DIAZEPAM oral

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