Pharmacology | Valium®

Pharmacology

Because Valium® – unlike most other benzodiazepines – is converted to substances which do not lose their efficacy as a result of this conversion, it has a relatively long half-life of about 40 hours. This makes it one of the long-acting benzodiazepines. Examples of short-acting benzodiazepines are triazolam and midazolam, while oxazepam and lorazepam (trade name: Tavor®) are among the medium-long acting ones.

Can I buy Valium® over the counter?

Valium® is a psychotropic drug. It contains the active ingredient diazepam. This is a drug from the benzodiazepine group.

Valium® cannot be purchased over the counter. This is mainly because the active ingredient has a strong effect and can have dangerous consequences in patients who have not been instructed in its use. For example, active participation in road traffic should no longer be allowed once the drug has been taken.

Taken in higher doses, it can cause pronounced drowsiness and breathing disorders. A combination with depressant substances such as alcohol or sleeping pills is urgently prohibited due to the danger of life-threatening interactions. Prolonged use can lead to a development of dependency.

Valium® and alcohol – is it compatible?

No – Since the group of benzodiazepines has a strong attenuating effect which is produced in the brain via GABA receptors, combination with alcohol is contraindicated. This is because alcohol and benzodiazepines act on the same type of receptor in the brain, a subtype of the GABA receptor. The binding of alcohol degradation products or drugs such as diazepam to these receptors results in an increased influx of ions into the nerve cell in question.

This causes the cell to become less active, and the central nervous system is dampened.Since alcohol and diazepam have very similar effects, a significant increase in the effectiveness of both substances is achieved when taken simultaneously. This can lead to respiratory disorders, even respiratory arrest and comatose states. An overdose of benzodiazepines and alcohol can be fatal. The amount of an overdose varies greatly from person to person. The combination of benzodiazepines and sleeping pills or other depressants is also contraindicated.