Drug Facts for Africans: Diazepam

By: Grace Chukwuekwu. B.MLS. Freelance Health Writer. Medically reviewed by: Akpobome. Biakolo, MBBS.

January 29, 2026

A box of diazepam tablets placed on a clean pharmacy counter, shown for illustrative purposes. Image credit: Freepik

Drug name: Diazepam

Brand Names: Those commonly found across the African continent include: Valium, Valnox-5, Relanium, Tropium, and Jawadize.

Drug class:  Benzodiazepines.

Dosage forms and strengths (for informational and educational purposes only):

• Tablets: 2 mg, 5 mg and 10 mg
• Oral solution: 1 mg/ml or 5 mg/5 ml
• Oral concentrate: 5 mg/ml or 25mg.5 ml (requires dilution prior to use).
• Rectal gel: Administered into the rectum for acute seizure emergencies. A healthcare provider will determine appropriate dosage based on weight and age. 
• Buccal film: 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg. Placed into the mouth between the tongue and the cheek
• Nasal spray: This is another option for treating acute seizure emergencies
• Intramuscular (IM) and Intravenous (IV) injections: Administered by healthcare professionals only in very severe seizure cases (status epilepticus)

No matter the form, diazepam stays in the body for a long time. Its effects can last many hours and may continue well beyond 12 hours, especially in older adults or people with slower drug metabolism. 

Introduction:

Diazepam is on the list of essential medicines by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, it is a Schedule IV controlled drug under the US Controlled Substances Act meaning it is linked with misuse, abuse and dependence if not taken correctly. 

In 2020, a U.S. national health survey reported that millions of people misused benzodiazepines, and nearly 1 million of them misused diazepam specifically [1]. Local data from African countries are limited, so the level of misuse may differ in African countries. This is why it must be used only as prescribed and stored safely. 

This drug facts aim to educate Africans about Diazepam as follows:

• What it is
• What it is used for
• How it works
• How to use it
• Mild and adverse effects 
• Safety tips and precautions
• Addiction risks
• What to do in cases of overdose

What Is Diazepam?

Diazepam is a calming medicine that belongs to a group of drugs called benzodiazepines. These medicines act as depressants (or downers) of the central nervous system (CNS), meaning they slow down brain activity and the movement of nerve signals [2]. This helps the body feel calmer, more relaxed, and less tense. Many people know diazepam by the brand name Valium. 

What is Diazepam used for?

Doctors prescribe the medication to:

• Reduce anxiety
• Relax tight or painful muscle spasms
• Control seizures
• Ease alcohol withdrawal symptoms such as sweating or trouble sleeping
• Calm someone before surgery or other medical or dental procedures (a process known as pre-medication). 

How Diazepam Works

Diazepam works by boosting a natural calming chemical in the brain called Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid, GABA. When GABA increases, your brain activity slows down, and messages between your brain and nerves travel more slowly [3]. This helps your body relax, reduces anxiety, and eases muscle tension.

How should Diazepam be taken?

1. For anxiety: Usually 2 mg, 3 times a day (Tablets & Liquid).

2. For trouble sleeping related to anxiety: 5–15 mg taken once at bedtime (Tablets & Liquid).

3. For muscle spasms (adults):

• From 2 to15 mg a day.
• Can be split as 1 mg twice a day or increased to 5 mg, 3 times a day.
• In some cases, the dose may go up to 20 mg, 3 times a day.

4. For muscle spasms (children 1 month–17 years):

• The dose is carefully calculated by the doctor based on the child’s weight, age, and medical condition.
• There is no fixed dose for children, and the exact timing and amount must always be decided by a healthcare professional.

5. Older adults or people with liver or breathing problems:

• Lower doses are usually recommended for safety because diazepam can stay in the body longer and affect breathing.
• Kidney problems are generally less important for how the body clears diazepam, but doctors may still monitor these patients closely.

6. Rectal dosage (Rectal Diazepam)

A doctor will choose the right amount based on the patient’s age, weight, and health condition.

What are the side effects of Diazepam?
Mild side effects include:

• Sleepiness
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Giddiness
• Forgetfulness
• Headache
• Confusion

These are usually not serious, but if they persist, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious (Adverse) effects are rare but require immediate medical attention and may include:

• Jaundice (Yellow eyes or skin)
• Hallucination (Seeing or hearing things that aren’t real)
• Suicidal thoughts
• Unexplained rage
• Frequent falls
• Sudden mood changes
• Fainting
• Swelling of the lips, tongue or throat
• Trouble breathing with blue or pale appearance
• Coma (Loss of consciousness/Unresponsiveness)
• Severe skin rash with itchiness, blisters, peeling, swelling 

What to do if you miss a dose of Diazepam?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it’s almost time for your next one. Never take two doses at once. Set a reminder or ask your pharmacist for tips if you forget often.

