Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions out there. The National Institute of Mental Health states that approximately 18% of adults in the US experience some form of anxiety per year. Because of this, doctors around the country have been increasingly prescribing anti-anxiety drugs like diazepam or Valium.

Diazepam, best known for its brand name Valium, is a prescription medication that can treat symptoms of anxiety. It also has its uses as a sedative before surgery and as a treatment method for seizures. It can be administered in many forms, such as by mouth, through the rectum, injected into muscles or veins, or even as a nasal spray.

Valium is a part of the highly esteemed benzodiazepine drug family, which includes Xanax and Tranxene. It’s also an antianxiety agent. Since its launch in 1963, it has been one of the most frequently prescribed medications in the world. 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved it in 1963 as well, and it was the best-selling medication from 1968 to 1982 in the United States. In 1978 alone, it sold more than 2 billion tablets. In 2019, it was the 117th most commonly prescribed medication in the US, with over 5.7 million prescriptions.

How Long until You Feel the Effects of Valium?

How long until the drug takes effect depends on how it was administered. When taken orally, it could take anywhere around 15 to 60 minutes before you notice its effects. When injected, it begins working after one to five minutes. Lastly, when taken via rectal gel (usually in people experiencing seizures), it typically kicks in immediately.

What Are the Risks and Side Effects of Valium?

Valium is an effective drug, but it has a number of side effects similar to other benzodiazepine drugs. Some of the most common ones include:

• Drowsiness or tiredness
• Muscle weakness
• Loss of coordination
• Impaired motor functions
• Dizziness
• Impaired balance
• Reflex tachycardia (rapid heartbeats)

In less common cases, more serious or paradoxical side effects can occur. Here are some of them:

• Confusion
• Irritability
• Hallucinations
• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Insomnia
• Hyperactivity
• Aggression and hostility
• Depressed mood and thoughts of suicide or self-harm
• Lightheadedness
• New or worsening seizures
• Memory problems
• Weak or shallow breathing
• Trouble speaking
• Yellowing eyes or skin

It’s best to contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the symptoms above.

It’s also important to remember that Valium can have potentially dangerous interactions with other drugs. Taking sedatives or tranquilizers is especially hazardous if you have Valium in your system. Tell your doctor about all of the medications and supplements you take to avoid any adverse effects.

Having too much Valium in the body can increase your risk of developing severe side effects, so it’s best to stick to your prescription. It’s also best to know how long it stays in your body to know when to avoid taking contraindicated substances.

What Is Valium Used For?

Valium or diazepam is a fast-acting and long-lasting anti-anxiety drug that’s used to treat a range of medical conditions, such as anxiety, seizure disorders, muscle spasms, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, and withdrawal symptoms. The drug can be used alone or in combination with other medications.

With other medications, diazepam also helps address paraplegia, cerebral palsy, and abnormal muscle contractions (athetosis). Much like other benzodiazepines, it works by increasing the effect of gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter or chemical messenger that reduces activity in many areas of the brain. In essence, this drug calms the nerves and relaxes muscles.

The dosage depends on the individual and their medical condition, age, and how well they respond to the medication. It’s best not to increase the dosage or use the drug for longer than what’s written on the prescription, as the patient may experience severe side effects.

How Long Does Valium Stay in the Body?

A drug’s duration in the body is measured in its half-life. This unit refers to how long it takes for the body to eliminate half a dose of the substance. Valium is a long-lasting medication that has a half-life of around 48 hours. However, its noticeable effects last only for four to six hours.

When the body processes Valium, it breaks down the drug into other compounds referred to as metabolites. Its common metabolites include nordiazepam, oxazepam, and temazepam. The body typically eliminates these substances for a much longer duration than diazepam itself because of their longer half-lives. For instance, nordiazepam has a half-life of approximately 100 hours.

Detecting Valium in Your System

There are many ways to detect the presence of Valium in the system, such as urine, blood, saliva, and hair tests. It lasts the shortest in urine, where the drug is detectable for one to six weeks after the last dose.

In a blood test, Valium remains detectable for six to 48 hours. However, because of the invasive nature of this examination method and its relatively short detection window, it’s not as common as other tests. Still, some forensic settings require this type of screening. It may also be necessary to confirm a positive urine result.

In saliva, the drug is detectable for one to ten days after the last dose. Because of this, it’s a viable alternative to urine testing when it comes to detecting benzodiazepines like Valium. However, it has its fair share of difficulties. For instance, collecting samples and finding detectable amounts of the substance can be challenging because the drug’s side effects can include dry mouth or hypersalivation.

Valium remains detectable for the longest amount of time in hair follicle tests, as it can be visible for up to 90 days. Because of this long detection window, it can be a viable measure for past substance use. It’s best to inform the testing lab that you’ve been prescribed this medication even if you’re not currently taking it.

Some substances give a false-positive result for Valium in some drug screens, such as antidepressant medications like Zoloft (sertraline) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Daypro (oxaprozin).

Clearing Valium from Your System

If you want to clear Valium out of your system, it’s best to stop taking the drug, but never do so without the advice of your physician. You may experience withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly quit, so it’s crucial to discuss some safe methods of stopping with your doctor. They may prescribe lower and lower doses of the drug to avoid withdrawal effects.

Can Valium Lead to Addiction?

Although benzodiazepines like Valium were initially developed to act as substitutes for barbiturates, which are more dangerous and addictive, they can lead to physical dependence and addiction themselves. 

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) lists these drugs under the Schedule IV controlled substances, which have a very low risk for abuse. Still, there are some cases of dependence and addiction to Valium. When this happens, it can be difficult to stop entirely.

When patients develop an addiction, they may seek higher doses to feel the drug’s effects. This can be dangerous because you’ll risk experiencing Valium’s serious side effects or even overdose.

Deal with Valium Addiction Today

Valium (diazepam) is a commonly prescribed medication for anxiety disorders and a number of other health conditions. Its effects last for four to six hours, but its metabolites can remain detectable for up to 90 days, depending on the testing method. Although it has a low potential for abuse, long-term use can still result in dependence, tolerance, and addiction.

Source: https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682047.html 

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The post Valium: Effects, Risks, How Long It Lasts in the Body appeared first on American Drug Rehabs.