How much diazepam is too much

How much diazepam is too much

 

To call it overdosing on diazepam, it requires taking a very high amount of diazepam in the system. More, how much diazepam is safe and how much diazepam is too much inside.

What Is Diazepam and How Does It Work?

Diazepam as an anticonvulsant drug is used to treat episodes of increased seizures (such as cluster or breakthrough seizures). It’s used as an add-on medication in people who are already taking other drugs to control their seizures.

This medication is only recommended for the short-term treatment of seizure attacks. To understand more, It is not for continuous daily use for seizures prevention like other antiepileptics. Uncontrolled episodes of seizures can be very harmful seizures that do not stop and may contribute to death (status epilepticus).

 

Diazepam is contraindicated for children younger than 6 months, serious side effects may occur.

 

Diazepam belongs to a group of medicines (benzodiazepines) that work by enhancing calming neurotransmitters in the brain causing a sedative effect.

 

Diazepam is available under the following various trademark names:

Diazepam, Valium, Diastat, and Diastat AcuDial.

 

Diazepam strengths

Diazepam is available as:

-Oral tablets: strengths of 2 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg.

(It may be prescribed in doses ranging from 2 mg to 10 mg, 2-4 times per day).

 

-Rectal gel: strengths of 2.5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg. (a lower dose may be recommended).

 

-Injectable solution: strength of 5mg/mL (in-hospital use).

 

-Intramuscular device: strength of 5mg/mL (in-hospital use).

 

How much diazepam should I take?

Diazepam is a prescription drug. You should only take the dose prescribed to you by your doctor based on your case. Never take more than recommended by a healthcare provider, and only take this medication as directed.

 

How much diazepam is safe?

The approved daily dose of diazepam is 4 to 40 mg throughout the day. Overdosing on diazepam requires taking times and times of the maximum recommended dose. Little more isn’t a serious dose as  people have been reported taking doses of up to 2000 mg and experiencing only insignificant toxicity. So this medication is considered safe and very difficult to overdose on.

 

Is diazepam addictive?

You can acquire a tolerance to diazepam medication especially If you take it for the long term. You can also develop eventual dependence or addiction. This risk is increased in people who are taking diazepam in high doses.

 

Overdosing

It’s possible to overdose on diazepam, especially when it is used with other drugs or alcohol. The effects of diazepam in the brain are linked to two key neurotransmitters called GABA and dopamine. While GABA is reducing brain activity and this medication enhances its effects, diazepam is so effective as an anti-anxiety drug. Dopamine is responsible for dependence and this medication boosts dopamine levels in the brain, which stimulates dependence and addiction.

 

Much GABA activity is the main reason for diazepam overdose symptoms. This increased effect causes the CNS to slow down to the point where respiration and heart rate are involved. When breathing becomes so slow and uneven causing oxygen depletion in the brain, respiratory depression occurs.

Respiratory depression can cause unconsciousness, coma, and death.

Combining two or more central nervous system depressants like alcohol puts you at a higher risk of an overdose. Also, opioids or other benzodiazepines can’t be taken within a few hours of diazepam.

 

Addiction

Benzodiazepines may be addictive. However, diazepam is addictive with longer-lasting effects than other benzodiazepines. An addiction to this medication can advance shortly if the drug is used for longer than 4-6 weeks. Using this medication in a way not authorized by a doctor also contributes to addiction.

 

Over time, it is harder for a diazepam dependent brain to process naturally without the medication. The dangerous issue also is some people addicted to this drug may not even know that they have a problem.

 

Withdrawal

Withdrawal symptoms occur when the person stops taking or lowers the dose of a tolerable drug abruptly. These are a series of physical and mental negative symptoms.

 

These symptoms include:

• restlessness
• agitation
• irritability
• headaches
• muscle aches
• vomiting
• sweating
• tremors
• anxiety
• insomnia
• tension
• confusion
• dysphoria

 

In more severe cases, diazepam withdrawal signs are underlined by:

• depersonalization
• numbness
• tingling of limbs
• hypersensitivity
• seizures

 

Withdrawal management

Physicians create a tapering strategy for diazepam for people who have a physical dependence on it. Another benzodiazepine is combined with diazepam and slowly the diazepam dose is lowered till discontinuation.

 

Other drugs may be used:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Melatonin

Anticonvulsant medications

Muscle relaxant baclofen

Valium stress test

Actavis diazepam

mgs diazepam