How and when to take diazepam

Dosage

Your doctor will decide the right dose of diazepam for you. It's important to take diazepam exactly as your doctor tells you to.

Dosage for tablets and liquid

The usual dose is:

• anxiety – 2mg, taken 3 times a day, this can be increased to 5mg to 10mg, taken 3 times a day
• sleep problems (related to anxiety) – 5mg to 15mg, taken once a day at bedtime
• muscle spasms in adults – 2mg to 15 mg a day. This can be taken as 1mg twice a day and can go up to 5mg taken 3 times a day. The dose can be increased to up to 20mg, taken 3 times a day if needed
• muscle spasms in children (aged 1 month to 17 years) – the dose varies depending on age. It's usually taken twice a day, with 10 to 12 hours between each dose

Your dose might be lower if you're over 65 or have kidney or liver problems or severe breathing problems.

Dosage for rectal tubes

Your doctor will decide the right dose of diazepam rectal tubes for you or your child according to your weight, age and general health.

How to take or use it

How to take tablets and liquid

Take diazepam tablets or liquid with a drink of water. You can take them with or without food.

If you're taking diazepam as a liquid, the medicine will come with a plastic syringe or spoon to help you measure out the right dose. If you do not have a syringe or spoon, ask your pharmacist for one. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not measure the right amount.

How to use rectal tubes

Diazepam rectal tubes (or rectal diazepam) can be used if you or your child is having a seizure or fit.

If you have been prescribed rectal tubes, it's important that a family member, friend or carer knows how to give you this medicine. This may vary between different brands. Read the instructions that come with the medicine carefully.

If you're having a seizure, they also need to know how long to wait before giving you rectal diazepam. This depends on the type of seizure and how long it lasts.

Before prescribing diazepam rectal tubes your doctor will talk to you and your family member or carer about how to recognise the type of seizure that should be treated with this medicine. They will also teach your family member or carer how to give the medicine.

How long to take it for

How long you'll need to take diazepam for depends on why you're taking it. It is usually only recommended for a short period of time of up to 4 weeks.

If you're prescribed diazepam for more than 4 weeks, your dose may be reduced gradually to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

If you forget to take it

If you're taking diazepam regularly and forget to take a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. In this case, just leave out the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.

Never take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.

If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to remember to take your medicine.

If you take too much

If you take more than your prescribed dose of diazepam you may get symptoms including:

• poor co-ordination or trouble speaking
• feeling sleepy
• a slow or irregular heartbeat
• uncontrolled eye movements
• muscle weakness
• feeling overexcited

The amount of diazepam that can lead to an overdose varies from person to person.

If you need to go to A&E, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance.

Take the diazepam packet, or the leaflet inside it, plus any remaining medicine with you.