Diazepam Injection

Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP Last updated on RxList:10/7/2021

Drug Summary

What Is Diazepam Injection?

注射安定(品牌:Valium) is a benzodiazepine used to treat anxiety and muscle spasms. The injection form of diazepam is used when the medication cannot be taken by mouth. Diazepam injection is also used in patients with alcohol withdrawal to prevent seizures and treat other symptoms (e.g., agitation, anxiety, hallucinations), for short-term treatment of serious seizures that do not stop (status epilepticus), or before surgeries or procedures to cause drowsiness, decrease anxiety, and cause forgetfulness about the procedure or surgery. Diazepam injection is available ingenericform.

What Is Diazepam Injection?

What Are Side Effects of Diazepam Injection?

常见的副作用安定注入include:

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of diazepam injection including:

  • fainting,
  • fast or irregular heartbeat,
  • mental/mood changes (e.g., confusion, depression, strange thoughts),
  • muscle weakness,
  • vision changes (e.g., blurred/double vision),
  • slow or shallow breathing,
  • easy bleeding or bruising,
  • chest pain,
  • loss of consciousness,
  • signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistentsore throat),
  • slurred speech,
  • severe stomach or abdominal pain,
  • unusual tiredness,
  • dark urine,
  • difficulty walking, or
  • yellowing eyes or skin.

Dosage for Diazepam Injection

Dosage of Diazepam Injection depends on the condition being treated and its severity. The usual recommended dose in older children and adults ranges from 2 mg to 20 mg I.M. or I.V.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Diazepam Injection?

Diazepam Injection may interact with fluvoxamine, kava, phenytoin, cimetidine, ketoconazole, omeprazole,antihistamines, anti-seizuredrugs, medicine for sleep or anxiety, muscle relaxants, narcotics, or psychiatric medicines.

Diazepam Injection During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding

This medication contains a small amount of alcohol. Tell your doctor if you are taking drugs such as disulfiram or metronidazole that can adversely interact with alcohol. Diazepam Injection is not recommended for use during pregnancy. It may harm a fetus. This drug may pass into breast milk and have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Breastfeeding while using this medication is not recommended. Diazepam Injection may causewithdrawal symptoms(shakiness, trouble sleeping, muscle cramps, vomiting, sweating, seizures, mental/mood changes such as anxiety/agitation) if you suddenly stop using this medication.

Additional Information

Our Diazepam Injection (brand name: Valium) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

Drug Description

DESCRIPTION

Diazepam is a benzodiazepine derivative. The chemical name of diazepam is 7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-1- methyl-5-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one. It is a colorless to light yellow crystalline compound, insoluble in water. The molecular formula is C16H13ClN2O and the molecular weight is 284.74. The structural formula is as follows:

DIAZEPAM- diazepam  Structural Formula Illustration

Diazepam is available for oral administration as tablets containing 2 mg, 5 mg or 10 mg diazepam, USP. In addition to the active ingredient diazepam, each tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: colloidalsilicondioxide, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch (corn) and sodium lauryl sulfate. The following coloring agents are employed:

2 mg - none
5 mg - FD&C Yellow No.6 Aluminum Lake
10 mg - FD&C Blue No. 1 Aluminum Lake and D&C Yellow No. 10 Aluminum Lake.

Drug Description

DESCRIPTION

Diazepam Injection, USP is a sterile, nonpyrogenic solution intended for intramuscular or intravenous administration. Each milliliter (mL) contains 5 mg diazepam; 40% propylene glycol; 10% alcohol; 5% sodium benzoate and benzoic acid added as buffers; and 1.5% benzyl alcohol added as a preservative. pH 6.6 (6.2 to 6.9). Note: Solution may appear colorless to light yellow.

Diazepam is a benzodiazepine derivative chemically designated as 7-chloro-1,3-dihydro-1-methyl-5- phenyl-2H-1,4-benzodiazepin-2-one. It is a colorless crystalline compound, insoluble in water, with the following molecular structure:

Indications

INDICATIONS

安定片、USP的管理表示ment of anxiety disorders or for the short-term relief of the symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety or tension associated with the stress of everyday life usually does not require treatment with an anxiolytic.

