Diazemuls (Diazepam) belongs to the class of medications called benzodiazepines. It is used for the short-term relief of symptoms of mild-to-moderate anxiety or alcohol withdrawal (such as agitation). It is also used for reducing muscle spasms. It works by slowing down the nerves in the brain (i.e., central nervous system).

The injectable form of Diazemuls (Diazepam) is used to control prolonged seizures.

Diazemuls (Diazepam) may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Diazemuls (Diazepam) may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Diazemuls (Diazepam) may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Diazemuls (Diazepam) for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are being given Diazemuls (Diazepam), speak to your doctor. Do not stop using Diazemuls (Diazepam) without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Diazemuls (Diazepam) to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to use Diazemuls (Diazepam) if their doctor has not prescribed it.

The recommended dose of Diazemuls (Diazepam) for adults ranges from 2 mg to 10 mg, taken 2 to 4 times daily. For children older than 6 months, the initial dose usually ranges from 1 mg to 2.5 mg, taken 3 or 4 times daily.

It is important that the dose be individualized to your specific needs to avoid excessive sleepiness or motor impairment.

Diazemuls (Diazepam) is normally used for a short period of time or as required. It may be habit-forming when taken for long periods of time. If you have been using Diazemuls (Diazepam) regularly for a long period of time (i.e., more than 1 month), do not stop using the medication without speaking with your doctor. To avoid withdrawal effects, a gradual reduction in dose is usually recommended when stopping Diazemuls (Diazepam).

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to use Diazemuls (Diazepam) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, administer it as soon as you remember and continue with your regular schedule. If your next dose is in less than 6 hours, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not administer a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store at room temperature in a dry place. Keep out of reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Diazemuls (Diazepam). If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Diazemuls (Diazepam) with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Diazemuls (Diazepam). Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• blurred vision
• clumsiness or unsteadiness
• Constipation
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• drowsiness
• headache
• muscle weakness
• nausea
• slurred speech

Although most of these side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not check with your doctor or seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• anxiety or agitation
• confusion
• falls and fractures
• hallucinations (e.g., seeing or hearing things that aren't there)
• incontinence (difficulty holding urine)
• Low Blood Pressure (dizziness or fainting when rising from a sitting or lying position)
• memory loss
• mood or behaviour changes (e.g., aggression, rage, anxiety, or excitation)
• nightmares
• signs of Depression (e.g., poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, decreased interest in activities, thoughts of suicide)

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Diazemuls (Diazepam).

Do not take Diazemuls (Diazepam) if you:

• are allergic to Diazemuls (Diazepam) or any ingredients of the medication
• are allergic to any other benzodiazepines
• have acute narrow-angle Glaucoma
• have decreased liver function
• have Myasthenia Gravis
• have severe breathing problems
• have Sleep Apnea

Do not give Diazemuls (Diazepam) to infants under 6 months of age.

There may be an interaction between Diazemuls (Diazepam) and any of the following:

• alcohol
• antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine, doxylamine, Diphenhydramine, Hydroxyzine, Loratadine)
• antipsychotics (e.g., Chlorpromazine, Clozapine, Haloperidol, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• Aprepitant
• azelastine
• "azole" antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, Voriconazole)
• barbiturates (e.g., butalbital, Phenobarbital)
• other benzodiazepines (e.g., Alprazolam, Lorazepam)
• Bosentan
• brimonidine
• Buspirone
• calcium channel blockers (e.g., Amlodipine, Diltiazem, Nifedipine, Verapamil)
• cannabis
• chloral hydrate
• Clonidine
• Cobicistat
• conivaptan
• Deferasirox
• Desvenlafaxine
• Dronedarone
• Entacapone
• Enzalutamide
• grapefruit juice
• Guanfacine
• HIV non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs; e.g., delavirdine, efavirenz, etravirine, nevirapine)
• HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)
• Lomitapide
• macrolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin)
• melatonin
• Methadone
• mifepristone
• Mirtazapine
• Moclobemide
• Modafinil
• muscle relaxants (e.g., Baclofen, Cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol, orphenadrine)
• Nabilone
• narcotic pain relievers (e.g., Codeine, Fentanyl, Morphine, Oxycodone)
• nefazodone
• Pramipexole
• protein kinase inhibitors (e.g., Dasatinib, imatinib, Lapatinib, Palbociclib)
• quinidine
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• Ropinirole
• Rotigotine
• scopolamine
• seizure medications (e.g., Carbamazepine, Clobazam, Levetiracetam, phenobarbital, Phenytoin, primidone, Topiramate, Valproic acid, zonisamide)
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline)
• siltuximab
• simeprevir
• sodium oxybate
• St. John's wort
• Tapentadol
• thalidomide
• Theophylline
• Ticagrelor
• Ticlopidine
• Tocilizumab
• Tramadol
• Tranylcypromine
• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., Amitriptyline, Clomipramine, Desipramine, Trimipramine)
• valerian
• Yohimbine
• Zolpidem
• Zopiclone

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. In many cases, interactions are intended or are managed by close monitoring. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Diazemuls (Diazepam). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.