| Over 10% of Americans are on some type of | | | | |
| anti-anxiety drug. The most popular one today | | | | Diazepam may be taken with or without food. |
| is Xanax but diazepam is not very far behind. | | | | Diazepam is metabolized by the liver and |
| | | | excreted mainly by the kidney. Dosages of |
| Many people experience some fear and some | | | | diazepam may need to be lowered in patients |
| anxiety at various times in their lives. | | | | with abnormal kidney function. |
| Those with anxiety disorders are affected by | | | | |
| fear to such a degree that they can't | | | | Diazepam may cause drowsiness and dizziness |
| function or live a normal live without the | | | | in some people. Until you are sure how your |
| help of drugs. One of the most effective and | | | | body will react to diazepam, you should avoid |
| prevalent drugs for anxiety disorder is | | | | driving, sports, or strenuous activities |
| diazepam. | | | | while taking it. One very striking effect of |
| | | | diazepam is that it accumulates in the body. |
| Diazepam, or Valium as most people commonly | | | | So even if you haven't taken it for the |
| know it, is an anti-anxiety or anti-panic | | | | while, you may still find yourself tired or |
| agent. It works by effecting the release of | | | | sluggish with not apparent reason why. It |
| the amino acid GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) | | | | very well may be the build up of diazepam in |
| into the brain. GABA acts to suppresses the | | | | your body. |
| nerve impulses leading to a feeling of | | | | |
| relaxation. | | | | Be aware that if you take antacids while |
| | | | taking diazepam, the antacids will act to |
| Although a very useful and positive drug in | | | | neutralize the diazepam. Thus you may find |
| the treatment of anxiety disorders - as well | | | | the diazepam not having the desired calming |
| as insomnia, muscle spasms, and seizures - | | | | effect on your nervous system. |
| anyone taking it for anxiety should be aware | | | | |
| of its negatives also. | | | | Even though diazepam is sometimes used to |
| | | | treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms, this |
| Diazepam is habit forming and very addictive. | | | | should only be done under a doctor's care. |
| Self medicating yourself with diazepam is a | | | | Normally, alcohol should not be taken by |
| bad idea. because you can easily develop a | | | | anyone on diazepam. Mixing the two could |
| dependency on it, especially if you take it | | | | possibly trigger an epileptic attack. |
| in large doses over an extended period of | | | | |
| time. Diazepam should only be taken under a | | | | Don't take diazepam if you are pregnant or |
| doctor's care and never take more than the | | | | are breast feeding your baby unless directed |
| prescribed dosage. Because of its addictive | | | | to by your doctor. There is strong evidence |
| properties, you may suffer withdrawal | | | | that diazepam can harm the fetus. In the case |
| symptoms when your doctor eventually weans | | | | of breast feeding, diazepam is retained in |
| you off of the drug. | | | | the breast milk, which means that it will be |
| | | | passed to the baby possibly causing |
| Diazepam is hard on the kidneys and liver. If | | | | addiction. |
| you have cirrhosis of the liver, any type of | | | | |
| abnormal kidney function, or any other | | | | Diazepam is an extremely helpful drug and |
| medical problems with your liver you should | | | | many suffering from anxiety would have a much |
| inform your doctor. Your dosage of diazepam | | | | tougher time without it. Just be careful when |
| may have to be severely cut or dropped | | | | taking it. |
| altogether. | | | | |