Overdose symptoms include: Confusion,loss of consciousness,or sleepiness. Take Valium (diazepam) exactly as directed by your doctor. Take each oral dose with a full glass of water. To ensure the correct dose, measure the liquid forms of Valium (diazepam) with a dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one. Do not take diazepam more often or in larger doses than is prescribed. Valium (diazepam) is habit forming. You can become physically and psychologically dependent on the medication. Withdrawal effects may occur if diazepam is stopped suddenly after several weeks of continuous use. Your doctor may recommend a gradual reduction in dose. Take a missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication; could be dangerous. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.

What other drugs will affect diazepam?

Before taking diazepam, tell your doctor if you take any other seizure medications, or if you are using any of the following drugs:

cimetidine (Tagamet);

a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);

an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate);

medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol), mesoridazine (Serentil), pimozide (Orap), or thioridazine (Mellaril);

narcotic medications such as butorphanol (Stadol), codeine, hydrocodone (Loratab, Vicodin), levorphanol (Levo-Dromoran), meperidine (Demerol), methadone (Dolophine, Methadose), morphine (Kadian, MS Contin, Oramorph), naloxone (Narcan), oxycodone (OxyContin), propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet);

antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), amoxapine (Ascendin), citalopram (Celexa), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Sinequan), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), paroxetine (Paxil), protriptyline (Vivactil), sertraline (Zoloft), or trimipramine (Surmontil).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use diazepam, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment. There may be other drugs not listed that can affect diazepam. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.