Valium / Diazepam Dosage Instructions

The diazepam dosage is based on an individual, depending on the condition they are treating, the severity of symptoms, their body weight, past conditions and other factors that may affect a dosage schedule.

The dose that a patient takes is reliant on the strength of the medication. Additionally, the frequency of doses taken each day and the time between doses all depends on the medical condition that diazepam tablets are used to treat.

A general diazepam dosage is as follows:

• Anxiety, agitation and panic disorder - A single dose of 2 mg to 10 mg should be taken 2 to 4 times every day. Doses may be increased or decreased according to symptoms experience.
• Insomnia - 2 mg to 10 mg must be taken one time before bedtime only.
• Seizures - 2 mg to 10 mg must be taken 2 to 4 times a day.
• Muscle spasms or cramps - 2 mg to 10 mg taken 3 or 4 times a day. Patients should not exceed 10 mg for the treatment of muscle spasms or cramps.
• Alcohol withdrawal - 10 mg that is taken 3 or 4 times during the first 24 hours. Thereafter, the dose should be reduced to 5 mg.

For older patients, and patients with a debilitating condition, their diazepam dosage may be altered accordingly. Usually, their starting dose is 2 mg to 2.5 mg, taken once or twice a day. The dose can be increased gradually with the knowledge of proper medical advice.

Patients must remember that their symptoms may improve quickly or over some days when using diazepam for anxiety or insomnia. They should not unnecessarily increase the dose in the case of no immediate effects.

Additional dosage instructions:

• Take the tablet with water only.
• Do not mix the treatment with alcohol or contraindicated medications.
• Do not have a high-fat meal just before administration of this medication.
• If a dose is missed, it can be taken as soon as they remember. However, it should be skipped if it is close to the next scheduled dose.

How Long Does Diazepam Last?

The medication can be taken in various ways, such as orally, injection or rectal gel - depending on what is available on the platform you are buying from. These different forms have different times to take effect.

The durational effects of a diazepam dosage taken orally will present itself in 15 to 60 minutes, and lasting for 6 hours. Usually, rectal gels are used in individuals who experience seizures as it begins working rapidly after administration.

When taking diazepam, it is essential to know how long the medication stays effective in the body to avoid associated risks, such as:

• Risk of dependence and tolerance - Non-adherence to dosage instructions can lead to a tolerance for the medication. This means that patients would have to take larger dosages. Also, the overuse of the medication can have severe side effects as well, leading to dependence. Using the correct dose of diazepam and following instructions will help one avoid this risk.
• Serious interaction effects - Valium can have more serious side effects if patients take certain medications before it is eliminated from the body. Sedatives, sleeping pills, opioids or tranquillizers should be avoided if patients are taking Valium. The same goes for the use of alcohol.
• Too much of the medication in the body - An excess of this treatment in the body can cause adverse effects such as confusion, shortness of breath and impaired balance and movements.

How Long Does Diazepam Stay in Your System?

It can stay in the body for about ten days. During the elimination process, the body converts it into active metabolites, which still have a beneficial effect. It can take several days for the metabolites to be flushed out of the system.

A diazepam dosage is converted into nordiazepam, oxazepam and temazepam in the body, which all have their respective half-lives. The half-lives of these metabolites are:

• Oxazepam - 4 to 15 hours
• Temazepam - 8 to 22 hours
• Nordiazepam - 40 to 99 hours

When diazepam is converted into these substances, it is eliminated from the body in 1 to 3 days. However, the long half-life of nordiazepam allows this substance to remain in the brain and blood for a longer time.

Valium may become more challenging to eliminate from the body, depending on the user's age and liver function. The liver's functionality reduces as individuals get older, which results in elderly adults having a slightly difficult time eliminating the medication. Liver damage from alcohol addiction, hepatitis or other diseases also hinders Valium's elimination.

Patients need to understand if their liver damage is from the overuse of alcohol, as diazepam is commonly used in treating these withdrawal symptoms. If the substance is not easily excreted, this can increase memory loss or risk of falls.

Can I Take Diazepam Every Day?

Diazepam 10 mg is a safe and successful treatment when it is used as instructed. Benzodiazepines, in general, may produce emotional or physical dependence, especially when not used as recommended or when used in excess. This commonly occurs after two or more weeks of consecutive daily use.

When this medication is taken as directed, it is more helpful with minimal harmful or unwanted effects. However, long-term use or incorrect use of the medication can interrupt the central nervous system's normal functions, causing undesirable effects such as extreme drowsiness, confusion, and forgetfulness.

Experts recommend that patients do not consecutively use this medication for over 2 to 4 weeks. If patients feel little to no difference in their condition after the treatment, they should visit their healthcare provider for advice and re-evaluation, or research further online.

Diazepam Withdrawal Symptoms

In the event of reducing or stopping the use of this medication, patients may experience physical withdrawal symptoms. The longer they are on the treatment, the higher the risk. To safely wean off the tablet, it is essential to start a strict dosage reduction regimen with proper research or a medical professional's help. Do not stop use suddenly.

Since this anxiety medication is a long-acting benzodiazepine, withdrawal symptoms can present themselves up to three weeks after treatment. This also gives patients enough time to taper the treatment safely. Withdrawal symptoms are not severe when the tapering process is followed.

These symptoms may include:

• Headaches
• Blurred vision
• Difficulty sleeping
• Dizziness
• Inability to concentrate

* These are normally mild, when the tapering off process is adhered to.

For more information on anti-anxiety medication please click on the links below or visit our UK based online pharmacy.

Updated: 15th January 2021
Review Due: January 2022