What is Diazepam: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed. Do not use diazepam for longer than prescribed.

Your doctor may tell you when to use this medicine if it’s prescribed on an as-needed basis.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

How to take or administer diazepam tablets:

• Diazepam tablets can be taken with or without food.

• Take diazepam tablets with a drink of water.

• Store tablets at room temperature out of the light.

How to take or administer diazepam oral solution:

• Always measure the dose using the calibrated syringe that comes with the medicine. If it’s missing, a pharmacist can supply one.

• Fill the syringe to the prescribed dose.

• The liquid can be mixed with juice, other liquids, apple sauce, pudding, or other semi-solid foods to make it easier to take. 

• Store the oral solution at room temperature out of the light. 

• Throw away any unused medicine 90 days after the bottle has been opened.

How to take or administer diazepam nasal spray:

• Diazepam nasal spray is a one-dose rescue treatment for acute seizure clusters in adults and children 6 years of age and older.

• Do not use it for any other purpose.

• Patients or their caregivers should thoroughly read the Instructions for Use when they first get this medicine.

• Each blister pack contains two spray devices.

• Both spray devices are used to deliver a single dose.

• Do not open the blister pack containing the spray devices until ready to give a dose.

• Do not test or prime the spray device before use.

• Remove the first nasal spray device and place your fingers on either side of the plunger.

• Insert the nozzle into the nose until your fingers rest against the bottom of the nose.

• Push down on the plunger.

• Do the same for the second spray device.

• Throw away the spent spray devices.

• This medicine is meant to be portable, so it can be stored at room temperature but keep it protected from light.

How to administer diazepam rectal gel:

• Diazepam rectal gel is a one-dose rescue treatment for acute seizure clusters in adults and children 2 years of age and older.

• Do not use it for any other purpose.

• Diazepam rectal gel is intended to be administered by a parent or caregiver—it is not intended for self-dosing.

• The medicine comes in a syringe already set to the correct dose.

• The pharmacist may need to set the syringe to the correct dose by attaching a collar to the plunger: If that’s the case, make sure the plunger is jacketed with a locked collar that has the correct dose written on it. The plunger should have a sticker that says “READY.” 

• Administering this medicine is complex and involves several steps, careful monitoring, and follow-up

• Read the instructions before using this medication.

• Review the instructions and all monitoring and follow-up procedures with a healthcare professional before using this medication.

• Fill out the worksheet that comes with the medicine.

• Do not use this medicine unless you understand the directions and are comfortable with your role in its use.

Ask the prescribing doctor what to do if a dose of diazepam is missed.

If you don’t have instructions from a doctor, take a missed dose when it’s remembered unless it’s almost time for the next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next dose as scheduled.

This medicine is not right for everyone. 

Do not use diazepam if you have:

• Had an allergic reaction to diazepam

• A muscle weakness disease called myasthenia gravis

• Sleep apnea

• Severe breathing problems

• Narrow-angle glaucoma

Do not give this medicine to any child 6 months of age or younger.

Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine.

Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Too much of this medicine can cause death. Symptoms of an overdose include extreme dizziness or weakness, trouble breathing, slow heartbeat, seizures, and cold, clammy skin.

This medicine can be habit-forming which can lead to overdose and death. Do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not working.

Diazepam may not be safe to take for longer than four months. Long-term use can lead to physical dependency and potentially cause protracted withdrawal symptoms when discontinued.

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely. 

Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you have:

• Kidney disease

• Liver disease

• Lung or breathing problems

• Glaucoma

• A history of drug or alcohol abuse, depression, mental health problems, or seizures.

This medicine can increase thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor right away if you start to feel depressed and have thoughts about hurting yourself.

It may not be safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant.

Tell the doctor if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. Diazepam can pass into breast milk and affect the nursing infant.

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

Diazepam is a federally controlled substance. Giving or selling this drug to anyone else is dangerous and against the law.

Because of the risk of overdose, death, or misuse, keep diazepam securely out of the reach of children.

To avoid potentially hazardous drug interactions, tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements you are using before taking diazepam.

Tell other healthcare providers you are using this medicine before they prescribe new medications.

Taking diazepam along with opioids can cause serious problems including slowed breathing and death.

Because diazepam is a sedative, it can cause excessive sleepiness, impairment, and even slowed breathing when combined with other drugs that cause sleepiness including other benzodiazepines, antidepressants, antihistamines, or alcohol.

Tell the prescribing doctor if you are using any of the following medicines:

• Mental health medications 

• MAO inhibitors

• Antacids

• The seizure medication phenytoin

• Cimetidine, omeprazole, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, or ketoconazole