Valium Side Effects

Generic name: diazepam

Note: This page contains side effects data for the generic drug diazepam. It is possible that some of the dosage forms included below may not apply to the brand name Valium.

In Summary

Common side effects of Valium include: hypotonia. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.

For the Consumer

Applies to diazepam: oral capsule extended release, oral solution, oral tablet

As well as its needed effects, diazepam (the active ingredient contained in Valium) may cause unwanted side effects that require medical attention.

Major Side Effects

If any of the following side effects occur while taking diazepam, check with your doctor immediately:

More common:

• Shakiness and unsteady walk
• unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination

Incidence not known:

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• agitation
• black, tarry stools
• blistering, flaking, or peeling of the skin
• blurred vision
• changes in patterns and rhythms of speech
• chills
• confusion
• cough
• dark urine
• decrease in the frequency of urination
• decrease in urine volume
• difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
• discouragement
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• false beliefs that cannot be changed by facts
• fast heartbeat
• fast or irregular breathing
• feeling sad or empty
• feeling that others are watching you or controlling your behavior
• feeling that others can hear your thoughts
• feeling, seeing, or hearing things that are not there
• fever
• headache
• hyperexcitability
• increased muscle spasms or tone
• irritability
• itching or rash
• lack of memory of what takes place after a certain event
• loss of appetite
• loss of bladder control
• loss of interest or pleasure
• lower back or side pain
• nausea
• nightmares
• outbursts of anger
• painful or difficult urination
• pale skin
• restlessness
• seizures
• slurred speech
• sore throat
• sweating
• trouble concentrating
• trouble sleeping
• trouble speaking
• ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
• unpleasant breath odor
• unusual behavior
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual feeling of excitement
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting of blood
• yellow eyes or skin

If any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking diazepam, get emergency help immediately:

Symptoms of overdose:

• Change in consciousness
• difficult or troubled breathing
• irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
• lack of coordination
• loss of consciousness
• loss of strength or energy
• muscle pain or weakness
• pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• sleepiness
• unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness

Minor Side Effects

Some diazepam side effects may not need any medical attention. As your body gets used to the medicine these side effects may disappear. Your health care professional may be able to help you prevent or reduce these side effects, but do check with them if any of the following side effects continue, or if you are concerned about them:

Incidence not known:

• Constipation
• decreased interest in sexual intercourse
• diarrhea
• difficulty with swallowing
• double vision
• dry mouth
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• inability to have or keep an erection
• increase in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
• increased interest in sexual intercourse
• increased watering of the mouth
• indigestion
• loss of sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
• passing of gas
• seeing double
• sensation of spinning

Applies to diazepam: injection emulsion, injection solution

As well as its needed effects, diazepam (the active ingredient contained in Valium) may cause unwanted side effects that require medical attention.

Major Side Effects

If any of the following side effects occur while taking diazepam, check with your doctor immediately:

More common:

• Shakiness and unsteady walk
• tenderness, pain, swelling, warmth, skin discoloration, and prominent superficial veins over affected area
• unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination

Less common:

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• black, tarry stools
• blurred vision
• changes in patterns and rhythms of speech
• chest pain or discomfort
• chills
• cold, clammy, or pale skin
• confusion
• cough
• dark urine
• decrease in frequency of urination
• decrease in urine volume
• difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly
• fear or nervousness
• fever
• hallucinations
• headache
• irregular heartbeats
• itching
• loss of appetite
• loss of bladder control
• lower back or side pain
• muscle spasm
• nausea
• nightmares
• outbursts of anger
• painful or difficult urination
• pale skin
• rash
• shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
• shortness of breath
• sleeplessness
• slow heart rate
• slow or irregular heartbeat
• slurred speech
• sore throat
• sweating
• trembling or shaking of hands or feet
• trouble in speaking
• trouble sleeping
• ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth
• unable to sleep
• unpleasant breath odor
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual excitement, nervousness, restlessness, or irritability
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting of blood
• yellow eyes or skin

Incidence not known:

• Deep or fast breathing with dizziness
• difficult or troubled breathing
• irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
• numbness of the feet, hands, and around the mouth
• pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• tightness in the chest
• wheezing

If any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking diazepam, get emergency help immediately:

Symptoms of overdose:

• Change in consciousness
• lack of coordination
• loss of consciousness
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

Minor Side Effects

Some diazepam side effects may not need any medical attention. As your body gets used to the medicine these side effects may disappear. Your health care professional may be able to help you prevent or reduce these side effects, but do check with them if any of the following side effects continue, or if you are concerned about them:

Less common:

• Constipation
• decreased interest in sexual intercourse
• difficulty in swallowing
• discouragement
• double vision
• dry mouth
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• feeling sad or empty
• hiccups
• hives or welts
• inability to have or keep an erection
• increase in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
• increased interest in sexual intercourse
• increased watering of the mouth
• itching
• lack of appetite
• loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
• loss of interest or pleasure
• redness of skin
• seeing double
• sensation of spinning
• trouble concentrating
• uncontrolled eye movements

Applies to diazepam: rectal gel/jelly, rectal kit

As well as its needed effects, diazepam (the active ingredient contained in Valium) may cause unwanted side effects that require medical attention.

