
It may be used with caution in patients with pure benzodiazepine poisoning who have severe respiratory depression and would otherwise require mechanical ventilation.įlumazenil should never be used as a diagnostic test and must only be administered by a clinician with expertise in its use. The risks associated with use of flumazenil, a benzodiazepine antagonist, outweigh any potential benefits for most patients. Acute management consists of maintaining airway, respiration, and haemodynamic support while excluding other diagnoses. The effects of benzodiazepines may be potentiated if taken in combination with other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, such as alcohol and opioids. Larger doses can cause coma, respiratory depression, and, without appropriate treatment, even death, particularly in the context of mixed ingestion with other CNS depressants. The key feature of overdose is excessive sedation. You can also visit healthdirect's list of medicines that contain diazepam to read the CMI for the brand of diazepam prescribed.Benzodiazepine overdose can be intentional (e.g., as an act of self-harm), as part of recreational misuse, or accidental (e.g., medication error).īenzodiazepines are the most commonly prescribed medications for anxiety, sedation, and sleep. Read our guide to important questions to ask your pharmacist or doctor before taking a medicine. More informationĪsking about your treatment or medication is important to help you understand your options. There are alternatives to diazepam for muscle spasms, such as heat, exercise, relaxation and other medication. However, adding medicine such as diazepam may be helpful in reducing anxiety symptoms. Psychological treatment, such as cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), is usually the main treatment for anxiety.
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See the CMI for full details about when to speak with your doctor before or after you have started taking diazepam. have a health condition or are taking medication that may affect how your body reacts to diazepam.experience side effects that trouble you.You can also read the Consumer Medicines Information (CMI) leaflet about diazepam. For more information about diazepam, speak to your doctor or pharmacist. This is not a full list of side effects for diazepam. If used over a long period, you can become dependent on diazepam. In general, diazepam should be used only for short periods, around 2 to 4 weeks, unless advised by your doctor. hallucinations (hearing, seeing or smelling things that aren’t there).feelings of restlessness, agitation or anger.Tell your doctor at once or go to the emergency unit of your nearest hospital if you experience any of these symptoms: It can also make you forgetful and dizzy. Diazepam helps most people with anxiety but some people have side effects. What are the possible side effects of diazepam?Īll medicines have benefits but also the risk of side effects. No matter which brand you are prescribed, diazepam works in the same way to treat your condition. forms (tablets, liquid or by injection).It is available in many different brands, which have different: What forms of diazepam are available?ĭiazepam is the name of the active ingredient. Overall, it slows the brain and slows the transmission of information from the brain to the nerves. It works on several different chemicals in the brain. How does diazepam work?ĭiazepam belongs to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines.


If you are unsure about why you are taking diazepam, ask your doctor. Your doctor may have prescribed diazepam for another reason. It can also be used to treat panic attacks as well as symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, such as trembling, confusion and anxiety. Diazepam is also used to relax muscles and treat muscle spasms that occur due to injury and conditions like cerebral palsy and paraplegia. To get diazepam, you need a prescription written for you by a doctor.ĭiazepam is used to treat anxiety that is more serious than that caused by the normal stress of everyday life. What is diazepam used for?ĭiazepam is a medicine mainly used to treat people with anxiety.

LOOKING FOR A MEDICINE? - See this list of medicines that contain diazepam to find out more about a specific medication. Related information on Australian websites.What are the possible side effects of diazepam?.
