Valium when does it take effect

If you have taken diazepam with street drugs or alcohol, you could get very serious side effects. Go to hospital immediately and tell doctors everything you have taken so they can help you. Diazepam can cause serious side effects: allergic reactions difficulty breathing, swelling of your face or throat, itching skin lumps , and other serious symptoms that you can find listed here.

Go to a hospital if you get any of these symptoms, taking your medication with you. Go to a doctor or hospital straight away if you get any of the following symptoms, as they might be part of an allergic reaction:. Like all medications, diazepam can cause some side effects, and in some cases they can be serious. Do not stop taking the tablets until you talk to your doctor, or you may get withdrawal symptoms.

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View shareable links View Basket : 0 items. Guide Menu for Diazepam. Hide Show guide menu. Guide contents jump to section About diazepam Diazepam and everyday life Uses, warnings, safety and side effects About this information More information and advice.

Taking sertraline, diazepam and mirtazapine: Clare's story. About diazepam. Please note. Always talk to your doctor about your situation and whether this medication is for you. Thinking about trying medication? Read our guide. How diazepam works. Diazepam and everyday life. Frequently asked questions. How long does it take to start working? Will it have any effect on my weight? Diazepam does not usually affect your weight. Should I tell my family and friends I am taking it?

Will it affect my sleep? Diazepam may make you feel very sleepy, and this can carry on into the next day. If your sleep is negatively affected by diazepam, you should discuss this with your doctor. Can I drink alcohol, take street drugs or smoke while taking it? Alcohol Be very careful drinking alcohol while taking diazepam. Street drugs Diazepam does not mix well with street drugs. It is very easy, and serious, to overdose with any combination of diazepam and drugs. Smoking If you start or stop smoking while you are taking diazepam, you may have to change your dose.

If you re start smoking, you might need to increase it again. Go to your doctor for advice if you stop or start smoking. Can I take it with other medications? If you are taking any other medicines, some dose adjustments may be required to ensure you get the best from the diazepam with as few side effects as possible Tell the pharmacist you are taking diazepam if you buy medicines over the counter for common complaints, including tablets and topical medicines things you put on your skin.

Are there any other interactions I should know about? Can I drive while taking it? So how long does diazepam last? In some ways, the answer to this question is irrelevant. Absolute Awakenings follows an evidence-based approach to treating substance abuse disorders. We are committed to providing long-term recovery for those struggling with addiction.

Recovery is not a one size fits all approach. Our recovery specialists are waiting to assist you. Call us today! Partial Care. Intensive Outpatient. Outpatient Treatment. Co-Occurring Disorders. Trauma Informed Care Program. Recovery Capital. It depends on which country you're travelling to. Different countries have different rules and regulations for diazepam.

It's important to plan ahead and find out whether you can take your medicine abroad. It's best to only take the amount that you need while abroad. You can contact the embassy for the country you're visiting. The GOV. UK website has a full list of foreign embassies in the UK. If you have anxiety, there are some lifestyle changes you can make to help ease symptoms:. If you're having trouble sleeping, there are some things you can do to help yourself get a good night's sleep:.

Page last reviewed: 25 February Next review due: 25 February Diazepam On this page About diazepam Key facts Who can and can't take diazepam How and when to take it Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions. About diazepam Diazepam belongs to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines.

Diazepam is available on prescription only. Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today? The most common side effect is feeling drowsy. You're not recommended to use diazepam for longer than 4 weeks. If you take diazepam and feel sleepy, do not drive or use tools or machines. Do not drink alcohol while taking diazepam. It can make you sleep very deeply. You may have breathing problems and difficulty waking up.

It's also known as Valium, but this brand is not available in the UK anymore. It can also be taken by children aged 1 month or older for muscle spasms. Diazepam rectal tubes can be used by adults and children. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor before starting diazepam if you: have had an allergic reaction to diazepam or any other medicine in the past have liver or kidney problems have myasthenia gravis , a condition that causes muscle weakness have sleep apnoea , a condition that causes breathing problems when you're asleep have depression or thoughts of harming yourself or suicide have been diagnosed with personality disorder have or have had problems with alcohol or drugs have recently had a loss or bereavement have arteriosclerosis , a condition that affects the blood flow to your brain have low levels of a protein called albumin in your blood are trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or breastfeeding are over 65 are going to be put to sleep have a general anaesthetic for an operation or other medical treatment.

Rectal tube Diazepam rectal tubes or rectal diazepam can be used if you or your child is having a fit. Tablets and liquid Take diazepam tablets or liquid with a drink of water. You'll usually take your medicine 1 to 3 times a day. The usual dose for: anxiety - is 2mg taken 3 times a day. This can be increased to 5mg to 10mg 3 times a day. This can be given as 1mg twice a day and go up to 5mg 3 times a day. The dose can be increased up to 20mg 3 times a day if needed.

It's usually given twice a day, with 10 to 12 hours between each dose. What if I forget to take it? What if I take too much? Common side effects These common side effects happen in more than 1 in people. If you get these side effects, keep taking the medicine and speak to your doctor: feeling sleepy or drowsy confusion problems with your co-ordination or controlling your movements shaky hands tremors Serious side effects It happens rarely, but some people have serious side effects when taking diazepam.

Tell a doctor straight away if: your breathing becomes very slow or shallow your skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow you find it difficult to remember things amnesia you see or hear things that are not there hallucinations you think things that are not true delusions you keep falling over On very rare occasions, some people may experience unusual mood changes. Tell your doctor if you notice any of these side effects: talking too much or feeling overexcited feeling agitated or restless feeling irritable or aggressive Serious allergic reaction In rare cases, diazepam may cause a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis.

Information: You can report any suspected side effect to the UK safety scheme. If you experience any other side effect, speak to your doctor. If you become pregnant while taking diazepam, speak to your doctor.

Diazepam and breastfeeding If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, diazepam can be used during breastfeeding as long as you're only taking a low dose of diazepam occasionally or for a very short time. Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you're:. Important For safety, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements.

Moreover, absorption is delayed and reduced when administered with a moderately fatty meal. There is also an increase in the average time needed to achieve peak blood concentrations to around 2. Generally, if consumed orally without food, diazepam will be fully absorbed in the bloodstream from between 25 minutes to one hour.

That is when the time a person will start experiencing its effects. Valium diazepam is a long-acting benzodiazepine benzo generally prescribed for anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Also, less commonly, it may be used to treat alcohol dependence, insomnia, and seizures. This chemical decreases activity and leads to feelings of relaxation and reward. Valium is classified by the Drug Enforcement Administration as a Schedule IV substance, as are other benzodiazepine drugs in its class.

This designation indicates that it does have a legitimate medical purpose but can be habit-forming. It can possibly lead to abuse, dependence , and addiction. However, this potential is relatively low compared to drugs on higher schedules, such as the following:. As a long-acting benzo, Valium remains in the body longer and produces effects that last longer than short-acting benzos. However, due to unique factors and the fact that the half-life has a relatively wide range, a person should probably expect that it will be closer to the longer side of this spectrum.

A drug test for Valium can be performed using samples of blood, urine, saliva, or hair follicles. The length of time the drug remains detectable depends on numerous factors, including the following:. Hair follicle testing can detect Valium for up to 90 days.