VALIUM®TRANSCRIPT (page 1 of 3)If you have anxiety, seizures, or muscle spasms, you may be prescribed Valium. Youmay also be familiar with its generic name, Diazepam.Valium is a high alert medication, which means if you do not take it exactly asprescribed, it may cause illness or injury.To understand how Valium works, let’s look at how anxiety affects your body.Your brain is constantly firing information and messages to the rest of your body,telling you what to think, what to feel and what to do. When you are faced with asituation that makes you anxious or causes you to panic, your brain puts you in a stateof alert and gets you ready to face the situation.When it passes, the nerve signals in your brain slow down and your body calms. Butwhen you suffer from anxiety, your brain can’t turn off that state of alert.Valium enhances a chemical in the brain called GABA, which helps calm you down.And it slows pain signals going down the spine to help reduce muscle spasms.Valium comes in a tablet, liquid or rectal gel. Your healthcare provider will decide howmuch you need to take, but tablets come in 2 milligram, 5 milligram and 10 milligramdosages.Valium is a powerful medication. Some people should not take it. Do not take Valium ifyou are allergic to other anti-anxiety medications like Klonopin or Xanax.Do not take Valium if you have liver disease, breathing problems, glaucoma or sleepapnea.Do not take Valium if you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or breastfeeding.Valium can harm your baby.20% gradient meshBefore taking Valium, tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of: asthma orother breathing problems, glaucoma, liver or kidney problems, epilepsy, or depressionhealthclipsor suicidal thoughts.healthclipsValium can be highly addictive. If you have a history of abuse of: street drugs,prescription medications, or alcohol, tell your healthcare provider. There mayhealthclipsbe adifferent medication available for you.healthclips(Continued on next page)4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_md_10020_98_en_t00002.pdf healthclips© Milner-Fenwick, Inc.5% gradient meshVALIUM®TRANSCRIPT (page 2 of 3)Some side effects of Valium include: dizziness, feeling tired, feeling lightheaded, ormuscle weakness.If you do notice any of these side effects, contact your healthcare provider about howto manage them.Eating grapefruit, or drinking grapefruit juice, while taking Valium can increase yourside effects. If you do eat grapefruit, eat or drink about the same amount every day toavoid an increase in side effects.Be aware that you are at an increased risk of falling while taking Valium. Get up from asitting or lying position slowly.Do not drive or operate heavy machinery, including your car, until you know howValium affects you.Do not drink alcohol while taking Valium. Valium can increase the effects of alcohol.If you have an allergic reaction like: trouble breathing, hives, or swelling of your faceor throat, call 911.This is not a complete list of side effects. Make sure you discuss all possible sideeffects with your healthcare provider.Take Valium exactly as prescribed. Do not change your dose or take it for longer thanprescribed.If you have been prescribed liquid Valium, use a dose measuring spoon or medicinecup to make sure you get the correct amount. Do not use a regular kitchen spoon.You may need to take your Valium several times throughout the day dependingon20% gradient meshyour prescription. Try setting an alert on your phone or watch so you don’t forget.If you miss a dose, take your Valium as soon as possible. If it is almost time foryourhealthclipsnext dose, skip your missed dose and return to your normal medication schedule.healthclipsDo not double dose. If you think you have taken too much Valium, call 911. Anoverdose can lead to death.healthclipshealthclips(Continued on next page)4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_md_10020_98_en_t00002.pdf healthclips© Milner-Fenwick, Inc.5% gradient meshVALIUM®TRANSCRIPT (page 3 of 3)If you have been prescribed Valium rectal gel, make sure you discuss how to properlyadminister it with your healthcare provider.Store Valium away from moisture and direct sunlight. Your bathroom medicine cabinetis not the best place because of moisture. Do not leave your medication where it canget too hot or too cold. Always store your medication out of sight and out of reach ofchildren to prevent accidents.Because Valium can cause dependency, it can be a very desirable drug to addicts. Lockthis medication up to prevent stealing and abuse.When you are done taking Valium tablets, crush all of your remaining pills and mixthem with undesirable trash like kitty litter or coffee grounds. Dispose of liquid Valiumby flushing it down a drain or toilet.Do not sell or give your Valium to anyone else. It is against the law and can seriouslyharm anyone else taking it. Contact your local police station for more information onproper disposal directions.Valium can help you manage anxiety, muscle spasms, or seizures. But it is a powerfulmedication that should only be taken exactly as prescribed. If you have any questionsabout Valium, ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist for more information.20% gradient meshhealthclipshealthclipshealthclipshealthclips4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_md_10020_98_en_t00002.pdf healthclips© Milner-Fenwick, Inc.5% gradient mesh