In acute alcohol withdrawal, diazepam tablets may be useful in the symptomatic relief of acute agitation, tremor, impending or acute delirium tremens and hallucinosis.

Diazepam tablets are a useful adjunct for the relief of skeletal muscle spasm due to reflex spasm to local pathology (such as inflammation of the muscles or joints, or secondary to trauma), spasticity caused by upper motor neuron disorders (such as cerebral palsy and paraplegia), athetosis, and stiff-man syndrome.

Oral diazepam tablets may be used adjunctively in convulsive disorders, although it has not proved useful as the sole therapy.

The effectiveness of diazepam tablets in long-term use, that is, more than 4 months, has not been assessed by systematic clinical studies. The physician should periodically reassess the usefulness of the drug for the individual patient.

Dosage

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Dosage should be individualized for maximum beneficial effect. While the usual daily dosages given below will meet the needs of most patients, there will be some who may require higher doses. In such cases dosage should be increased cautiously to avoid adverse effects.

ADULTS: USUAL DAILY DOSE:
Management of Anxiety Disorders and Relief of Symptoms of Anxiety Depending upon severity of symptoms—2 mg to 10 mg, 2 to 4 times daily
Symptomatic Relief in Acute Alcohol Withdrawal 10 mg, 3 or 4 times during the first 24 hours, reducing to 5 mg, 3 or 4 times daily as needed
Adjunctively for Relief of Skeletal Muscle Spasm 2 mg to 10 mg, 3 or 4 times daily
Adjunctively in Convulsive Disorders 2 mg to 10 mg, 2 to 4 times daily
Geriatric Patients, or in the presence of debilitating disease 2 mg to 2.5 mg, 1 or 2 times daily initially; increase gradually as needed and tolerated
PEDIATRIC PATIENTS:
Because of varied responses to CNS-acting drugs, initiate therapy with lowest dose and increase as required. Not for use in pediatric patients under 6 months 1 mg to 2.5 mg, 3 or 4 times daily initially; increase gradually as needed and tolerated

HOW SUPPLIED

Diazepam Tablets, USP are available containing 2 mg, 5 mg or 10 mg of diazepam, USP.

The2 mgtablets are white, round, scored tablets debossed with MYLAN over 271 on one side and the other side being scored. They are available as follows:

NDC0378-0271-01 bottles of 100 tablets
NDC
0378-0271-05 bottles of 500 tablets

The5 mgtablets are orange, round, scored tablets debossed with MYLAN over 345 on one side and the other side being scored. They are available as follows:

NDC0378-0345-01 bottles of 100 tablets
NDC
0378-0345-05 bottles of 500 tablets

The10 mg平板电脑是绿色的,圆的,平板电脑凹面图形with MYLAN over 477 on one side and the other side being scored. They are available as follows:

NDC0378-0477-01 bottles of 100 tablets
NDC0378-0477-05 bottles of 500 tablets

Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F). [See USP Controlled Room Temperature.]

Protect from light.

分配在一个紧,耐光的容器defined in the USP using a child-resistant closure.

Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.: Morgantown, WV 26505 U.S.A. Revised: Sep 2015

Side Effects

SIDE EFFECTS

Side effects most commonly reported were drowsiness, fatigue, muscle weakness, andataxia. The following have also been reported:

Central Nervous System:confusion, depression,dysarthria, headache, slurred speech,tremor,vertigo

Gastrointestinal System:constipation, nausea,gastrointestinaldisturbances

Special Senses :blurred vision,diplopia, dizziness

Cardiovascular System:hypotension

Psychiatric and Paradoxical Reactions :stimulation, restlessness, acute hyperexcited states, anxiety, agitation, aggressiveness, irritability, rage, hallucinations, psychoses, delusions, increased musclespasticity, insomnia, sleep disturbances, and nightmares. Inappropriate behavior and other adverse behavioral effects have been reported when usingbenzodiazepines. Should these occur, use of the drug should be discontinued. They are more likely to occur in children and in the elderly.

Urogenital System:incontinence, changes inlibido, urinary retention

Skin and Appendages :skin reactions

Laboratories :elevated transaminases and alkaline phosphatase

Other:changes in salivation, includingdry mouth, hypersalivation

Antegrade amnesiamay occur using therapeutic dosages, the risk increasing at higher dosages. Amnestic effects may be associated with inappropriate behavior.

