Diazepam (Valium)

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Diazepam is a medication that belongs to a family of medications called benzodiazepines, sometimes referred to as a 'benzo' (NHS Inform, 2022). Diazepam tablets are a prescription drug often used to treat anxiety disorders, muscle spasms (Mayo Clinic, 2024), alcohol withdrawal symptoms and insomnia. Diazepam used to commonly be known as Valium, although this brand of diazepam tablet is no longer available in the UK. Long term use is often not recommended, as these type of prescription drugs can lead to drug abuse due to become addictive, as reported in studies on Valium addiction (Calcaterra & Barrow, 2014; Dhaliwal et al, 2022).

  • Helps you to relieve anxiety
  • Part of the anxiolytic-benzodiazepine group
  • Also effective for the treatment of insomnia
  • Genuine Medication
  • Shipped from EU Pharmacies
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Buy Diazepam

Buy Valium

You can safely buy genuine tablets of Diazepam on the EU Meds website. First, an online consultation with a doctor is necessary before the drug can be provided, to assess if a valid prescription can be issued. Online counselling ensures that Diazepam (Valium) is the correct treatment for your needs. This process helps to ensure that buying Diazepam online is safe and suitable for you, similar to the process at an online pharmacy. You should always consult your doctor or healthcare provider prior to starting treatment with any medication to ensure that it is suitable and safe for your individual needs.

  • Diazepam is a drug used to treat anxiety, a panic attack disorder, muscle spasms (including treatment for spasms related to cerebral palsy) and seizures (fits) (NHS, 2022; Dhaliwal et al, 2022)
  • Some people are prescribed diazepam as a medicine to help them relax before medical procedures. It can be prescribed as a muscle relaxant (Mayo Clinic, 2023) for muscle pain
  • Diazepam used to commonly be known as Valium, although this brand of diazepam is no longer available in the UK (NHS, 2022)
  • It is a controlled substance (also referred to as ‘Class C drugs’) (Release.org.uk, 2022).
  • Diazepam is commonly taken as a tablet, but can be prescribed in liquid form or as a rectal medication (NHS, 2022)
  • It is recommended that diazepam is not taken for more than four weeks at a time as there is a risk that people become dependent on the medication (Young Minds, 2023). Your doctor will be able to explain the correct length of time to use the medication to suit your individual requirements.
  • As diazepam can make you feel sleepy, you must not drive or use heavy machinery or tools whilst taking it (Marshall, H., 2020)
  • According to Griffin et al (2013), Diazepam interacts with equal affinity on all BZD-sensitive receptors in the central nervous system.
  • It is important to read the patient leaflet for a full list of common side effects and cautions, and you should always consult your doctor for advice on appropriate treatment for your specific medical condition.
Type of drugBenzodiazepine / Depressant
Health conditions prescribed forInsomnia, anxiety, panic disorder, muscle spasms, alcohol withdrawal (Weintraub, S., 2017)
Active IngredientsDiazepam
Brand namesValium
Available strengths2mg, 5mg, 10mg
Available asTablets, rectal solution, injections
Possible side effectsSleepiness, severe drowsiness, confusion, lack of coordination, imbalance, shaky hands (tremors)
Patient Information LeafletFor more information about this medication, see the Diazepam patient information leaflet.

For more information on the prescription medication please refer to the Diazepam patient information leaflet.

Take a look at the video below to get a simple overview of Diazepam, including what it is used for, dosages, side effects and precautions:

Benzodiazepines including diazepam work by increasing certain chemicals in the brain, enhancing the binding of GABA to GABA receptors (Michel, T., 2011). These chemicals have a calming effect on the brain (Cuncic, A., 2022), which can help to reduce anxiety, help your muscles to relax, or make you feel relaxed or drowsy. It can even stop seizure activity (Epilepsy Foundation, 2018). Sometimes diazepam is prescribed as a sleeping aid (Young Minds, 2023).

Because a diazepam pill can have lots of different effects, it is prescribed for a range of different medical conditions. These might include anxiety, difficulty falling asleep or as an emergency medication to be given during seizures.

