What Is Diazepam (Valium)?

Potential Side Effects

Patients should only deal with mild side effects if they take this medication at a low dose for only short periods. It does seem quite possible to experience severe side effects if this medication is misused. Patients may experience an allergic reaction to this medication. They may see symptoms such as throat swelling and hives. If they do, emergency medical attention may be necessary. This medication may also interfere with a patient's breathing. They may deal with blue lips, be hard to wake, or have long pauses in their breathing. Should this occur, emergency attention is likely necessary.

Patients may also want to call their doctor if they experience mood changes, drowsiness, new seizures, anxiety, irritation, or suicidal thoughts as well. Seniors may find that the sedative effects of this medication last longer for them. They may also experience muscle weakness, loss of coordination, and drowsiness. This can lead to increased fall risk.

Learn about possible precautions to take next.

Possible Precautions

Patients do not seem to be able to take diazepam for long periods safely. It appears that they will develop a tolerance to it and can rely on it, even if they are not predisposed to addiction. There seems to be a physical dependence due to how this medication can impact GABA levels in the brain. Specifically, this medication can increase GABA, which means the patient's brain may stop producing as much of this chemical on its own. It can trigger a long process of withdrawal. In addition, suddenly stopping this medication may result in dangerous consequences.

Besides limiting the time that patients take this medication, they may also want to avoid drinking alcohol. Alcohol with this medication may increase their risk of breathing issues. Individuals prone to falling, including seniors, may also wish to take extra precautions to prevent falls. This medication seems to cause side effects such as dizziness and coordination problems, which may result in falls.

Continue reading to learn about potential medication interactions next.