Diazepam (Valium) tablets pictured by the U.S. Department of Justice.
United States Department of Justice · Public domain_DOJ.jpg){kind=link}
About Diazepam
Diazepam is a benzodiazepine known as Valium; product-specific preparations also exist for seizure rescue.
Also searched as: Valium · Diastat
Available strengths
Strength is the amount in a tablet, capsule, liquid or patch. Different formulations are listed separately.
| Product & formulation | Strengths |
|---|---|
| Valium / diazepam Oral tablet | 2 mg · 5 mg · 10 mg Nasal and rectal rescue products have separate dosage forms. Product label · Checked 2026-10-31 |
Dosages in the product label
Valium oral tablets — Anxiety disorders
Population: Adults younger than 65
Labeled oral dose: 2–10 mg, 2–4 times daily.
This is indication- and patient-dependent; lower doses apply to older/debilitated patients and hepatic impairment. It is not seizure-rescue device dosing.
Prescribing information · Checked 2026-10-31
Buy Diazepam: pricing & legal access
Diazepam online: availability & product information
Saved U.S. price estimates from Drugs.com for the exact products and quantities below. These are dated estimates, not live pharmacy quotes or insurance copays. Discounts and local availability vary.
| Product / strength | Quantity | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Generic diazepam 2 mg Oral tablet | 30 tablets | $4.95 Drugs.com published cash estimate Drugs.com price guide Checked 2026-10-31 |
| Generic diazepam 5 mg Oral tablet | 30 tablets | $5.15 Drugs.com published cash estimate Drugs.com price guide Checked 2026-10-31 |
Prices refer to medication only; consultation, administration and monitoring costs may be additional. Prescription products require a valid prescription and a licensed pharmacy. Check the exact formulation before comparing offers.
Diazepam information
Uses and formulations
Used in selected anxiety, muscle-spasm, seizure and alcohol-withdrawal treatment settings. Oral, rectal and nasal products are not interchangeable.
Sources: MedlinePlus — Diazepam
Side effects and serious risks
Sleepiness, weakness and coordination problems can occur. Dependence and severe withdrawal are possible.
Sources: MedlinePlus — Diazepam
Dosage and directions
Follow the exact prescription. Rescue products require an individual emergency plan rather than routine oral-tablet instructions.
Sources: MedlinePlus — Diazepam
Interactions and precautions
Alcohol, opioids and other sedatives increase breathing risk. Discuss liver disease and persistent next-day impairment with the care team.
Sources: MedlinePlus — Diazepam
U.S. federal classification
Listed federally in Schedule IV. Classification does not by itself establish that a particular product is approved or that an online transaction is lawful. State requirements and product-specific rules also apply.
Sources: DEA — Controlled substances alphabetical list (October 2026)
Pharmacology and mechanism
Diazepam enhances GABA-A-mediated inhibition. It also forms active metabolites, which can contribute to persistent effects and accumulation during repeated use.
Formulations and product identification
The active ingredient alone does not describe a finished product. These distinctions matter when reading a label or comparing prescriptions.
| Product or formulation | Important distinction |
|---|---|
| Oral diazepam | Used for particular anxiety, spasm and other indications. |
| Seizure-rescue preparations | Nasal or rectal products use an individual emergency plan. |
Monitoring and treatment follow-up
Older adults and people with liver impairment may be particularly sensitive to prolonged sedation. Monitor coordination and daytime impairment as well as the symptom being treated.
Dependence and stopping treatment
Dependence and withdrawal can occur with ongoing treatment. A long duration of action does not mean sudden discontinuation is harmless; symptoms can appear on a different time course from those of shorter-acting benzodiazepines.
How it differs from related medicines
Diazepam tablets and rescue devices share an ingredient but not the same administration instructions. A rescue plan specifies the product, circumstances for use and when additional medical help is needed.
Sources and editorial notes
Prepared by DrugRX using the references linked below. Sources were consulted on 2026-10-31. This page has not been independently reviewed by a clinician. Research findings, medication approval and legal permission are separate questions.
- MedlinePlus — Diazepam
- DEA — Controlled substances alphabetical list (October 2026)
- DailyMed — Valium prescribing information
- Drugs.com — diazepam price guide
Legal information is a dated U.S. reference. Product rules and local laws may change. Where the evidence does not establish a dose, interaction profile or price, the page states that limitation.