Major Side Effects

If any of the following side effects occur while taking diazepam, check with your doctor immediately:

Less common:

• Anxiety
• blurred vision
• changes in patterns and rhythms of speech
• confusion
• cough
• crying
• delusions
• dementia
• depersonalization
• difficulty breathing
• difficulty in speaking
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly
• dry mouth
• dysphoria
• euphoria
• false or unusual sense of well-being
• feeling of warmth or heat
• flushing or redness of skin, especially on face and neck
• headache
• hyperventilation
• irregular heartbeats
• irritability
• lack of coordination
• mental depression
• mood or mental changes
• nervousness
• noisy breathing
• paranoia
• quick to react or overreact emotionally
• rapidly changing moods
• restlessness
• seizures
• shakiness and unsteady walk
• shortness of breath
• slurred speech
• sweating
• tightness in chest
• trouble in speaking
• trouble sleeping
• unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• wheezing

Rare

• Bladder pain
• bloody or cloudy urine
• difficult, burning, or painful urination
• fever or chills
• frequent urge to urinate
• increase in body movements
• lower back or side pain
• painful or difficult urination
• pale skin
• swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in neck, armpit, or groin
• unusual bleeding or bruising

Minor Side Effects

Some diazepam side effects may not need any medical attention. As your body gets used to the medicine these side effects may disappear. Your health care professional may be able to help you prevent or reduce these side effects, but do check with them if any of the following side effects continue, or if you are concerned about them:

More common:

• Sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

Less common:

• Diarrhea
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• hiccups
• lack or loss of strength
• rash
• runny nose
• sensation of spinning
• sneezing
• stuffy nose

Rare

• Bigger, dilated, or enlarged pupils (black part of eye)
• increased sensitivity of eyes to light
• itching skin
• loss of appetite
• vomiting
• weight loss

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to diazepam: injectable solution, intravenous suspension, oral capsule extended release, oral concentrate, oral solution, oral tablet, rectal kit

General

The most commonly reported side effects include sedation/drowsiness, ataxia, and muscle weakness.^[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Drowsiness/somnolence (up to 23%)
Common (1% to 10%): Anterograde amnesia/amnesia, ataxia, nervousness, unsteadiness, incoordination, impaired motor ability, hyperkinesia, tremor, epileptic attacks, sedation, headache, dizziness, slurred speech, hangover effect, decreased/reduced alertness, disrupted sensory perception
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Concentration difficulties, balance disorder
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Memory loss, dysarthria, syncope, unconsciousness, nystagmus, convulsions/grand mal convulsions, vertigo, lightheadedness, dystonia/dystonic effects, extrapyramidal effects, abnormal taste, hypersensitivity to physical, visual, and auditory stimuli
Frequency not reported: Oversedation, dementia, lethargy, minor EEG pattern changes
Postmarketing reports: Speech disorder^[Ref]

Drowsiness, headache, dizziness, ataxia, and reduced alertness occurred at the start of treatment, but usually disappeared with continued use.

Anterograde amnesia is a dose-related side effect that may occur at therapeutic doses.

Tremor, disrupted sensory perception, and epileptic attacks occurred in patients with withdrawal symptoms.

Drowsiness, sedation, unsteadiness, and ataxia are dose-related and may persist into the following day, even with single doses.

Prolonged use of treatment in elderly patients may result in dementia.^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Confusion, withdrawal symptoms, euphoria, increased anxiety/anxiety, panic, irritability, delirium, aggressiveness/aggression, numbed emotions, instability, restlessness, agitation, inappropriate behavior, delusions, rage, hallucinations, nightmares, confusional or paranoid psychosis/psychoses
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Excitation, insomnia, hostility, disinhibition, emotional poverty, other adverse behavioral effects, delirium tremens-like state, broken sleep with vivid dreams, increased REM sleep, increased or decreased libido
Frequency not reported: Drug abuse, unmasking of depression, inhibited female orgasm, acute hyperexcited states, stimulation, hypoactivity, physical and psychic dependence
Postmarketing reports: Emotional lability, abnormal thinking^[Ref]

Confusion and numbed emotions occurred at the start of treatment, but usually disappeared with continued use. Confusion has occurred in elderly patients who received high doses.

