Diazepam is an active substance belonging to the benzodiazepine group. It is used in the treatment of extreme anxiety, sleep disorders and epileptic seizures. Diazepam has become an integral part of the drug market due to its enormous effect, but before taking it certain contraindications must be ruled out and possible side effects must be explained.
Cave: Diazepam must never be discontinued spontaneously in order to reduce the likelihood of side effects occurring. Diazepam therapy must be stopped gradually by reducing the daily dose.
- Withdrawal symptoms: Some patients complain of severe withdrawal symptoms after sudden withdrawal of diazepam, which manifest themselves as anxiety, hallucinations, seizures and irritability.
- Sedation: It should also be noted that diazepam has a strong sedative effect.
For this reason, taking drugs containing diazepam can cause side effects such as fatigue, drowsiness and drowsiness.
- Psychological complaints: Many patients report the occurrence of severe headaches, prolonged reaction time and temporary memory loss in connection with diazepam use. Driving should therefore be avoided for the entire duration of treatment.
- CNS disorders: prolonged use of diazepam in a number of patients leads to speech formation disorders (e.g. lisping), gait insecurity, muscle cramps and sleep disorders (difficulty falling asleep and/or sleeping through the night).
- Paradoxical effects: abnormalities that are supposed to be suppressed by taking diazepam, such as sudden onset of anxiety and anger
- Gastrointestinal problems: Diazepam may also interfere with the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Many patients report dry mouth, abdominal pain and/or diarrhea.
Overdose
Another serious risk in diazepam therapy is the possibility of overdose. Since diazepam has an inhibitory effect on muscle tone, extreme overdose may cause a reduction in breathing and, in the worst case, respiratory arrest. Blood pressure may also drop to critical levels in the case of diazepam overdose, and circulatory irregularities may occur. In extreme cases, taking too high a dose of this drug can lead to cardiovascular arrest.
- Feelings of dizziness
- Temporary memory loss
- Also severe speech disorders
- Coordination disorders