Minor changes inEEGpatterns, usually low-voltage fast activity, have been observed in patients during and after diazepam therapy and are of no known significance.

Because of isolated reports ofneutropeniaandjaundice, periodic blood counts and liver function tests are advisable during long-term therapy.

Postmarketing Experience

Injury, Poisoning, And Procedural Complications

There have been reports of falls and fractures in benzodiazepine users. The risk is increased in those taking concomitant sedatives (including alcohol) and in the elderly.

Drug Abuse And Dependence

Diazepam is subject to Schedule IV control under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. Abuse and dependence of benzodiazepines have been reported. Addiction-proneindividuals (such as drug addicts or alcoholics) should be under careful surveillance when receiving diazepam or other psychotropic agents because of the predisposition of such patients to habituation and dependence. Once physical dependence to benzodiazepines has developed, termination of treatment will be accompanied bywithdrawal symptoms. The risk is more pronounced in patients on long-term therapy.

Withdrawal symptoms, similar in character to those noted with barbiturates and alcohol have occurred following abrupt discontinuance of diazepam. These withdrawal symptoms may consist of tremor, abdominal and muscle cramps, vomiting, sweating, headache, muscle pain, extreme anxiety, tension, restlessness, confusion and irritability. In severe cases, the following symptoms may occur: derealization, depersonalization, hyperacusis, numbness and tingling of the extremities, hypersensitivity to light, noise and physical contact, hallucinations or epileptic seizures. The more severe withdrawal symptoms have usually been limited to those patients who had received excessive doses over an extended period of time. Generally milder withdrawal symptoms (e.g.,dysphoriaand insomnia) have been reported following abrupt discontinuance of benzodiazepines taken continuously at therapeutic levels for several months. Consequently, after extended therapy, abrupt discontinuation should generally be avoided and a gradual dosage tapering schedule followed.

Chronic use (even at therapeutic doses) may lead to the development of physical dependence: discontinuation of the therapy may result in withdrawal or rebound phenomena.

Rebound Anxiety

A transient syndrome whereby the symptoms that led to treatment with diazepam recur in an enhanced form. This may occur upon discontinuation of treatment. It may be accompanied by other reactions including mood changes, anxiety, and restlessness.

Since the risk of withdrawal phenomena and rebound phenomena is greater after abrupt discontinuation of treatment, it is recommended that the dosage be decreased gradually.

Drug Interactions

DRUG INTERACTIONS

Centrally Acting Agents

If diazepam is to be combined with other centrally acting agents, careful consideration should be given to thepharmacologyof the agents employed particularly with compounds that may potentiate or be potentiated by the action of diazepam, such as phenothiazines, antipsychotics, anxiolytics/sedatives, hypnotics, anticonvulsants,narcoticanalgesics, anesthetics,sedativeantihistamines, narcotics, barbiturates, MAO inhibitors and otherantidepressants.

Alcohol

Concomitant use with alcohol is not recommended due to enhancement of the sedative effect.

Antacids

Diazepam peak concentrations are 30% lower when antacids are administered concurrently. However, there is no effect on the extent of absorption. The lower peak concentrations appear due to a slower rate of absorption, with the time required to achieve peak concentrations on average 20 to 25 minutes greater in the presence of antacids. However, this difference was not statistically significant.

Compounds Which Inhibit Certain Hepatic Enzymes

There is a potentially relevant interaction between diazepam and compounds which inhibit certain hepatic enzymes (particularly cytochrome P450 3A and 2C19). Data indicate that these compounds influence the pharmacokinetics of diazepam and may lead to increased and prolonged sedation. At present, this reaction is known to occur with cimetidine, ketoconazole, fluvoxamine, fluoxetine, and omeprazole.

Phenytoin

There have also been reports that the metabolic elimination of phenytoin is decreased by diazepam.

Warnings

警告

Diazepam is not recommended in the treatment of psychotic patients and should not be employed instead of appropriate treatment.

Since diazepam has acentral nervous systemdepressant effect, patients should be advised against the simultaneous ingestion of alcohol and other CNS-depressant drugs during diazepam therapy.