Safety tips and precautions while taking Diazepam

Diazepam is a powerful medicine, so it’s important to use it safely as shown below:

1. Use and duration:

• Take diazepam only as prescribed. 
• It is usually recommended for short-term use (2–4 weeks) to avoid dependence. 
• Do not stop suddenly; your doctor will guide you to gradually reduce the dose if needed.

2. Substances to avoid:

• Avoid use of other recreational drugs, and other sedatives unless prescribed. Mixing these with diazepam can slow your breathing, cause extreme drowsiness, or be life-threatening. 
• Certain foods, like grapefruit juice, may also affect how your body processes the medicine.

3. Driving and activities:

• Diazepam can slow reflexes and judgment. 
• Avoid driving, cycling, or operating machines until you know how it affects you [4].

4. Mental health:

• Some people may notice changes in mood while taking diazepam.
• If you feel unusually sad, anxious, or have distressing thoughts, seek help from your doctor or another healthcare professional right away. Support is available, and talking to someone you trust is important.

5. Pregnancy and breastfeeding:

• Talk to your healthcare team if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as diazepam can affect babies.

6. Overdose and emergency care:

• A diazepam overdose is rare but can be dangerous, especially when combined with other sedatives. 
• Call emergency services immediately if you suspect an overdose. 
• Keep the person awake and breathing
• Place them on their side to prevent choking, and stay with them until help arrives. 
• If an opioid was also taken, naloxone may help, but it only reverses opioid effects, not diazepam.

7. Storage:

• Keep diazepam in a safe place out of reach of children and pets. 
• Store at room temperature, away from light, and keep the bottle tightly closed.
• Dispose of expired or unused tablets safely, and ask your pharmacist how to do this, if you need help.

Addiction risks of Diazepam

Diazepam can lead to an addiction, a medical condition that occurs when in the case of a substance, you are unable to control its use despite harmful consequences, such as a health problem, the inability to attend to responsibilities at work, school, or home, etc.

Signs of addiction to Diazepam

The diagnosis of diazepam addiction should only be made by a healthcare professional. But it is helpful to be aware of some of the tell-tale signs of its addiction so you know how important it is to seek professional help early.

• Inability to cut down or stop diazepam use despite expressing a desire to do so.
• Spending a great deal of time finding, using, or recovering from the effects of diazepam.
• Having strong desire to use diazepam.
• Using diazepam in increasing amounts or for longer periods of time than originally intended.
• Inability to fulfill major obligations at work, home, or school because of diazepam use.
• Continuing to use diazepam despite having persistent or recurrent harmful social, physical and mental problems.
• Repeated use of diazepam in situations where it is physically dangerous to do so (such as when driving or operating machinery).
• Tolerance (which means needing more of the substance to experience previous effects). 
• Withdrawal (which refers to the symptoms you can develop when you stop using Valium). 

Both tolerance and withdrawal signs do not count toward diagnosis if the diazepam is being used as prescribed by a healthcare provider

If you or someone you know exhibits at least two of the above signs over a 12 month period, it is important to get help early from a healthcare professional

Conclusion 

Diazepam is an effective medicine that can help with anxiety, muscle spasms, seizures, and alcohol withdrawal when used correctly. It works by calming the brain and slowing nerve signals, helping the body relax. However, it can be habit-forming and may cause side effects, so it must always be used exactly as prescribed.

Knowing how to take it safely, what to avoid, and how to store it properly can prevent harm to you and others. Always watch for unusual symptoms, keep it out of reach of children, and never mix it with other calming medications (sedatives). Remember, misuse or counterfeit pills can be very dangerous. Used responsibly, diazepam can be an effective and essential medicine.

References:

1. Mosel S. Valium Misuse and Addiction: Signs, Overdose & Treatment [Internet]. American Addiction Centers; Last updated July 19 2024. [Cited January 13, 2026}. Available from here. 

2. Dhaliwal JS, Rosani A, Saadabadi A. Diazepam. [Updated 2023 Aug 28]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. [Cited Jan. 13, 2026]. Available from here.

3. NHS UK. About Diazepam. [Internet]. Last reviewed February 3 2022. [Cited Jan. 13, 2026]. Available from here. 

4. Healthdirect (Australia). Diazepam (Valium). [Internet]. Last reviewed February 2025. [Cited Jan. 13, 2026]. Available from here. 

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Published: January 29, 2026

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