$Unique_ID{BRK01923}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{DIAZEPAM}
$Subject{diazepam (various manufacturers)
Diazepam Intensol (Roxene)
Valium (Roche)
Valrelease (Roche)
Vazepam (Major)}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Valium 5*0192301.scf
Valrelease 15*0192303.scf}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


DIAZEPAM
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     diazepam (various manufacturers)
     Diazepam Intensol (Roxene)
     Valium (Roche)
     Valrelease (Roche)
     Vazepam (Major)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Sedative/hypnotic
INGREDIENT:
     diazepam
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Oral solution (5 mg per 5 ml spoonful)
     Oral intensol solution (5 mg per ml)
     Tablets (2 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg)
     Sustained-release capsules (15 mg)
STORAGE:
     This medication should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed,
       light-resistant container.

USES

     Diazepam is prescribed to treat symptoms of anxiety and sometimes to
treat muscle spasms, convulsions, seizures, or alcohol withdrawal.  It is not
clear exactly how this medicine works, but it may relieve anxiety by acting as
a depressant of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).  Diazepam
is currently used by many people to relieve nervousness.  It is effective for
this purpose for short periods, but it is important to try to remove the cause
of the anxiety as well.

TREATMENT

     The oral intensol solution should be mixed with a nonalcoholic liquid or
semi-solid food such as water, juice, soda or soda-like beverages, applesauce,
or pudding.  Use only the calibrated dropper provided.  Stir the liquid or
food gently for a few seconds after adding the oral intensol solution.  The
entire amount of the mixture should be consumed immediately.  Do not store
prepared mixtures for future use.  The tablet or capsule form of this
medication should be taken exactly as directed by your doctor.  It can be
taken with food or a full glass of water if stomach upset occurs.  Do not take
this medication with a dose of antacids, since they may retard its absorption.
     If you are taking this medication regularly and you miss a dose and
remember within an hour, take the missed dose immediately.  If more than an
hour has passed, skip the dose you missed and wait for the next scheduled
dose.  Do not double the next dose.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Bitter taste in the mouth, constipation, depression, diarrhea, dizziness,
drowsiness (after a night's sleep), dry mouth, excessive salivation, fatigue,
flushing, headache, heartburn, loss of appetite, nausea, nervousness,
sweating, or vomiting.  These side effects should disappear as your body
adjusts to the medication.
     To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     Dry mouth can be relieved by chewing sugarless gum or by sucking on ice
chips.
     If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down for a while; get up slowly
from a sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
blurred or double vision, chest pain, difficulty in urinating, fainting,
falling, fever, joint pain, hallucinations, mouth sores, nightmares,
palpitations, rash, severe depression, shortness of breath, slurred speech,
sore throat, uncoordinated movements, unusual excitement, unusual tiredness,
or yellowing of the eyes or skin.

INTERACTIONS

     This medication interacts with several other types of medications:
     1. To prevent oversedation, this drug should not be taken with alcohol,
other sedative drugs, or central nervous system depressants (such as
antihistamines, barbiturates, muscle relaxants, pain medicines, narcotics,
medicines for seizures, and tranquilizers), or with antidepressants.
     2. This medication may decrease the effectiveness of carbamazepine,
levodopa, and oral anticoagulants (blood thinners) and may increase the
effects of phenytoin.
     3. Disulfiram, oral contraceptives (birth control pills), isoniazid,
fluoxetine, valproic acid, propranolol, metoprolol, and cimetidine can
increase the blood levels of diazepam, which can lead to toxic effects.
     4. Concurrent use of rifampin may decrease the effectiveness of diazepam.
     BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
taking, especially any of those listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to diazepam or other benzodiazepine tranquilizers
(such as alprazolam, flurazepam, halazepam, lorazepam, oxazepam, prazepam,
temazepam, and triazolam).
     * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had liver disease,
kidney disease, epilepsy, lung disease, myasthenia gravis, porphyria, mental
depression, or mental illness.  This medicine can cause drowsiness.  Avoid
tasks that require alertness, such as driving a car or operating potentially
dangerous machinery.
     * This medication has the potential for abuse and must be used with
caution.  Tolerance may develop quickly; do not increase your dosage of the
drug without first consulting your doctor.  It is also important not to stop
taking this drug suddenly if you have been taking it in large amounts or if
you have used it for several weeks.  Your doctor may want to reduce your
dosage gradually.
     * This is a safe drug when used properly.  When it is combined with other
sedative drugs or alcohol, however, serious side effects can develop.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  This medicine may
increase the chance of birth defects if it is taken during the first three
months of pregnancy.  In addition, too much use of this medicine during the
last six months of pregnancy may cause the baby to become dependent on it,
resulting in withdrawal side effects in the newborn.  Also, use of this
medicine during the last weeks of pregnancy may cause excessive drowsiness,
slowed heartbeat, and breathing difficulties in the infant.  Tell your doctor
if you are breast-feeding an infant.  This medicine can pass into breast milk
and cause excessive drowsiness, slowed heartbeat, and breathing difficulties
in nursing infants.

----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
