Diazepam > Reviews (7)

I'm old enough to remember "Mother's Little Helper," released by the Rolling Stones in the 1960's. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what "little yellow pill" they were singing about. It was Valium (generic name: Diazepam).

Diazepam has been around for many years. It is one of the Benzodiazepines, which are considered generally safer and have fewer side-effects than the stronger sedative-hypnotic class of prescription drugs. Diazepam is safe enough that it is sometimes given to infants with such problems as tacchycardia (rapid, irregular heart beat). It is relatively fast-acting and long-acting. It is a tremendous help to those who suffer from chronic anxiety, or even acute anxiety attacks.

I've been prescribed Diazepam twice by psychiatrists. The first time, I was given a whopping 10 mg. dose twice daily. The doctor told me that if I didn't get to sleep at night with one 10-mg. tablet, I could take two. Lucky for me, one worked just fine. I took Valium for about six months or so, but I was switched to another benzodiazepine because the pyschiatrist determined that it would probably work better for my type of anxiety disorder. The second Benzodiazepine is beleived to be less likely to cause dependence.

Diazepam worked well for me for awhile. I found myself breaking my morning dose in half to decrease drowsiness. After awhile, however, I noticed that I could take the entire 10-mg. tablet in the morning without feeling tired at all. I built up a tolerance to Diazepam after about two and a half months of taking it as prescribed. When this happened, I found that the drug no longer worked as well, and I began to feel anxious again. This is when the drug was switched.

I've made out well with the new drug for about three years now. It still works, and I feel it is longer acting the Diazepam. It keeps the panic attacks at bay, or at least tolerable when they do occur.

Just about two months ago, I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia (I've written an opinion on this), and it was suggested that I try a very low dose (2 mg) of Diazepam twice a day to ease the muscle spasms in my neck and shoulders. Diazepam is an excellent muscle relaxant.

I've used Diazepam when I've had severe pain in my neck and shoulders, and I've found it to work well to help reduce the painful spasms. I don't have to use it every day. On the days that I am forced to use it, I only take it once. That usually does the trick.

All in all, I will say that I think Diazepam is a useful drug in the treatment of both anxiety and muscle tension. It does have the downside of becoming habit-forming, so it is important to use it as directed and only when needed. Here in the States, the generic Diazepam is relatively inexpensive in comparison with the brand name drug. I have taken both and can truely see no difference in performance.

For the most part, Valium/Diazepam is safe when taken as directed. It has few side-effects; the major one is drowsiness. As with all drugs in this category, it is important to exercise caution when driving and performing tasks where safety is important until you adjust to the drug.

If your doctor prescribes Diazepam, there is no need to fear taking it. Just use good common sense and do not abuse it.