What type of medication is valium

Ongoing anxiety can affect your ability to function at home, school, and work. Treating anxiety often involves talk therapy and antidepressant medications. Benzodiazepines are another class of medications used to help curb anxiety. Two commonly prescribed benzodiazepines are Valium and Xanax. These drugs are similar, but not exactly alike. Both drugs are used to treat anxiety disorders. Xanax also treats panic disorder.

Valium and Xanax are both brand-name versions of different generic drugs. Valium is a brand name for the drug diazepam, and Xanax is a brand name for the drug alprazolam.

Both of these drugs are minor tranquilizers. They work by helping to boost the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid GABA. GABA is a neurotransmitter, a chemical messenger that transmits signals throughout your body. If you take Valium or Xanax, you should avoid large amounts of grapefruit or grapefruit juice. Grapefruit blocks the enzyme CYP3A4 , which helps break down certain drugs.

So having large amounts of grapefruit can increase the levels of Valium and Xanax in your body. This can increase your risk of side effects.

Xanax and Valium are in the same drug class, so they have many of the same interactions with other drugs and substances. Each device has only 1 spray and cannot be reused. Keep it in the box until you are ready to use it. It should be protected from light. You may also ask a family member or a friend to remind you or check in with you to be sure you are taking your medication.

If you miss a dose of diazepam, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is closer to the time of your next dose. Discuss this with your healthcare provider. Do not double your next dose or take more than what is prescribed. Avoid drinking alcohol and using illegal drugs while you are taking diazepam. They may decrease the benefits e. Alcohol increases the risk of accidental overdose with medications like diazepam. If an overdose occurs call your doctor or You may need urgent medical care.

You may also contact the poison control center at A specific treatment to reverse the effects of diazepam does exist. This medicine, called flumazenil, can reverse the effects of diazepam but must be given through an IV at a hospital.

Only a doctor can decide if you need this medication. If you experience these side effects after starting diazepam they will often improve over the first week or two as you continue to take the medication. If side effects do not improve or become problematic, consult your health care provider. Diazepam is a safe and effective medication when used as directed. Physical dependence may develop after 2 or more weeks of daily use.

The risk of withdrawal reactions when stopping therapy with diazepam is increased with prolonged use of the medication. The following medications may decrease the levels and effects of diazepam:. Diazepam may cause drowsiness, so caution should be used when combining it with other medications that cause drowsiness.

These could include:. When starting diazepam, anxiety or insomnia may improve rapidly or over a period of days or within hours of the first dose of medication. The FDA has found that benzodiazepine drugs, such as diazepam, when used in combination with opioid medications or other sedating medications can result in serious adverse reactions including slowed or difficult breathing and death.

Valium and Xanax are brand names for two types of medication for anxiety. The generic name for Valium is diazepam.

The generic name for Xanax is alprazolam. Many anxiety symptoms result, to some extent, from a chemical imbalance in the brain. Medication can help change this imbalance. Sedatives slow down certain functions in the body. This can help a person sleep or make them feel calmer. The best choice of medication and the dosage and duration of treatment will be different for each individual. Valium and Xanax are different medications.

A doctor should help a person decide which is most suitable. People can take either medication as tablets or liquid, but adults usually only receive a prescription for pills. GABA reduces activity in parts of the brain that control memory, emotions, logical thought, and functions such as breathing. This makes the muscles relax, reduces anxiety, and causes drowsiness.

Valium and Xanax have similar side effects. Seek medical advice if any of these symptoms are severe or last for a long time. Some side effects can be serious. A person should seek urgent medical attention if they experience any of the following:. These are partial lists of side effects.

Effects may vary between individuals. People should talk to their doctor about side effects before using these drugs. If you take several doses per day and miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. Diazepam may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication. Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children.

Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture not in the bathroom. It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory.

Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to diazepam. If you are taking diazepam along with other medications to control seizures and have an increase in their frequency or severity, call your doctor. Your dose of diazepam or the other medications may need to be adjusted. If you use diazepam for seizures, carry identification Medic Alert stating that you have epilepsy and that you are taking diazepam and other medications. Do not let anyone else take your medication.

Diazepam is a controlled substance. Prescriptions may be refilled only a limited number of times; ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription over-the-counter medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements.

You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital.