What Is Diazepam (Valium)?

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.