Every patient suffering from anxiety disorders, insomnia or muscle spasms has a unique individual experience when taking Diazepam as a treatment.

User Reviews for Diazepam

To see what people have to say about their experiences with the medication, take a look at the Diazepam user reviews available at Drugs.com and Web MD.

Diazepam Tablets

For anxiety, difficulty sleeping or muscle stiffness, diazepam is taken by mouth as a tablet. People who have difficulty swallowing might be prescribed an oral solution instead. You can buy diazepam online in the UK from EU Meds if you have been recommened it as a treatment by your doctor.

To stop seizures in children, rectal diazepam is often prescribed as it begins working quickly when administered in this manner (NHS Wales, 2019).

Diazepam 2mg / 5mg / 10mg

According to NHS (2022), when treating anxiety with diazepam, the most common starting dose is 2mg three times a day. If this does not have the desired effect, your doctor, local pharmacist or healthcare provider may increase the dose of treatment to 5mg or 10mg three times daily. High doses use of Diazepam is rare (Cloos et al, 2021). Now you can buy diazepam in the UK by placing your order on our website, provided your doctor has recommended it as an appropriate treatment.

Diazepam is also prescribed on a short term basis to help if feelings of anxiety are stopping you from falling asleep; short term use is due to potential of substance abuse and addiction to the medication (Juergens, S., 1991; Gordon, E., 1967; Zhang et al, 2022). In this case, the dose might vary from 5mg to 15mg taken before bed. If you are concerned about any potential withdrawal symptom it is important to consult your doctor or healthcare provider for medical advice prior to starting treatment with diazepam (Valium).

If your doctor wants to treat muscle spasms with diazepam, the dose can range from 2mg to 15mg. Your doctor will tell you how to divide this dose across each day. Higher doses of 20mg daily are sometimes prescribed to treat a severe muscle spasm (London Bridge Sports Medicine, 2022). Can I buy diazepam in the UK? Yes, you can get diazepam online from EU Meds.

Like all medications, diazepam can have some side effects (NHS, 2022). The most common side effects include:

  • Feeling drowsy or sleepy 
  • Feeling confused
  • Reduced co-ordination
  • Problems controlling the movement of your arms and legs
  • Breathing problems
  • Tremors (shaking that most commonly occurs in the hands).
  • Withdrawal symptoms
  • Addiction

If these occur, keep taking the medication but speak to your doctor for medical advice as soon as possible.

Rarely, more serious side effects can occur when taking diazepam. These include:

  • Changes to your breathing, including slow or shallow breaths
  • Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (this could be a sign of a problem with your liver)
  • Memory problems
  • Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there)
  • Delusions (thinking things that are not true)
  • Falling over.

Very rarely, some people experience mood changes including agitation, restlessness, feeling irritable, aggressive behaviour, talking excessively or feeling over-excited. If this occurs, you should speak to your doctor straight away.

If you have a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) including breathlessness, lip or tongue swelling, call 999 immediately.

Diazepam may not suit everyone (Drugs.com, 2023). You should tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:

  • Liver or kidney disease
  • Sleep apnoea
  • Depression 
  • Thoughts of harming yourself or suicidal thoughts
  • Personality disorder
  • Alcohol or drug dependence 
  • Problems with blood flow including arteriosclerosis
  • Myasthenia gravis.

You should also inform your doctor if you will be having a general anaesthetic soon for an operation or procedure, as some properties and effects of diazepam can be masked by general anaesthesia (Jakobsen et al, 1985).

Diazepam may be suitable for diabetes patients, if a doctor, pharmacist or healthcare provider has reviewed your personal situation.

Sometimes diazepam is not suitable for people aged over 65, and a low dose may need to be tried at first.

Some medications can interact with diazepam. You should let your doctor know if you take any of the following:

  • Medications for epilepsy
  • Medications for mental health problems, depression, anxiety
  • Sedative antihistamines
  • Strong pain killers (such as opioid drug prescription medications)
  • Antibiotics or antifungal medications
  • Medicines for heartburn or acid reflux
  • Asthma medications
  • Muscle relaxants.

