Side Effects of Valium (Diazepam)
Valium (diazepam) is a type of benzodiazepine, a class of medications generally prescribed to treat anxiety, panic, and seizure disorders. As with most prescription drugs, Valium can cause side effects. Misuse of Valium or diazepam may increase the likelihood and severity of these side effects.
Keep reading to learn more about Valium side effects, the risks of diazepam misuse, and how to get help for Valium or diazepam addiction.
What Are the Side Effects of Valium Use?
The potential side effects of Valium may vary. Which Valium side effects a person experiences and the severity of those side effects can depend on multiple factors, including whether the person is taking:
- High doses of Valium.
- Valium long-term.
- Valium at the same time as other substances.
Because of its central nervous system depressant effects, as well as its effect on several different neurotransmitter systems, common side effects of Valium or diazepam use may include:
- Impaired motor skills.
- Slowed thinking or thought process.
- Drowsiness.
- Dizziness.
- Slurred speech.
- Muscle weakness.
Sometimes, these Valium side effects may continue into the next day after use.
Less common side effects of Valium or diazepam use include:
- Extreme confusion.
- Disorientation.
- Extreme weakness.
- Significantly reduced energy levels.
- Restlessness.
- Diarrhea.
- Dry mouth.
Rare Valium side effects include:
- Allergic reactions that can include the development of hives or rash, swelling in the face or extremities, difficulty breathing, anxiety, and confusion.
- Gastrointestinal issues that can include nausea, constipation, and other issues.
- Other central nervous system effects, including depression, dysarthria, tremor, headache, and vertigo.
- Problems with vision, such as blurred vision or double vision.
- Cardiovascular issues including significant hypotension; in some cases, increased potential for heart attack.
- Paradoxical reactions, such as becoming very excited, anxious, agitated, irritable, or more aggressive; in some rare cases, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, and/or seizures.
- Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia and nightmares.
- Hallucinations and delusions in some individuals.
- Muscle spasticity.
- Memory issues, such as antereograde amnesia (difficulty forming new memories or remembering events that occurred).
- Liver and kidney damage.
In some cases, individuals who have used Valium for a significant length of time and then discontinue its use may develop a rebound effect. This effect occurs when discontinuation of the drug results in the occurrence of symptoms that the drug originally controlled.
Common rebound effects of Valium or diazepam include:
- Increased anxiety.
- Insomnia.
- Irritability.
- Aggressiveness.
Valium Addiction
Tolerance and physical dependence are other common side effects of taking Valium or diazepam on a regular basis.
Tolerance occurs when the individual no longer gets the same effects from the dosage they have been taking and needs to increase the dose to achieve the desired effects. Tolerance to Valium can develop rapidly.
Individuals who misuse Valium often use it in far greater amounts than the dosages prescribed for medical purposes, and this often results in significant issues with dependence and withdrawal.
Both tolerance and withdrawal can contribute to addiction. For many, the onset of Valium withdrawal symptoms leads to increased drug use, polydrug use, and issues with compulsive behavior that can lead to legal problems, financial issues, and other problems.
Valium Withdrawal Symptoms
Some individuals who use Valium or diazepam on a regular basis for more than several weeks may also develop withdrawal symptoms when they stop using the drug. Valium withdrawal symptoms can be potentially severe and may include:
- Nausea.
- Vomiting.
- Tremors.
- Irritability.
- Restlessness.
- Insomnia.
- Seizures.
In certain situations, withdrawal complications like seizures can occur and may be life-threatening. To ensure safety, medical supervision is recommended when a person decides to stop or reduce their Valium use.
Is Valium Dangerous?
Yes, Valium use can be dangerous and risky. Generally, when Valium or diazepam is used under medical supervision as prescribed, it produces very few side effects.
However, individuals who misuse benzodiazepines often use them in combination with other drugs, such as alcohol. The potential for the development of any rare or serious side effects of Valium increases when a person takes diazepam:
- More frequently than prescribed.
- At higher doses than recommended.
- With other drugs.
This includes issues with aggressiveness, irritability, psychosis, and potential damage to the central nervous system, cardiovascular system, and excretory system.
Valium Overdose
Individuals who take extremely high doses of Valium or diazepam are at risk for overdose, which can include comatose states and a lack of oxygen to the brain that can be potentially fatal.
In addition, individuals who mix different drugs are at an increased risk to develop unpredictable and strange reactions that can be puzzling to even the most experienced emergency room physicians.
People who mix central nervous system depressant drugs (e.g., Valium and alcohol) are also at an increased risk for overdose and the development of unusual side effects.
Find Valium Addiction Treatment in Mississippi
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