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Among all of the benzodiazepine drugs that are prescribed in order to help people to relax and get to sleep, valium is the most commonly recognized drug. Though there are many types of sedatives in this class of anti-anxiety drug, it is this specific medication that is best known.
Why is Valium Taken?
These drugs are generally taken over the short-term to help people to fall asleep when they are struggling with anxiety issues that are keeping them awake. These medications may be highly effective, but it is very important that they be taken properly in order to ensure their safe use.
One of the advantages of drugs such as valium is that while it acts as a milder form of some of the much stronger on the market, it actually remains within the body for a much shorter period of time than those more powerful drugs. While they remain effective and do still pose the risk of withdrawal symptoms if used for too long, they are much less addictive than some of the alternatives.
What Exactly is Valium?
Valium is officially known as a sedative-hypnotic drug and works by affecting the Central Nervous System. It depresses the CNS in order to slow the functioning of the brain. The depressant neurotransmitter affected by this drug is gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) which functions by lowering the amount of activity which occurs within the grain. The drug boosts the amount of GABA activity, which then leads the individual to feel more calm or drowsy, which can be very effective for helping that person to fall asleep.
Valium is available only by prescription and can be prescribed at many different doses. In fact, at its highest doses, it can be used as a general anesthetic. This shows that the drug is a powerful one and one that should be taken very seriously.
What to Expect While Using This Drug
For the first few days of taking this medication, it is not uncommon to feel uncoordinated, sleepy, klutzy, and downright slow. However, these effects should slowly disappear over time and use of the drug.
That said, this drug was not meant to be used over the long-term, as tolerances can form and larger doses will be required in order to ensure the same effects as were previously seen at a lower dose. This can also lead to physical dependencies and withdrawal when the use of the drug is ceased.
The Importance of Taking This Medication Properly
For this reason, it is important to take the drug only as the doctor has directed, never to take more of the drug than recommended, and not take this medicine for any longer than prescribed.
To know exactly how to take your medication properly, check the prescription label. The directions meant specifically for you will be printed there. That said, if you still have any questions about what they mean, it’s important to speak with your pharmacist or doctor. Clear up any concerns or confusions before starting to take valium.
Avoiding Unnecessary Risk
Once you know exactly how to take your pills, be sure to follow those directions to the letter. If you feel an alteration should be made, discuss it with your doctor before making the change. The reason is that the directions may have been selected for you in the way they have because they will best benefit you without placing you at unnecessary risk.
Taking your pills properly doesn’t just mean taking the right number of pills at the right time. It also means that you shouldn’t take them for a longer period of time than recommended. If you find your medication isn’t working as well as it used to, do not increase your dose without first discussing this with your doctor.
Addiction is a serious risk with this medication and that should not be taken lightly. Be honest with your doctor when discussing your use of this pill. It is vital to your health. This medication should not be prescribed to you if you already have a history of alcohol or drug abuse. Withdrawal symptoms associated with using valium can be very strong and should be avoided. If you are already experiencing them, talk to your doctor so you can be assigned a gradual cessation program to wean yourself off the medication.
My sister has been on Valium foir probably 3-4 years. She has reached a point where she takes more than her recommend dose. She is taking it three times a day, 20mg. She takes some other drug in the middle of the day and she takes some kind of sleepinmg pill.
She recently went to the ER for what she says was vertigo. Could it be possible this is coming from over use of her drugs.
We see the same psychiatrist. I am more than sure she would not tell the truth at the Er about her amount of her dosing.
I am looking for information in case I can inform him.
Thank you for the time.
Karen
There is great risk in misusing prescription medications by taking more than what is prescribed. The combination of drugs your sister is taking can be causing any number of health complications and the vertigo may be a noticeable side effect. I would always err on the side of caution. If you know someone you love is abusing their medications and you have the opportunity to discuss this with their doctor, it might just save their lives.