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Valium side effects and special
warnings
Valium side
effects you may expect with this anti anxiety medicine:
 Valium side
effects cannot usually be anticipated, but if they develop or increase
in intensity you should notify your physician immediately. Only your
doctor can determine if the Valium side effects may make it
prohibitive to continue taking this anti anxiety medicine.
The most common
Valium side effects may include:
Drowsiness,
fatigue, light-headedness, loss of muscle coordination
The less common or
rare Valium side effects of this anti anxiety medicine may include:
Anxiety, blurred
vision, changes in salivation, changes in sex drive, confusion,
constipation, depression, difficulty urinating, dizziness, double
vision, hallucinations, headache, inability to hold urine, low blood
pressure, nausea, over-stimulation, rage, seizures (mild changes in
brain wave patterns), skin rash, sleep disturbances, slow heartbeat,
slurred speech and other speech problems, stimulation, tremors,
vertigo, yellowing of eyes and skin
Valium side
effects due to rapid decrease in dose or abrupt withdrawal from
Valium:
Abdominal muscle
cramps, convulsions, sweating, tremors, vomiting
What are some of
the special concerns about this anti anxiety medicine?
Valium is known to
cause drowsiness or inability to pay full attention to activities
which require concentration. You should not drive or operate
dangerous machinery until you're sure of how you respond to this anti
anxiety medicine. Also, you should take special precautions if you
have liver or kidney problems.
What are some of
possible food and drug interactions while taking this anti anxiety
medicine?
Valium has a
slowing effect on the central nervous system and also may intensify
the effects of alcohol. Obviously, you should not drink when taking
this anti anxiety medicine. If Valium is taken with other
medications, the effects of these medicines may increase, decrease or
be altered in some way. You should always check with your physician
prior to taking Valium with any of the following medicines:
-
Antiseizure
drugs such as Dilantin
-
Antidepressant
drugs such as Elavil and Prozac
-
Barbiturates
such as Phenobarbital
-
Cimetidine
(Tagamet)
-
Digoxin
(Lanoxin)
-
Disulfiram
(Antabuse)
-
Fluoxetine
(Prozac)
-
Isoniazid
(Rifamate)
-
Levodopa
(Larodopa, Sinemet)
-
Major
tranquilizers such as Mellaril and Thorazine
-
MAO Inhibitors
(antidepressant drugs such as Nardil)
-
Narcotics such
as Percocet
-
Omeprazole
(Prilosec)
-
Oral
contraceptives
-
Propoxyphene
(Darvon)
-
Ranitidine
(Zantac)
-
Rifampin
(Rifadin)
Should you take this anti anxiety medicine if
you're pregnant or breast-feeding?
You should not
take Valium if you're pregnant or are planning on becoming pregnant in
the near future, as there may be an increased risk in birth defects.
If your physician determines that it is absolutely necessary to
continue taking this medicine you should probably discontinue
breast-feeding until you're treatment has been finished.
Information provided by
The PDR Pocket Guide to Prescription Drugs - Sixth Edition
 Additional information By Paul Susic MA Licensed
Psychologist Ph.D Candidate
Additional Valium
Pictures and Dosages
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