As with other agents that haveanticonvulsantactivity, when diazepam is used as an adjunct in treating convulsive disorders, the possibility of an increase in the frequency and/or severity ofgrand malseizures may require an increase in the dosage of standard anticonvulsant medication. Abrupt withdrawal of diazepam in such cases may also be associated with a temporary increase in the frequency and/or severity of seizures.

Pregnancy

An increased risk ofcongenitalmalformations and other developmental abnormalities associated with the use of benzodiazepine drugs during pregnancy has been suggested. There may also be nonteratogenic risks associated with the use of benzodiazepines during pregnancy. There have been reports ofneonatalflaccidity, respiratory and feeding difficulties, andhypothermiain children born to mothers who have been receiving benzodiazepines late in pregnancy. In addition, children born to mothers receiving benzodiazepines on a regular basis late in pregnancy may be at some risk of experiencing withdrawal symptoms during the postnatal period.

Diazepam has been shown to beteratogenicin mice and hamsters when given orally at daily doses of 100 mg/kg or greater (approximately eight times the maximum recommended human dose [MRHD = 1 mg/kg/day] or greater on a mg/m² basis).Cleft palateandencephalopathyare the most common and consistently reported malformations produced in these species by administration of high, maternally toxic doses of diazepam during organogenesis. Rodent studies have indicated thatprenatalexposure to diazepam doses similar to those used clinically can produce long-term changes in cellular immune responses, brain neurochemistry, and behavior.

In general, the use of diazepam in women of childbearing potential, and more specifically during known pregnancy, should be considered only when the clinical situation warrants the risk to the fetus. The possibility that a woman of childbearing potential may be pregnant at the time of institution of therapy should be considered. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential hazard to the fetus. Patients should also be advised that if they become pregnant during therapy or intend to become pregnant they should communicate with their physician about the desirability of discontinuing the drug.

Labor And Delivery

Special care must be taken when diazepam is used during labor and delivery, as high single doses may produce irregularities in the fetal heart rate andhypotonia, poor sucking, hypothermia, and moderate respiratory depression in the neonates. With newborn infants it must be remembered that the enzyme system involved in the breakdown of the drug is not yet fully developed (especially in premature infants).

Nursing Mothers

Diazepam passes into breast milk. Breastfeeding is therefore not recommended in patients receiving diazepam.

Precautions

PRECAUTIONS

General

如果要结合其他psychotro安定pic agents or anticonvulsant drugs, careful consideration should be given to the pharmacology of the agents to be employed - particularly with known compounds that may potentiate the action of diazepam, such as phenothiazines, narcotics, barbiturates, MAO inhibitors and other antidepressants (seeDRUG INTERACTIONS).

The usual precautions are indicated for severely depressed patients or those in whom there is any evidence oflatentdepression or anxiety associated with depression, particularly the recognition that suicidal tendencies may be present and protective measures may be necessary.

Psychiatric and paradoxical reactions are known to occur when using benzodiazepines (seeADVERSE REACTIONS). Should this occur, use of the drug should be discontinued. These reactions are more likely to occur in children and the elderly.

A lower dose is recommended for patients with chronicrespiratory insufficiency, due to the risk ofrespiratory depression.

Benzodiazepines should be used with extreme caution in patients with a history of alcohol or drug abuse (seeDrug Abuse And Dependence).

In debilitated patients, it is recommended that the dosage be limited to the smallest effective amount to preclude the development of ataxia or oversedation (2 mg to 2.5 mg once or twice daily, initially, to be increased gradually as needed and tolerated).

Some loss of response to the effects of benzodiazepines may develop after repeated use of diazepam for a prolonged time.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility

In studies in which mice and rats were administered diazepam in the diet at a dose of 75 mg/kg/day (approximately 6 and 12 times, respectively, the maximum recommended human dose [MRHD = 1 mg/kg/day] on a mg/m² basis) for 80 and 104 weeks, respectively, an increased incidence of liver tumors was observed in males of both species. The data currently available are inadequate to determine the mutagenic potential of diazepam. Reproduction studies in rats showed decreases in the number of pregnancies and in the number of surviving offspring following administration of an oral dose of 100 mg/kg/day (approximately 16 times the MRHD on a mg/m² basis) prior to and during mating and throughout gestation and lactation. No adverse effects on fertility or offspring viability were noted at a dose of 80 mg/kg/day (approximately 13 times the MRHD on a mg/m² basis).

