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Last updated: November 2021
Therapeutic action
- Anxiolytic, sedative, anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant
Indications
- Severe anxiety, insomnia and agitation
Forms and strengths
- 2 mg and 5 mg tablets
Dosage and duration
Anxiety
- Adult: 2.5 to 5 mg 2 times daily for 2 to 3 weeks max. reducing the dose by half the last days before stopping treatment
Insomnia
- Adult: 2 to 5 mg once daily at bedtime for 7 days max.
Agitation
- Adult: 10 mg single dose
Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions
- Do not administer to patients with severe respiratory insufficiency, severe hepatic impairment or symptoms of acute alcohol intoxication.
- Administer with caution and reduce the dose by half in older patients and in patients with renal or hepatic impairment.
- May cause:
- drowsiness, impaired concentration, memory loss, confusion, muscle weakness;
- dependence and tolerance if prolonged treatment;
- withdrawal syndrome or rebound effect if prolonged treatment is discontinued abruptly;
- ataxia, hypotonia, hypotension, confusion, lethargy, respiratory depression, coma in the event of overdose, hyperactive or aggressive behaviour.
- Monitor combination with:
- drugs acting on the central nervous system: opioid analgesics, antipsychotics (chlorpromazine, haloperidol, etc.), antihistamines (hydroxyzine, promethazine), antidepressants (fluoxetine, etc.), phenobarbital, etc.;
- fluconazole, erythromycin, omeprazole, ritonavir, isoniazid (effect of diazepam increased);
- phenobarbital (effect of diazepam decreased).
- Avoid alcohol during treatment.
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: avoid
Remarks
- Diazepam is subject to international controls: follow national regulations.
Storage
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– Below 25 °C