Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved diazepam oral tablets to treat several conditions. It may be prescribed to adults and some children for the following:
- generalized anxiety disorder
- symptoms of anxiety for a short period of time
- symptoms caused by alcohol withdrawal, including muscle tremors
- muscle spasm, taken with other medications for this condition
- certain types of seizure, taken with other medications for this condition
This article describes possible side effects (also known as adverse effects) of diazepam oral tablet. 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 an oral solution that you swallow, an injectable form, and a gel form. But these forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about these forms, talk with your doctor.
You can explore this overview article to learn more about diazepam oral tablet, including the drug’s uses, dosage, and more.
Boxed warnings
Diazepam has boxed warnings for the following:
- risk when taking with opioid drugs
- risk of misuse and addiction*
- risk of dependence and withdrawal*
Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For details about the risk when taking with opioid drugs, see the “Side effects of diazepam in detail” section below. For details about the risk of misuse and addiction and the risk of dependence and withdrawal, see the “Withdrawal, dependence, and misuse of diazepam” section below.
Due to these risks, it’s important to take diazepam only as your doctor prescribes. For details about this, see “What are the overdose symptoms of diazepam?” in the “Common questions about side effects of diazepam” section below.
* This warning is shown in the prescribing information for Valium, which is the brand-name version of diazepam oral tablet.
More common side effects of diazepam
Diazepam oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of diazepam oral tablet include:
- drowsiness
- fatigue
- muscle weakness
- ataxia (lack of muscle control and coordination)
Mild side effects of diazepam
Diazepam may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be managed easily. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of diazepam oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
- drowsiness
- fatigue
- muscle weakness
- ataxia (lack of muscle control and coordination)
- slurred speech
- memory problems, including memory loss or difficulty forming new memories
- mild movement problems, such as tremors
- libido (sex drive) changes
- incontinence
- urinary retention
- constipation
- nausea
- changes in saliva, including dry mouth or excessive saliva
- headache*
- dizziness*
- mild allergic reaction†
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of diazepam in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with diazepam oral tablet. But it wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
Diazepam oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
Serious side effects of diazepam
Diazepam may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from diazepam oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with diazepam oral tablet.
Serious side effects of diazepam oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
- inability to safely perform hazardous activities that require coordination, such as driving or operating machinery
- serious movement problems, such as uncontrolled muscle movements
- central nervous system depression
- depression and other mental health side effects, including:
- hallucinations
- aggressiveness or rage
- psychosis
- delusions
- sleep problems, including insomnia (trouble sleeping)
- blurry or double vision
- risk when taking with opioid drugs*
- risk of dependence and withdrawal†
- risk of misuse and addiction†
- severe allergic reaction‡
* Diazepam oral tablet has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effects of diazepam in detail” section below.
† Diazepam oral tablet has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Withdrawal, dependence, and misuse of diazepam” section below.
‡ An allergic reaction is possible with diazepam oral tablet. But it wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
Side effects of diazepam in children
Diazepam is approved for use in children ages 6 months and older. Side effects in children receiving diazepam treatment are typically similar to those seen in adults.
But children taking diazepam have a higher risk of certain side effects than adults. These include mental health side effects, such as:
- hallucinations
- irritability
- aggressiveness or rage
- psychosis
- delusions
- sleep problems, including insomnia (trouble sleeping)
If you notice changes in your child’s mood, behavior, or other mental health symptoms, call their doctor immediately. The doctor will likely stop diazepam treatment.
Common questions about side effects of diazepam
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of diazepam oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Do the different strengths of diazepam, such as 5 mg or 2 mg, cause different side effects?
No, different strengths of diazepam aren’t expected to cause different side effects.
But compared with a lower dose, a higher dose of diazepam can increase the risk of side effects. These include a higher risk of memory problems and dependence.*
Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about side effects regarding your diazepam dosage.
* Diazepam oral tablet has a boxed warning for dependence. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Withdrawal, dependence, and misuse of diazepam” section below.
How do the side effects of diazepam in older adults compare with those seen in younger adults?
Diazepam usually causes the same side effects in older and younger adults. (Older adults are usually considered ages 65 years and older.)
But, adults ages 65 years and older are at higher risk of certain side effects from diazepam treatment. In particular, they are at higher risk for the following side effects:
- difficulty concentrating
- drowsiness
- memory loss
- problems with balance and coordination
Drowsiness and problems with balance place older adults at an increased risk of falls. And falls can lead to broken bones and other complications. To help lower these risks, doctors often prescribe a lower diazepam dosage to older adults.