Pregnancy

Teratogenic Effects

Pregnancy Category D.

(see警告:Pregnancy).

Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of 6 months have not been established.

Geriatric Use

In elderly patients, it is recommended that the dosage be limited to the smallest effective amount to preclude the development of ataxia or oversedation (2 mg to 2.5 mg once or twice daily, initially to be increased gradually as needed and tolerated).

Extensive accumulation of diazepam and its major metabolite, desmethyldiazepam, has been noted following chronic administration of diazepam in healthy elderly male subjects. Metabolites of this drug are known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function.

Hepatic Insufficiency

Decreases in clearance and protein binding, and increases in volume of distribution and half-life has been reported in patients withcirrhosis. In such patients, a 2-fold to 5-fold increase in mean half-life has been reported. Delayed elimination has also been reported for the active metabolite desmethyldiazepam. Benzodiazepines are commonly implicated inhepatic encephalopathy. Increases in half-life have also been reported in hepatic fibrosis and in both acute and chronichepatitis(seeCLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY:Pharmacokinetics in Special Populations:Hepatic Insufficiency).

Overdose

OVERDOSE

Overdose of benzodiazepines is usually manifested by central nervous system depression ranging from drowsiness to coma. In mild cases, symptoms include drowsiness, confusion, andlethargy. In more serious cases, symptoms may include ataxia, diminished reflexes, hypotonia, hypotension, respiratory depression, coma (rarely), and death (very rarely). Overdose of benzodiazepines in combination with other CNS depressants (including alcohol) may be fatal and should be closely monitored.

Management Of Overdosage

Following overdose with oral benzodiazepines, general supportive measures should be employed including the monitoring ofrespiration,pulse, and blood pressure. Vomiting should be induced (within one hour) if the patient is conscious.Gastriclavage should be undertaken with the airway protected if the patient isunconscious. Intravenous fluids should be administered. If there is no advantage in emptying the stomach,activated charcoalshould be given to reduce absorption. Special attention should be paid to respiratory and cardiac function inintensive care. General supportive measures should be employed, along with intravenous fluids, and an adequate airway maintained. Should hypotension develop, treatment may include intravenous fluid therapy, repositioning, judicious use of vasopressors appropriate to the clinical situation, if indicated, and other appropriate countermeasures.Dialysisis of limited value.

As with the management of intentional overdosage with any drug, it should be considered that multiple agents may have been ingested.

Flumazenil, a specific benzodiazepine-receptorantagonist, is indicated for the complete or partial reversal of the sedative effects of benzodiazepines and may be used in situations when an overdose with a benzodiazepine is known or suspected. Prior to the administration of flumazenil, necessary measures should be instituted to secure airway,ventilationand intravenousaccess. Flumazenil is intended as an adjunct to, not as a substitute for, proper management of benzodiazepine overdose. Patients treated with flumazenil should be monitored for resedation, respiratory depression and otherresidualbenzodiazepine effects for an appropriate period after treatment.The prescribers hould be aware of a risk of seizure in association with flumazenil treatment, particularly in long-term benzodiazepine users and in cyclic antidepressant overdose.Caution should be observed in the use of flumazenil in epileptic patients treated with benzodiazepines. The complete flumazenil package insert, including CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS, and PRECAUTIONS, should be consulted prior to use.

Withdrawal symptoms of the barbiturate type have occurred after the discontinuation of benzodiazepines (seeDrug Abuse And Dependence).

Contraindications

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Diazepam tablets are contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to diazepam and, because of lack of sufficient clinical experience, in pediatric patients under 6 months of age. Diazepam is also contraindicated in patients withmyasthenia gravis, severe respiratory insufficiency, severe hepatic insufficiency, andsleep apneasyndrome. It may be used in patients withopen-angle glaucomawho are receiving appropriate therapy, but is contraindicated in acute narrow-angleglaucoma.

