Valium Information:

Valium is used for:

The management of anxiety disorders. It may also be used to treatagitation, shakiness, and hallucinations during alcohol withdrawal andto relieve certain types of muscle pain and other disorders asdetermined by your doctor.
Valium is a benzodiazepine. It works by slowing down the movement ofchemicals in the brain. This results in a reduction in nervous tension(anxiety) and muscle spasm, and also causes sedation.

Do NOT use Valium if:

* you are allergic to any ingredient in Valium
* you have acute narrow-angle glaucoma, severe liver disease, kidneyproblems, or a mental state in which contact with reality is lost(psychosis)
* you are taking an HIV protease inhibitor (eg, ritonavir) or sodium oxybate (GHB)
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Valium:
Some medical conditions may interact with Valium. Tell your doctor orpharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of thefollowing apply to you:
* if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
* if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
* if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
* if you have glaucoma or a predisposition for glaucoma, liverproblems, lung problems or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD), muscle problems, depression, suicidal tendencies, a blooddisorder known as porphyria, or a history of alcohol or other substanceabuse or dependence

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Valium. Tell your health careprovider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of thefollowing:

* Hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), rifampin, or St. John's wort because they may decrease Valium's effectiveness
* Clozapine, diltiazem, disulfiram,HIV protease inhibitors (eg,ritonavir), narcotic pain relievers (eg, morphine, codeine),nefazodone, omeprazole,sodium oxybate (GHB), or valproic acid becauseside effects such as increased sedation and confusion may occur
* Hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), narcotic pain relievers (eg, morphine,codeine), sodium oxybate (GHB), succinylcholine, or tricyclicantidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because the risk of their sideeffects may be increased by Valium
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Askyour health care provider if Valium may interact with other medicinesthat you take. Check with your health care provider before you start,stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Valium:
Use Valium as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
* Take Valium by mouth with or without food.
* If you miss a dose of Valium and you are taking it regularly, take itas soon as possible. If several hours have passed or if it is nearingtime for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unlessadvised by your health care provider. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Valium.
Important safety information:

* Valium may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. Theseeffects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines.Use Valium with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafetasks until you know how you react to it.
* Do not drink alcohol oruse medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, musclerelaxers) while you are using Valium; it may add to their effects. Askyour pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may causedrowsiness.
* If you are taking Valium for seizures, carry an ID card at all timesthat says you have seizure disorder and you take Valium.
* Valium should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 6 months old;safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
* PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Valium may cause harm to the fetus. Ifyou think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need todiscuss the benefits and risks of using Valium while you are pregnant.Valium is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while using Valium.

Whenused for long periods of time or at high doses, Valium may not work aswell and may require higher doses to obtain the same effect as whenoriginally taken. This is known as TOLERANCE. Talk with your doctor ifValium stops working well. Do not take more than prescribed.

Somepeople who use Valium for a long time may develop a need to continuetaking it. People who take high doses are also at risk. This is knownas DEPENDENCE or addiction. If you stop taking Valium suddenly, you mayhave WITHDRAWAL symptoms. These may include convulsions, tremor,stomach and muscle cramps, vomiting, or sweating. Do not suddenly stoptaking Valium without first checking with your doctor.
Possible side effects of Valium:

Allmedicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor,side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Blurred vision; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; fatigue; headaches; incoordination; short-term memory loss; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severeallergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing;tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue);anxiety; chest pain; difficulty breathing; difficulty sleeping;difficulty speaking; hallucinations; inability to control urination;increased muscle spasms; interrupted breathing; involuntary eyemovement; sleep disturbances; stimulation; sudden rage; yellowing ofthe skin or eyes.

Store Valium at room temperature, 59 to86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C), in a tight, light-resistantcontainer. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store inthe bathroom. Keep Valium out of the reach of children and away frompets.
General information:
* If you have any questions about Valium, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
* Valium is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
* If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all informationabout Valium. If you have questions about the medicine you are takingor would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, orother health care provider.

This article is for informational purposes only. For further instructions on Valium consult with your doctor.