Inappropriate behavior may occur with anterograde amnesia.

Psychic and physical dependence occurred with chronic use at therapeutic doses; withdrawal symptoms may occur in patients with dependence when treatment is discontinued.

Anxiety, panic, irritability, aggressiveness/aggression, paranoid psychosis, and delirium occurred in patients with withdrawal symptoms.

Restlessness, agitation, irritability, aggressiveness/aggression, rage, delusions, nightmares, psychoses, hallucinations, and inappropriate behavior occurred in patients with paradoxical reactions, especially in elderly and pediatric patients.

Increased REM sleep and broken sleep with vivid dreams may persist for weeks after treatment is discontinued.^[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue, general malaise, paradoxical reactions, asthenia
Frequency not reported: Falls, rebound effect, tinnitus, pain, infection^[Ref]

Fatigue occurred at the start of treatment, but usually disappeared with continued use.

Elderly patients have an increased risk of falling.

Patients with physical/psychic dependence may experience rebound effects during discontinuation.

General malaise occurred in patients with withdrawal symptoms.

Pain occurred with injection formulations.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Increased salivation has been reported, especially in pediatric patients.

Gastrointestinal disorders occurred in patients with withdrawal symptoms.^[Ref]

Common (1% to 10%): Gastrointestinal disorders/disturbances, abdominal pain, diarrhea
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Nausea, vomiting, constipation, dry mouth, increased salivary secretion/hypersalivation
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Obstipation, epigastric pain, abdominal cramps^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Sweating occurred in patients with withdrawal symptoms.^[Ref]

Common (1% to 10%): Sweating, rash
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Itching/pruritus, erythema
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Urticaria
Frequency not reported: Steven-Johnson syndrome, skin reactions^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Palpitations occurred in patients with withdrawal symptoms.

Thrombophlebitis and venous thrombosis have occurred with injection formulations.

Ischemia occurred with inadvertent intra-arterial administration.^[Ref]

Common (1% to 10%): Palpitations, vasodilation
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypotension
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Bradycardia, mild systolic hypertension, tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension, chest pain, heart failure and cardiac arrest
Frequency not reported: Thrombophlebitis, venous thrombosis, ischemia, cardiovascular collapse^[Ref]

Respiratory

Increased bronchial secretions were reported, especially in pediatric patients.

Respiratory depression and apnea occurred, especially with high doses.

Coughing, respiratory depression, dyspnea, hyperventilation, laryngospasm, and throat/chest pain have been reported in patients undergoing peroral endoscopic procedures.^[Ref]

Common (1% to 10%): Asthma, rhinitis
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Respiratory depression
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Respiratory arrest, increased bronchial secretion, laryngeal spasm/laryngospasm, apnea
Frequency not reported: Hypoventilation, increased cough, hiccups, dyspnea, hyperventilation, throat and chest pain^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Muscle spasms/increased muscle spasticity, muscle weakness
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Myasthenia
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Muscle twitching
Frequency not reported: Fractures, tissue necrosis, muscle aches and cramps^[Ref]

Muscle weakness occurred at the start of treatment, but usually disappeared with continued use.

Elderly patients and/or those taking sedatives/alcohol concomitantly have an increased risk of fractures associated with falls.

Muscle spasms occurred in patients with withdrawal symptoms.

Tissue necrosis occurred with inadvertent intra-arterial administration.^[Ref]

Ocular

Common (1% to 10%): Double vision/diplopia
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Blurred vision, other visual disturbances/reversible disorders of vision
Frequency not reported: Mydriasis^[Ref]

Double vision occurred at the start of treatment, but usually disappeared with continued use.^[Ref]

Metabolic

Common (1% to 10%): Appetite loss
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Increased appetite
Frequency not reported: Anorexia^[Ref]

Appetite loss occurred in patients with withdrawal symptoms.^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urinary retention, incontinence
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Impotence, menstrual changes
Frequency not reported: Galactorrhea, urinary tract infection^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Allergic skin reactions
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Anaphylaxis
Frequency not reported: Angioedema^[Ref]

Hepatic

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Jaundice, cholestatic/hepatocellular jaundice, cholestasis, changes of hepatic parameters/increased ALT, AST, and alkaline phosphatase^[Ref]

Hematologic

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Blood dyscrasias, thrombocytopenia
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Leukopenia, neutropenia
Frequency not reported: Agranulocytosis, lymphadenopathy, anemia^[Ref]

Endocrine

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Gynecomastia
Frequency not reported: Increased prolactin and testosterone levels^[Ref]

It is possible that some side effects of Valium may not have been reported. These can be reported to the FDA here. Always consult a healthcare professional for medical advice.