Diazepam oral tablet is prescribed for anxiety, certain seizures, muscle spasms, and alcohol withdrawal. It’s prescribed for adults and some children. This drug is swallowed, usually two or more times per day, depending on the dosage.
This article describes diazepam oral tablet’s dosages, strengths, and details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for diazepam.
Diazepam oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Valium. Diazepam also comes in injectable forms, a liquid solution that’s swallowed, a spray that’s administered into the nose, and a gel that’s administered rectally. But these forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about these forms, talk with your doctor.
If you want to know more about diazepam oral tablet, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Boxed warnings
This drug has boxed warnings about the risks of misuse, addiction, dependence, and withdrawal. It also has a boxed warning about the risk of use with opioids. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
See the “Boxed warnings” section below for information about these warnings. You can also talk with your doctor to learn more.
Diazepam oral tablet comes as follows:
- Form: oral tablet that you swallow
- Strengths: 2 milligrams (mg), 5 mg, and 10 mg
Dosage of diazepam
This article describes the recommended dosages* for diazepam oral tablet.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you. Do not change your dosage of diazepam oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.
* The drugmaker provides these recommended dosages. If your doctor prescribes diazepam, be sure to take the dosage they prescribe for you.
Usual recommended dosages of diazepam in adults
Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of diazepam oral tablet. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of diazepam oral tablet that gives the desired outcome.
The information below describes dosages that are commonly prescribed. That said, always take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs.
The following table shows recommended dosages for adults taking diazepam oral tablet.
* For this use, you’ll take diazepam oral tablet together with other medications.
The recommended maximum dosage of diazepam oral tablet is 1 mg per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day. Your doctor will calculate your daily maximum dose using your body weight in kg. For reference, 1 kg equals 2.2 pounds (lb).
Pediatric dosages of diazepam
Diazepam is approved for the uses listed above in certain children. Doctors will prescribe the lowest dosage at first and increase the dosage as needed.
The recommended starting dosage for children ages 6 months to 17 years is 1 mg to 2.5 mg taken three or four times per day. Diazepam in not approved for treating conditions in children younger than 6 months of age.
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Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of diazepam oral tablet based on several factors, including:
- the condition being treated and how severe it is
- your age
- other health conditions you may have
If you have kidney or liver problems, your doctor may have you start taking a lower dosage or adjust your dosage.
Missed dose of diazepam
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot a dose of diazepam oral tablet. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.
For tips on how to plan your doses of diazepam oral tablet and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try downloading a reminder app on your phone or setting an alarm.
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about diazepam oral tablet and its dosage.
Is there a diazepam 5-mg daily dosage recommended for sleep?
Diazepam oral tablet is not approved to help with sleep. For that reason, there isn’t a recommended dosage to help with sleep.
The drug can cause sleepiness as a side effect. If your doctor prescribes diazepam oral tablet for sleep, it would be considered an off-label use. (With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.)
Several medications are approved for treating insomnia (trouble sleeping). And some techniques can be used to help improve sleep.
If you’re thinking about taking diazepam off-label for sleep, keep in mind that diazepam is a controlled substance. (This means its use is regulated by the government because of certain risks the drug carries.) Diazepam has boxed warnings,* including some for risks of misuse, addiction, dependence, and withdrawal. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
If you have trouble sleeping, talk with your doctor about treatments for this condition. They can recommend treatment options that are right for you.
* See the “Boxed warnings” section below for more information about these warnings.
Can diazepam be taken for nerve pain? If so, what is the dosage?
Diazepam oral tablet is not approved to treat nerve pain. For that reason, there isn’t a recommended dosage to treat nerve pain.
Diazepam oral tablet is approved to treat muscle spasms, which can be painful. (It’s taken with other medications for this use.) See the “Dosage of diazepam” section above to view dosages for the drug’s approved uses.
If you’re interested in learning about treatments for nerve pain, talk with your doctor.
Is diazepam taken long term?
No, doctors don’t usually prescribe diazepam oral tablet as a long-term treatment. Instead, it’s usually recommended as a short-term treatment. The safety of taking diazepam for longer than 4 months isn’t known.
If you and your doctor determine that diazepam is safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it short term.
How diazepam is taken
Diazepam comes as a tablet that you take by swallowing, with or without food. In some cases, it’s taken two to four times per day. But for some conditions or in people of certain ages, it’s taken once per day.
You should not drive, operate heavy machinery, or drink alcohol while taking diazepam oral tablet. These activities can be dangerous. This is because diazepam can cause severe drowsiness, dizziness, or slowed reflexes.
As your treatment with diazepam ends, your doctor may slowly decrease your dosage. Doing so can help prevent withdrawal symptoms. (Withdrawal symptoms can occur when you stop taking a drug your body is dependent on. With dependence, your body needs the drug in order to function like usual.)*
If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form. Keep in mind that a diazepam liquid solution is available. You may wish to ask your doctor whether this form is an option for you.
Be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking this medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.
* Diazepam oral tablet has boxed warnings about the risks of dependence and withdrawal. It also has boxed warnings about other risks. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). See the “Boxed warnings” section below for more information about these warnings.
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Overdose of diazepam
It’s important that you do not take more diazepam oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to serious side effects.
Symptoms of diazepam overdose
Symptoms of an overdose can include:
In some cases, overdose may even lead to death.
What to do if you take too much diazepam
If you think you’ve taken too much diazepam, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
Withdrawal from diazepam
Diazepam has a boxed warning for the risks of dependence and withdrawal. It also has boxed warnings about other risks. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
With dependence, your body needs the drug to function like usual. It can lead to withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking the medication suddenly.
Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that could happen after you stop taking a drug that your body is dependent on. Withdrawal symptoms can also happen if your dose is decreased too quickly.
The risk of withdrawal symptoms increases with higher diazepam dosages and longer treatment courses.
Withdrawal symptoms can be severe. In some cases, they may be life threatening. Examples of withdrawal symptoms include:
To help lower your risk of withdrawal symptoms, your doctor will gradually decrease your diazepam dosage when it’s time to end treatment.
If you have questions about withdrawal symptoms with diazepam, talk with your doctor. For more information about the drug’s other boxed warnings, see the “Boxed warnings” section below.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes the usual recommended dosages for diazepam oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.
Do not change your dosage of diazepam oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take diazepam oral tablet exactly as your doctor prescribes it.
Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Does my risk of dependence increase with higher dosages?
- Will you change my dosage if I have kidney or liver problems?
Boxed warnings
This drug has boxed warnings about the risks of misuse, addiction, dependence, and withdrawal. It also has a boxed warning about the risk of use with opioids. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Talk with your doctor if you have concerns or questions about these boxed warnings.
Risks of misuse and addiction. Misusing diazepam can lead to addiction. (With misuse, a drug is taken in a way other than how it’s prescribed. With addiction, a drug is taken even if doing so causes harm.) The risk of overdose, and even death, increases with misuse and addiction.
Risks of dependence and withdrawal. Diazepam carries a risk of dependence. (With dependence, your body needs the drug to function like usual.) The risk increases the longer diazepam is taken. If someone is dependent on diazepam and suddenly stops taking the drug, they may have withdrawal symptoms. And these can be life threatening. For more details, see the “Withdrawal from diazepam” section above.
Risk of use with opioids. Dangerous effects can occur if diazepam is taken with opioid drugs. Possible symptoms include slowed breathing, severe drowsiness, coma, and even death. Examples of opioids include codeine, tramadol (ConZip), and hydrocodone (Hysingla ER). If your doctor prescribes diazepam with an opioid, they’ll monitor you closely during treatment.
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
