Valium (Generic)

Uses

The medicine helps people in relief of nervousness, worries and sleep disorders. Also it helps to treat the alcohol withdrawal (for example tremors) or muscle spasms and convulsion.

How to take

You may take the drug with food or milk if it cause stomach upset. The taking must be as the doctor directed. It is forbidden to increase the dosage and to use it too often. The using of medicine may cause tolerance that makes it ineffective. For insomnia, take the medicine in 30 - 60 minutes before going to bed. Consult the doctor how to discontinue the using. You should gradually decrease the dosage if it is prescribed for some time.

Side effects

The drowsiness and giddiness may occur after taking the drug. Don't do anything that needs attentiveness. Other effects may occur: stomach upset, unclear vision, depression, coordination problems, headache, confusion, heart rate changes, shakiness, memory loss, weakness, hangover effect (grogginess), appearing of nightmares. If you noticed chest pain, your heart rate or vision change, yellow eyes or skin, consult the doctor. Sometimes allergic reaction to the medicine may occur. In that event you should immediately see the doctor. Signs of an allergic reaction can be: rash, swelling, giddiness, itching, and breathing problems. If you have any other side effects, visit the doctor or your pharmacist.

Precaution

Before you take the drug you must tell the doctor or your pharmacist if you have some health problems, especially with liver and kidney or if you have any drug allergies. Using alcohol or other sedative-type drugs may cause extreme sleepiness. So you must stop using an alcohol. Elderly people should use the drug cautiously, because their organism may be sensitive to appear the effects of the medicine. Don't use the drug if you are pregnant. You should consult the doctor if you are a breast-feeding mother, because the drug can pass into breast milk.

Drug Interactions

If you take any other drugs, you should tell the doctor about it, especially if it is: cimetidine, disulfiram, digoxin, sleeping tablets, levodopa, pain medication that contains narcotic (for example, codeine), seizure medication, antidepressants, barbiturates, sedatives, tranquilizers, antihistamines that cause drowsiness (for example, diphenhydramine), medicine for treating allergies or colds, or if you use alcohol. You should stop using grapefruit or grapefruit juice unless the doctor says to do so. Smoking can make the medicine ineffective. You should consult the doctor or your pharmacist before you start or stop using any medicine.