Diazepam: what it is and what are its effects

Diazepam (better known by its trade name Valium ®) It is a drug belonging to the family of anxiolytics and hypnotics.. To this day, this type of psychotropic derived from benzodiazepines continues to be one of the most administered (and effective) for the treatment of anxiety, insomnia, panic attacks and as a sedative prior to certain interventions.

We have all heard of diazepam. What’s more, we may have been prescribed it at some point or it is possible that someone close to us is one of those patients who are used to having it on their nightstand. The World Health Organization (WHO) itself has it included in its list of essential medicines. for a very specific reason: it is one of the most effective and used standard benzodiazepines today.

However, there is one fact that we cannot ignore. Its use is so frequent that sometimes we normalize its administration. However, this is not a harmless medicine. Diazepam, like other benzodiazepines, carries a high risk of dependence. Its administration must be punctual, controlled and limited in time.

Diazepam: uses and mechanism of action

Diazepam was the second benzodiazepine invented by Leo Sternbach around the 1960s.. It is five times more powerful than its predecessor, chlordiazepoxide. Until then, doctors prescribed their patients the classic barbiturates, drugs with a high level of dependence and with quite serious side effects.

This drug was considered for a few years as the “miracle drug.” However, little by little doctors became aware that these pills were not as harmless as initially believed. That is why, currently, it is prescribed with greater caution.

What is diazepam?

Diazepam is a psychotropic drug. That is to say, It is a depressant of the central nervous system. Therefore, whether we like it or not, what the famous Valium ® does, like the rest of the benzodiazepines, is “decrease” the activity of the brain.

They achieve this by acting in different areas of the limbic system, the thalamus and the hypothalamus. In addition, One of its main advantages is that it does not interact with the autonomic nervous system.. That is, it will not produce any extrapyramidal side effects (motor problems such as dyskinesias or dystonias).

Neuroscientists deduce that its action begins by binding to GABA receptors to enhance its activity, which achieves inhibitory activity of the nervous system. This is a mechanism common to several benzodiazepines.

After that, the functioning of certain areas of the brain slow down to experience a prolonged state of drowsiness, decrease in anxiety and relaxation of muscles.

What is diazepam used for?

Given its sedative and hypnotic effects, diazepam has the following uses:

Muscle paresis (weakness) secondary to brain injuries or problems. Seizures and status epilepticus. Withdrawal from alcohol and opiates. Sedation before certain procedures. Insomnia, although its use for these purposes is highly questioned. Only under medical control and supervision could it be indicated.Anxiety, panic attacks and states of agitation.Mood disorders such as mania. It is usually used in combination with lithium, valproate or neuroleptics.Depression with suicidal ideation, in combination with antidepressants.

How does diazepam work?

Diazepam can be taken orally, intravenously, intramuscularly, or rectally. Its oral administration is always recommended because it is absorbed quickly and well. It reaches the bloodstream in a short time and its mechanism of action begins after 15 or 45 minutes. The pharmacokinetics of this medication are as follows:

Once in the blood, it is redistributed throughout all tissues. Soon it reaches the brain and the entire nervous system, since it has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier.Once here, and as we already know, it facilitates the inhibitory action of the neurotransmitter gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA). In this way we benefit from its relaxing and hypnotic effect.The metabolism of diazepam takes place in the liver. This drug has a fairly long life (between 30 and 60 hours), therefore, we need this organ to be healthy to be able to metabolize it effectively.

Dose

The doses will be adjusted by the specialist doctor based on our needs. However, they are always between 5 and 10 milligrams (mg) per day. The maximum dose should never exceed 40 mg daily.

Can you take diazepam without a prescription?

Diazepam that should only be ingested by medical prescription. It is not recommended to take it without a prescription or medical supervision because it can cause dependence. To reduce this risk, it is pertinent to keep the following suggestions in mind:

Consult your doctor regularly. Do not take the medication without a prescription or medical supervision. Do not increase the prescribed dose or prolong treatment.

What side effects does diazepam have?

We pointed it out at the beginning: The duration of treatment should be short, supervised by our doctor, not exceed 8-12 weeks and never exceed the prescribed doses.. Beyond this period of time, and if we exceed the recommended doses (or if we combine them with others on our own) the consequences can be serious.

Let’s now see what side effects diazepam has, according to information from Vademecum. It is worth mentioning that the effects are common to most benzodiazepines.

Most common side effects of diazepam

FatigueAtaxiaDizzinessTremorNauseaDry mouthConfusionDepressionRashIrritabilityDrowsinessDisinhibitionConstipationBalance problemsCoordination problemsSmall memory lapsesImpaired motor function

Serious side effects

DelusionsSyncopeBradycardiaHypotensionHallucinationsYellowing skin and eyesCardiovascular collapseWithdrawal symptomsUnusual mood swings

Sometimes, it is possible to develop a dependency condition. Symptoms can be mild (tremors, nervousness, headaches, difficulty speaking fluently) or severe (tachycardia, lack of muscle coordination and weakness, irregular breathing, changes in consciousness and extreme drowsiness).

What to do in cases of overdose?

In these cases, it is necessary to call the local emergency line or go to the nearest health center. When referring to a health center, it is useful for family members to have, to the extent possible, the following information about the patient:

Diazepam contraindications and general precautions

Diazepam can have a harmful effect in certain conditions. Therefore, you should avoid taking this medicine if you suffer from the following:

Myasthenia gravis. A disorder of the nervous system that causes muscle weakness. Hypersensitivity to benzodiazepines. Diseases of the lungs or liver. It is also not recommended for women who are breastfeeding. Breathing problems or sleep apnea (condition in which a person briefly stops breathing for several times during the night).

Diazepam should not be administered during pregnancy, as the medication can cross the placenta, accumulate in the fetal circulation, and cause complications in newborns.. Patients over 65 years of age should consult their doctor first, as older adults are at greater risk of suffering adverse effects due to interactions with other medications.

Because this medication may cause drowsiness, it is recommended Do not drive any vehicle or operate machinery until the patient knows how it affects them.

Lastly, it must avoid concomitant use of barbiturates, alcohol or other central nervous system depressantssince they promote cardiorespiratory depression.

How to store or discard diazepam

To store this medication, the following suggestions should be taken into account:

Place it in a safe place that is out of the sight and reach of children. Keep it in its original container and properly closed. Use safety lids so that children do not open it. Store it at room temperature and away from heat. or humidity.

When disposing of the medication, it is important that it is not left anywhere, much less if it is within reach of children, pets or other people. To do this, it is best to talk to your pharmacist or contact your local recycling people to learn about medication take-back programs.

The problem of anxiolytics

Let’s think that a good part of the population that receives treatment for anxiety usually takes diazepam for quite long periods, which means generating dependence and tolerance to the drug. This means that little by little we will need higher doses to achieve the same effect and our health will be the one that will lose.

Psychotropic drugs, although valid in many cases, are not always the best option. Chemistry numbs, relaxes and alleviates worries, but it does not solve problems. It’s like putting on crutches when you’ve had a serious leg injury: the crutches allow you to walk, but once you leave them, if there is no other type of intervention, you will remain unable.

In this sense, let’s use the crutches, but let’s not give up the operation (psychological treatment). Let’s make room for the psychological approach and give our body and our health the opportunity to not acquire a dependency to live.

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