right away.
What should I avoid while taking VALIUM?
VALIUM can cause you to be drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate heavy machinery until you know how
VALIUM affects you.
You should not drink alcohol while taking VALIUM. Drinking alcohol can increase your chances of having
serious side effects.
What are the possible side effects of VALIUM?
VALIUM may cause serious side effects, including:
See “What is the most important information I should know about VALIUM?”
Seizures. Taking VALIUM with other medicines used to treat epilepsy can cause an increase in the
number or severity of grand mal seizures.
Withdrawal symptoms. You may have withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking VALIUM suddenly.
Withdrawal symptoms can be serious and include seizures. Mild withdrawal symptoms include a
depressed mood and trouble sleeping. Talk to your healthcare provider about slowly stopping VALIUM to
avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Like other antiepileptic drugs, VALIUM may cause suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small
number of people, about 1 in 500.
Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these symptoms, especially if they are new,
worse, or worry you:
o thoughts about suicide or
dying
o new or worse anxiety
o trouble sleeping (insomnia)
o acting on dangerous impulses
o attempts to commit suicide
o feeling agitated or restless
o new or worse irritability
o an extreme increase in
activity and talking (mania)
o new or worse depression
o panic attacks
o acting aggressive, being
angry, or violent
o other unusual changes in
behavior or mood
How can I watch for early symptoms of suicidal thoughts and actions?
Pay attention to any changes, especially sudden changes, in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings.
Keep all follow-up visits with your healthcare provider as scheduled.
Call your healthcare provider between visits as needed, especially if you are worried about symptoms.
Suicidal thoughts or actions can be caused by things other than medicines. If you have suicidal thoughts or
actions, your healthcare provider may check for other causes.
Abuse and dependence. Taking VALIUM can cause physical and psychological dependence. Physical
and psychological dependence is not the same as drug addiction. Your healthcare provider can tell you
more about the differences between physical and psychological dependence and drug addiction.
The most common side effects of VALIUM include:
drowsiness
muscle weakness
fatigue
loss of control of body movements (ataxia)
These are not all the possible side effects of VALIUM. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Genentech at 1-
888-835-2555.
How should I store VALIUM?
Store VALIUM in a tightly closed container between 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C) and out of the light.
Keep VALIUM and all medicines out of the reach of children.
General information about the safe and effective use of VALIUM.
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Medication Guide. Do not use
VALIUM for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give VALIUM to other people, even if they have
the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for
information about VALIUM that is written for health professionals.
What are the ingredients in VALIUM?
Active ingredient: diazepam
Inactive ingredients: anhydrous lactose, corn starch, pregelatinized starch and calcium stearate
Distributed by: Genentech USA, Inc. South San Francisco, CA 94080
VALIUM® is a registered trademark of Hoffmann-La Roche, Inc.
For more information, go to www.gene.com/patients/medicines/Valium or call 1-877-436-3683.
This Medication Guide has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Revised: Date
Reference ID: 4029651