Diazepam Overview
by
site editor Marlene S. Hodge, last update: 5/11/2012 1:26:32 PM.
sleep, valium
Diazepam is one of the most prescribed and used drugs of the last fifty years, though most people would know it by its commercial name Valium. Originally developed in the late 1960s, Diazepam was the first of a group of drugs called benzodiazepines to gain widespread use and the term Valium is now a house hold name. Diazepam is even on the World Health Organization's list of drugs that are needed to sustain a basic health care system. In countries which execute, diazepam is commonly part of the lethal injection "drug cocktail." Diazepam was so popular at one point it was in fact the top selling pharmaceutical product between 1969 - 1982.
Diazepam has been used to treat a multitude of conditions, from alcohol withdrawal, to seizures, to uncontrolled muscle spasms. The most common use of Diazepam is the treatment of anxiety, severe agitation and insomnia. Like most benzodiazepines, the majority of doctors would only prescribe it for short term use except in extenuating circumstances. This is for a number of reasons; the first being that Diazepam is habit forming. The recreational use of Diazepam is not uncommon. Over time drug tolerance is also developed, and Diazepam becomes less effective the longer it is taken. Another reason Diazepam is generally reserved for short term use is that dependency can easily be formed, where a person becomes unable to sleep or deal with anxiety without the use of Diazepam.
The list of side effects of Diazepam is quite similar to other drugs of the benzodiazepine family. It can be damaging to the liver, it can cause headache, rash and loss of sex drive. Less frequently the side effects include blurred vision, hallucinations, confusion and disorientation and in some cases the use of Diazepam can exacerbate insomnia. Diazepam interacts with many other drugs and side effects as well as the risk of overdose are increased if used with alcohol. An overdose of Diazepam can be fatal, so used as prescribed and don't "double up" if you miss a dose. Diazepam should not be taken by pregnant or nursing mothers.
Like most prescription drugs for the treatment of insomnia and anxiety, alternatives should first be examined. In some cases the use of Diazepam can be disruptive to your life and have negative health effects. For this reason methods like introspection and cognitive therapy are preferable to prescription drugs. Herbal alternatives to Diazepam are also quite effective and many are recommended by psychologists and psychiatrists before more drastic steps such as Diazepam are taken. If you have been taking Diazepam for a long period of time, cessation can be difficult, though herbal supplements can make it easier.
Valium is a trademark of Roche Pharmaceuticals.