Clinical Pharmacology

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

Diazepam is a benzodiazepine that exerts anxiolytic, sedative, muscle-relaxant, anticonvulsant and amnestic effects. Most of these effects are thought to result from a facilitation of the action of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitoryneurotransmitterin the central nervous system.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption

口服后> 90%的安定是absorbed and the average time to achieve peak plasma concentrations is 1 to 1.5 hours with a range of 0.25 to 2.5 hours. Absorption is delayed and decreased when administered with a moderate fat meal. In the presence of food mean lag times are approximately 45 minutes as compared with 15 minutes when fasting. There is also an increase in the average time to achieve peak concentrations to about 2.5 hours in the presence of food as compared with 1.25 hours when fasting. This results in an average decrease in Cmax of 20% in addition to a 27% decrease in AUC (range 15% to 50%) when administered with food.

Distribution

Diazepam and its metabolites are highly bound to plasma proteins (diazepam 98%). Diazepam and its metabolites cross the blood-brain and placental barriers and are also found in breast milk in concentrations approximately one tenth of those in maternal plasma (days 3 to 9 post-partum). In young healthy males, the volume of distribution at steady-state is 0.8 to 1 L/kg. The decline in the plasma concentration-time profile after oral administration is biphasic. The initial distribution phase has a halflife of approximately one hour, although it may range up to > 3 hours.

Metabolism

Diazepam is N-demethylated by CYP3A4 and 2C19 to the active metabolite N-desmethyldiazepam, and is hydroxylated by CYP3A4 to the active metabolite temazepam. N-desmethyldiazepam and temazepam are both further metabolized to oxazepam. Temazepam and oxazepam are largely eliminated by glucuronidation.

Elimination

The initial distribution phase is followed by a prolonged terminal elimination phase (half-life up to 48 hours). The terminal elimination half-life of the active metabolite N-desmethyldiazepam is up to 100 hours. Diazepam and its metabolites are excreted mainly in the urine, predominantly as their glucuronide conjugates. The clearance of diazepam is 20 to 30 mL/min in young adults. Diazepam accumulates upon multiple dosing and there is some evidence that the terminal elimination half-life is slightly prolonged.

Pharmacokinetics In Special Populations

Children

In children 3 to 8 years old the mean half-life of diazepam has been reported to be 18 hours.

Newborns

In full term infants, elimination half-lives around 30 hours have been reported, with a longer average half-life of 54 hours reported in premature infants of 28 to 34 weeks gestational age and 8 to 81 days post-partum. In both premature and full term infants the active metabolite desmethyldiazepam shows evidence of continued accumulation compared to children. Longer half-lives in infants may be due to incomplete maturation of metabolic pathways.

Geriatric

Elimination half-life increases by approximately one hour for each year of age beginning with a halflife of 20 hours at 20 years of age. This appears to be due to an increase in volume of distribution with age and a decrease in clearance. Consequently, the elderly may have lower peak concentrations, and on multiple dosing higher trough concentrations. It will also take longer to reach steady-state. Conflicting information has been published on changes of plasma protein binding in the elderly. Reported changes in free drug may be due to significant decreases in plasma proteins due to causes other than simplyaging.

Hepatic Insufficiency

In mild and moderate cirrhosis, average half-life is increased. The average increase has been variously reported from 2-fold to 5-fold, with individual half-lives over 500 hours reported. There is also an increase in volume of distribution, and average clearance decreases by almost half. Mean half-life is also prolonged with hepatic fibrosis to 90 hours (range 66 to 104 hours), with chronic active hepatitis to 60 hours (range 26 to 76 hours), and with acuteviral hepatitisto 74 hours (range 49 to 129). In chronic active hepatitis, clearance is decreased by almost half.

Medication Guide

PATIENT INFORMATION

To assure the safe and effective use of benzodiazepines, patients should be informed that, since benzodiazepines may produce psychological and physical dependence, it is advisable that they consult with their physician before either increasing the dose or abruptly discontinuing this drug. The risk of dependence increases with duration of treatment; it is also greater in patients with a history of alcohol or drug abuse.

Patients should be advised against the simultaneous ingestion of alcohol and other CNS-depressant drugs during diazepam therapy. As is true of most CNS-acting drugs, patients receiving diazepam should be cautioned against engaging in hazardous occupations requiring complete mental alertness, such as operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle.

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