Valium

Brand Name = Valium

Generic Name = Diazepam

Valium, a product of Roche Incl., is a prescription-based anti-anxiety drug meant for the short term management of anxiety disorders. Valium belongs to the group of medicines commonly known as benzodiazepines and has been marketed by Hoffmann-La Roche for the first time.

Valium contains Diazepam as the principal active ingredient. Valium also comprises of several inactive components, namely, corn starch, pregelatinized starch, anhydrous lactose and calcium stearate with these dyes: Valium 10 mg tablets contain dyes such as FD&C Blue No.1 while Valium 5 mg tablets contain dyes, namely, FD&C Yellow No. 6 and D&C Yellow No. 10. However, Valium 2 mg tablets don’t contain any dye.

Valium& FDA Approval
Valium has been duly approved by the FDA (Food and Drugs Administration) for sale in the US.

Valium Mechanism
Valium functions by decreasing chemical movement in the brain that further yields a significant reduction in muscle spasm, decreases nervous tension (anxiety) and relaxes or calms down the patient.

Valium Dosage & Usage
Valium is available in 2, 5 and 10 mg fixed Valium dosages and if required, the strengths of Valium dosages can be increased. Valium dosages should be taken in accordance with the instructions of a physician only.

Valium Precautions
Some of the Valium precautionary measures are given below:

• You should not use Valium at any cost if you are suffering from kidney diseases, severe liver problems, psychosis or if you are in the grip of acute narrow-angle glaucoma.
• In case you have allergy to any specific Valium ingredient, you should not take the medicine.
• Before administering Valium, you should also inform the physician if you are taking a specific dietary supplement, any herbal remedy or any prescription/ non-prescription-based medication.
• You should also not opt for Valium if you are continuously taking sodium oxybate (GHB) or an HIV protease inhibitor such as ritonavir.

Altogether, before using Valium, don’t forget to inform the doctor if you are suffering from specified medical conditions as certain medical conditions may interact with this anti-anxiety drug. Most particularly, before taking Valium, inform the doctor immediately if you are in the grip of:

• Liver problems
• Glaucoma or likely to be affected by glaucoma,
• Adefinite tendency to commit suicide, depression and muscle problems
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD
• Alcohol or other intoxicating substances.

Valium Drug Interactions
You need to be careful while taking the anti-anxiety medicine Valium as this medication may disastrously interact with several other drugs. Besides, before administering Valium, it is necessary to inform your physician if you are taking the following medicines:

• Namely, disulfiram, Clozapine, narcotic pain relievers such as morphine and codeine, omeprazole, nefazodone, HIV protease inhibitors such as ritonavir, sodium oxybate (GHB) or valproic acid.
• Also, inform your doctor if you are administering medicines rifampin, Hydantoins such as phenytoin and St. John's wort.

Valium Side-Effects
Like other medicines Valium too is capable of triggering off side-effects. Some of the common side-effects resulting from Valium are detailed below:

• Dizziness, tiredness, drowsiness, difficulty in breathing and sleeping, dry mouth and physical weakness
• Headache, unclear vision and loss of memory for a short time

However, Valium also yields a whole array of serious side-effects. These are as follows:

• Swelling in several parts of the body such as lips, tongue, mouth and face
• Breathing problems
• Difficulty in speaking and sleeping, an increase in muscle spasm, not able to control urination, eye movement that occurs involuntarily

Valium Storage:
Valium should be stored at a specific room temperature of 59º to 86ºF (15º to 30ºC).