Valium is the brand name for the prescription drug diazepam. It is a benzodiazepine derivative – a type of drug that has a sedating effect. Benzodiazepines are also known as “minor tranquilizers”, and are often prescribed for anxiety and insomnia. Like other drugs in this category, such as Xanax and Ativan, Valium is also prescribed for many other conditions. It was approved in 1963 by the FDA. Because of its propensity for abuse and dependence, Valium is a controlled substance.
How Valium works
Valium works by boosting the effect of the neurotransmitter GABA. GABA, which stands for gamm-aminobutyric acid, works in the brain by slowing or stopping particular nerve signals. The belief is that certain disorders, such as anxiety, may be caused by excessive brain activity. When GABA is enhanced it calms this activity. This is the reason why benzodiazepines, such as Valium, are referred to as sedatives, minor tranquilizers, or CNS (central nervous system) depressants.
History of Valium
Leo Sternbach, a chemist at the health-care company Hoffmann La Roche who discovered benzodiazepines, created diazepam in the early 1960s. He had developed chlordiazepoxide, more commonly known as Librium, several years earlier. Diazepam turned out to be significantly more potent, quickly making it a very popular drug. Also, diazepam and similar drugs are much safer than barbiturates, which are much more likely to be deadly at high doses. For many years, diazepam was the highest selling prescription drug in the U.S.
What Valium Is Used to Treat
As mentioned above, Valium is frequently prescribed for anxiety (including panic disorder) and insomnia. However, it is also frequently prescribed for other conditions or symptoms including:
• Restless leg syndrome
• Alcohol, opiate, and benzodiazepine withdrawal
• Muscle spasms
• Meniere’s disease
• Bipolar mania
• Night terrors
• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Stiff person syndrome
Since many people become anxious and tense prior to medical procedures, particularly endoscopies, Valium is also often prescribed beforehand. It is occasionally prescribed to cause sedation and / or amnesia during some types of surgery.
Valium is often used as an adjunct treatment with other medications. For example, individuals with depression who also have anxiety may be prescribed Valium in addition to an antidepressant. Individuals who experience extra pyramidal side effects from antipsychotic drugs may also be prescribed Valium.
Valium is typically prescribed as a short-term medication. Systematic research has not been conducted to evaluate its long-term effectiveness. Also, long-term use can lead to increased tolerance and dependence.
Effects of Valium
Valium is a very fast-acting drug. The effects of the medication will usually be felt within a half hour. The main effects will often last somewhere between 12 to 24 hours. It has a half-life of about 48 hours.
When taken at low doses, Valium has a tranquilizing effect. It typically causes a person to become drowsy, and may also cause confusion and short-term memory loss. If high doses of Valium are taken, it can cause a person to become disinhibited, excited, and extremely sedated. Respiration becomes suppressed. A person can feel intoxicated from high amounts of Valium, exhibiting similar symptoms as someone who is drunk.
Administration and Dosing of Valium
Valium is usually taken orally, but can also be administered via IV, injection, or as a suppository. Valium may be prescribed orally in doses of anywhere from 2 to 40 mg, 2 to 4 times a day. 2 to10 mg doses are the most commonly prescribed.
Valium Side Effects
Like most medications, Valium has numerous potential side effects, ranging from mild to severe. Common side effects include:
• Drowsiness or sleepiness
• Dry mouth
• Appetite changes
Less common side effects include:
• Blurry or double vision
• Frequent or problematic urination
• Muscle spasms
• Feeling excited or restless
• Changes in libido or ability to perform sexually
• Speech difficulties
Serious side effects may include:
• Prominent skin rash
• Heart arrhythmias
• Shuffled gait
• Breathing difficulties
• Problems swallowing
Rebound anxiety is another potential side effect of Valium that sometimes occurs when a person stops taking the medication, particularly if it is discontinued suddenly rather than gradually.
Considerable caution must be used when taking Valium with other medications that may enhance its effects. These include certain types of antidepressants (particularly MAO inhibitors), pain medications, other types of sedatives such as barbiturates, anticonvulsants, antihistamines, oral contraceptives, and certain antipsychotics.
Individuals with severe or chronic respiratory problems should take only low doses of Valium, as it may depress respiration.
Precautions for potential suicidal tendencies must be taken when Valium is prescribed for individuals with severe or latent depression.
Valium should not be taken by someone actively using alcohol or other depressants, as those substances will increase its sedating effects. Valium should not be taken by women who are pregnant or nursing. It can cause birth defects and may be harmful to infants.
Due to risk of abuse and dependence, Valium should be prescribed to individuals with a substance abuse history only with extreme caution.
Drug Interactions with Valium
Potentially serious interactions may occur when Valium is combined with other medications, including but not limited to:
Valium Tolerance, Abuse, and Dependence=
For most people, ongoing use of Valium will cause them to develop a tolerance with regards to its sedative effects as well as its side effects. However, they won’t necessarily develop a tolerance for the anti-anxiety effects of the medication. The frequency with which Valium is taken, as well as the dose, will play a role in how quickly tolerance develops. Unfortunately, Valium is often abused as some patients will take more than prescribed, particularly once tolerance begins to develop.
It is not uncommon for some individuals to become dependent on Valium, both psychologically and physiologically. This is most likely to occur when it is taken for extended periods of time at higher doses.
If stopped suddenly after regular use, many symptoms may develop. While some of these are mild to moderate, such as headaches, dysphoric mood, feelings of restlessness or excitement, nausea and vomiting, and muscle stiffness, severe symptoms may also occur. These may include hallucinations, delirium, paranoia, seizures, hyperthermia, elevated blood pressure, and tachycardia. It is highly recommended that Valium be discontinued gradually under a doctor’s supervision.
Valium is a highly effective drug when taken for brief periods. However, the risk for abuse and dependence should always be considered before taking Valium for any length of time, particularly for anxiety or insomnia. Many people find that as soon as they stop using Valium or similar medications, their symptoms return fairly quickly. Working with a therapist to learn relaxation techniques and other methods to manage stress and anxiety is often a better long-term solution than taking benzodiazepines for these conditions.