DIAZEPAM oral

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    Last updated: November 2021

     

     

     
    Prescription under medical supervision

     

    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