HeadMeds gives young people in the United Kingdom general information about medication. HeadMeds does not give you medical advice. Please talk to your Doctor or anyone else who is supporting you about your own situation because everyone is different. Please read more important details about our site.

Diazepam

"Die-A-zi-pam"
Medication type:

Benzodiazepine medicine

Other names:
  • Valium "VAL-ee-um"
Clare listing
Taking Setraline, Diazepam and Mirtazpine: Clare's story
The medication my doctor prescribed me has helped me to ease back into everyday life.

What can it be used for?

  • 18 & Over
    If you are 18 or over, the doctor can prescribe diazepam for you as a licensed medicine for anxiety or sleep loss (insomnia), or to help people who are giving up alcohol, or to relax people before an operation like dental surgery
  • Under 18
    If you are under 18, there is less research about its use and effectiveness in young people. Even so, specialists might prescribe it ‘off label’ if it is the best medicine for you

Ways to take and what's in it?

  • Tablets

    2mg, 5mg or 10mg tablets

  • Liquids

    2mg in 5ml or 5mg in 5ml

  • Injections

    10mg in 2ml

Use and Action

Diazepam can be used for a number of conditions,

It can help to increase the levels of the chemical GABA in your brain

Warnings and side effects

If you have any thoughts of suicide, or of other ways of hurting yourself, go straight to a hospital with your tablets. This may be a side-effect, and you need urgent help.

Sex, drink, weight and everything else

Issues like alcohol, driving, concentration, sports, weight, sex life and fertility

Last updated: 16 June 2015
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