Monograph Details

Central Nervous System > Anxiety/OCD
VALIUM
Manufacturer
Roche Laboratories
Legal Classification
CIV
Pharmacological Class
Benzodiazepine.
Generic Name
Diazepam 2mg, 5mg, 10mg; scored tabs.
Also
VALIUM INJECTION
Indications
Anxiety.
Children
<6months: not recommended. ≥6months: initially 1–2.5mg 3–4 times daily; increase gradually.
Adults
2–10mg 2–4 times daily. Elderly, debilitated: initially 2–2.5mg 1–2 times daily; increase gradually.
Contraindications
Acute narrow-angle glaucoma.
Precautions
Not for use in untreated open-angle glaucoma. Inj not for use in shock, coma, acute alcohol intoxication, or obstetrical conditions. Discontinue if paradoxical reaction occurs. Drug or alcohol abuse. Depression. Suicidal tendencies. Renal or liver dysfunction. Avoid abrupt cessation. May increase tonic-clonic seizures. Reevaluate periodically. Monitor blood counts, liver function. Elderly. Debilitated. Psychosis, pregnancy, nursing mothers: not recommended.
Interactions
Potentiates CNS depression with alcohol, other CNS depressants (consider reducing opioid doses by at least ⅓). Increased serum levels with cimetidine. Potentiated by sertraline. Inj: hypotension, muscle weakness with narcotics, barbiturates, alcohol.
Adverse Reactions
CNS depression, ataxia, memory impairment, paradoxical excitement, salivation changes, neutropenia, jaundice. Inj: apnea, cardiac arrest, venous thrombosis, phlebitis, status epilepticus (when treating petit mal).
How Supplied
Tabs 2mg—100
Tabs 5mg, 10mg—100, 500
Vials (10mL)—1
Additional Resources
Related Prescribing Note