Some painkillers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol may be taken with Diazepam but only if advised by your doctor, pharmacist or healthcare provider. Stronger painkiller prescription medications (opioids) such as codeine, co-codamol and dihydrocodeine should strictly be avoided when taking Diazepam (Marshall, H., 2020).

Can Diazepam interact with herbal supplements?

Yes. You should also tell your prescriber about any herbal supplements or remedies you take to avoid the risk of any drug interaction between them (NHS, 2022). This will allow your prescriber to check that diazepam will not interact with them. If you are looking for no prescription diazepam because you do not currently have a prescription, start a free online consultation to get one now.

Purchasing Diazepam online or anywhere else should be done with care and caution, due to the widely reported potential risks associated with counterfeit Diazepam tablets that may contain fentanyl (BBC News, 2019; BBC News, 2023).

It is important that your doctor checks that diazepam is suitable for you. Your doctor should complete a thorough health questionnaire and review your current medications before prescribing this medication. We have diazepam tablets for sale here at EU Meds if it has been approved for you by your healthcare provider.

According to NHS (2022), if you exceed the prescribed dosage of diazepam, you might experience the following symptoms:

  • Difficulty with coordination or speech
  • Drowsiness
  • A sluggish or irregular heartbeat
  • Involuntary eye movements
  • Muscle weakness
  • An increased sense of restlessness

It's important to note that the quantity of diazepam that can result in an overdose can differ from one individual to another.

Because diazepam can make you sleep heavily, it is advisable not to consume alcohol when taking diazepam. The combined effect of alcohol and diazepam may lead to changes in your breathing and make it more difficult to wake up.

Occasionally, taking diazepam when pregnant or breastfeeding may be recommended by a doctor to make sure you remain well (NHS, 2022). Your doctor, local pharmacy or healthcare provider will be able to give you suitable medical advice on this treatment during pregnancy if they deem it to be appropriate for your individual needs.

According to the British Journal of Anaesthesia, Diazepam and lorazepam have different potencies and different times for their course of their action - with the main difference between the two Benzodiazepines drugs being that diazepam stays in the body longer than lorazepam.

Drugs.com provide a helpful comparison of Diazepam (Valium) vs Lorazepam (Ativan).

Diazepam and Clonazepam have different potencies and different times for their course of their action.

Drugs.com provide a helpful comparison of Diazepam (Valium) vs Clonazepam (KlonoPIN).

According to Dhaliwal et al (2022), if it is taken:

  • As an intravenous injection - Diazepam typically begins to take effect within 1 to 3 minutes.
  • Orally - Diazepam can take between 15 to 60 minutes.

Diazepam can last for more than 12 hours (Dhaliwal et al (2022)); and can be detectable in the body for much longer as Diazepam has a half life of 48 hours (Verywell Mind, 2023).

Depending on the health condition that you are experiencing, Diazepam can make your muscles feel relaxed, relieve your anxiety, cause you to feel drowsy or stop a seizure (NHS, 2022)

Yes. According to NHS (2022), you can become addicted to diazepam if you're taking higher doses for an extended period of time and/or have experienced problems with drugs and alcohol. The risk of diazepam addiction can be reduced by taking the lowest dose that treats your symptoms and by only taking it as short term treatment (from 2-4 weeks). Remember to always speak to your doctor or healthcare provider before starting treatment with diazepam to ensure that you are recieving the safest and most appropriate dosage of the medication to suit your individual needs.

Yes. In the UK Diazepam is a controlled drug (GOV.UK, 2022; Release.org.uk, 2023); and should only be used short term for a crisis situation in relation to generalised anxiety (NHS, 2023).

Yes. Essentially diazepam and Valium are the same thing (NHS Inform, 2023). Diazepam is the active ingredient in Valium. Valium is a brand name for the prescription medication diazepam (Young Minds, 2023).

Medical Reviewer

Medical Reviewer

Irfan Siddique

Deputy Medical Superintendent (DMS) • MBBS

Dr. Irfan Siddique is a Medical Doctor with a license to practice in the United Kingdom, awarded by the General Medical Council. He graduated in 2017 from the University of Health Sciences, Lahore.

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