Talk with your doctor if you’d like to know how your age might affect your diazepam treatment.
Is diazepam available as a suppository? If so, what are the side effects of the suppository form?
No, diazepam isn’t available as a suppository.
The rectal gel Diastat contains diazepam. This brand-name medication is available in a generic form called diazepam rectal gel.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re interested in learning more about Diastat or its generic.
What are the overdose symptoms of diazepam?
Overdose symptoms reported with diazepam include:
- drowsiness
- confusion
- sluggishness or extreme tiredness
- loss of reflexes or muscle control
- low blood pressure
- slowed, shallow breathing
- coma
In extreme cases, diazepam overdose has resulted in death.
It’s important to only take diazepam as prescribed by your doctor and not take a different dosage. Doing so helps prevent overdose.
If you think you’ve taken too much diazepam, call your doctor right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers or use its online tool. But if your symptoms seem life threatening, call 911 or a local emergency phone number. You can also go to the nearest emergency room right away.
Does diazepam cause long-term side effects?
Yes, it can cause long-term side effects, but this is rare.
Long-term side effects can occur at any point during diazepam treatment. They can occur even if you’ve taken the drug for a long time without the side effect. They also include side effects that may start or continue after stopping the drug.
Long-term side effects reported with diazepam include:
- depression
- inability to safely perform hazardous activities that require coordination, such as driving or operating machinery
- movement problems, such as muscle tremors or uncontrolled muscle movements
- central nervous system depression
- risk of misuse and addiction*
- risk of dependence and withdrawal*
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have additional questions about diazepam and long-term side effects the drug may cause.
* Diazepam oral tablet has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Withdrawal, dependence, and misuse of diazepam” section below.
Withdrawal, dependence, and misuse of diazepam
Diazepam has a boxed warning about the risk of misuse and addiction. It also has a boxed warning regarding the risk of dependence and withdrawal. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Note: Diazepam also has a boxed warning about the risk when taking it with opioid drugs. For more information, see the “Side effects of diazepam in detail” section below.
Diazepam and the risk of misuse and addiction
It’s possible to misuse diazepam. With misuse, a person takes a drug in a way other than how it’s prescribed. Taking a drug such as diazepam to get “high” is an example of drug misuse.
Misusing diazepam can lead to addiction to the drug. With addiction, any of the following may occur:
- neglecting work, school, or social obligations due to misusing the drug
- continuing to misuse the drug despite the negative consequences it’s causing
- inability to stop misusing the drug
(Note: Addiction is not the same as drug dependence. See the “Diazepam and the risk of dependence and withdrawal” section below for more information.)
Diazepam misuse and addiction can cause serious central nervous system (CNS) depression. (The CNS includes your brain and spinal cord. It controls activities throughout your body). Serious CNS depression can cause life threatening side effects, including trouble breathing, seizure, and coma. In rare cases, it can be fatal. The risk is raised when you take diazepam with other medications or substances (such as alcohol) that also depress your CNS.
Because of these risks, diazepam is a controlled substance in the United States. This means it’s a prescription medication with strict regulations concerning how healthcare professionals may prescribe and dispense it. These regulations help prevent possible misuse and addiction.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about diazepam and misuse or addiction.
Diazepam and the risk of dependence and withdrawal
It’s possible to become dependent on diazepam, even when taking it at recommended doses. Drug dependence occurs when your body needs a drug to function like usual. (It’s also possible to be dependent on a drug but not addicted to it.)
Withdrawal describes symptoms that can occur when you stop taking a drug on which your body is dependent. Withdrawal is possible when suddenly stopping diazepam, and symptoms can range from mild to serious. They include:
- headache
- appetite loss
- depersonalization (feeling detached from yourself or reality, as if you’re living in a movie)
- depression
- diarrhea
- difficulty concentrating
- feeling tense or irritable
- insomnia (trouble sleeping)
- mood changes
- muscle tremors or cramps
- seizures
- suicidal thoughts
Because of the risk of withdrawal, you should:
- not stop taking diazepam unless your doctor tells you to do so
- not adjust your diazepam dose
- not use the medication in a way that is different from how your doctor tells you to take it
If you and your doctor agree that you’ll stop taking diazepam, your doctor will slowly lower your dose of the drug over time. This is called a drug taper. Following a drug taper lowers your risk of withdrawal symptoms.
Suicide prevention
If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:
- Call the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
- Text HOME to the Crisis Textline at 741741.
- Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
- Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.
If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.
If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.
