid drinking alcohol or using illegal drugs while you are taking diazepam. They may decrease the benefits (e.g., worsen your condition) and increase the adverse effects (e.g., sedation) of the medication. Alcohol increases the risk of accidental overdose with medications like diazepam.
If an overdose occurs call your doctor or 911. You may need urgent medical care. You may also contact the poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
Symptoms of overdose include confusion, impaired coordination, slow reflexes, coma, and death.
A specific treatment to reverse the effects of diazepam does exist. This medicine, called flumazenil, can reverse the effects of diazepam but must be given through an IV at a hospital. Only a doctor can decide if you need this medication.
Common side effects
If you experience these side effects after starting diazepam they will often improve over the first week or two as you continue to take the medication. If side effects do not improve or become problematic, consult your health care provider.
Rare/Serious side effects
Shortness of breath, trouble speaking, feeling very tired, dizziness, or passing out.
Increased heart rate, headache, memory impairment, irritability, and restlessness may occur.
Some people taking benzodiazepines develop a severe allergic reaction and swelling of the face. This can occur as early as with the first dose.
Some people taking benzodiazepines for sleep have experienced various behaviors while they were asleep/not fully awake, such as sleep driving, making phone calls, and preparing or eating food. The individuals have no memory of the events when they awaken.
Signs of feeling depressed or low mood, thoughts of harming or killing yourself, or lack of interest in life.
Diazepam is a safe and effective medication when used as directed. Benzodiazepines may produce emotional and/or physical dependence (addiction) even when used as recommended. Physical dependence may develop after 2 or more weeks of daily use. The risk of withdrawal reactions when stopping therapy with diazepam is increased with prolonged use of the medication.
The following medications may increase the levels and effects of diazepam:
The following medications may decrease the levels and effects of diazepam:
Diazepam should not be taken with other benzodiazepine medications.
Diazepam may cause drowsiness, so caution should be used when combining it with other medications that cause drowsiness. These could include:
When starting diazepam, anxiety or insomnia may improve rapidly or over a period of days or within hours of the first dose of medication.
The FDA has found that benzodiazepines, such as diazepam, when used in combination with opioids or other sedating medications can result in serious adverse reactions including slowed or difficult breathing and death. Patients taking opioids with benzodiazepines, other sedating medications, or alcohol, and caregivers of these patients, should seek immediate medical attention if that start to experience unusual dizziness or lightheadedness, extreme sleepiness, slow or difficulty breathing, or unresponsiveness.
As a benzodiazepine, diazepam comes with the risk of abuse, misuse, and addiction to the medication. Physical dependence to diazepam can occur with prolonged use of the medication. A withdrawal reaction may occur when stopping diazepam, but this risk can be reduced by slowly reducing the dose of diazepam when stopping. Do not stop taking diazepam abruptly, and do not make any changes to therapy without consulting your health care provider.
Last Reviewed: January 2024
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Important Disclosure: This information is being provided as a community outreach effort of the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists. This information is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. This information contains a summary of important points and is not an exhaustive review of information about the medication. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified medical professional with any questions you may have regarding medications or medical conditions. Never delay seeking professional medical advice or disregard medical professional advice as a result of any information provided herein. The American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists disclaims any and all liability alleged as a result of the information provided herein.
©2023 The American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). AAPP and NAMI make this document available under the Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Last Updated: January 2016.
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