Check Out the Right Valium Dosage for You
Valium, also classified under benzodiazephines, is a drug most prescribed to treat anxiety disorders, problems with muscle relaxation, and insomnia. It is also used to treat seizures in epileptic patient and night terrors or sleepwalking in children.
Most individuals can take Valium. Even those with serious medical problems can take it without any side-effects on the heart, lungs and kidney. To those who have history of alcohol abuse, pregnant or nursing, they must stay away from this drug.
For short-term relief of anxiety or treatment for anxiety disorders: Take 2mg – 10mg, four times daily, depending on the severity of symptoms.
For symptomatic relief in acute alcohol withdrawal: Take 10mg, three to four times during the first 24 hours; reducing to 5mg, three to four times daily as needed.
For relief of muscle spasms: Take 2mg – 10mg, three or four times daily.
For convulsive disorders: Take 2mg – 10mg, two to four times daily.
For Geriatric Patients, or in the presence of debilitating disease: Take 2mg – 2.5mg, one or two times daily; increase gradually as needed. Physicians usually limit dosage to the smallest effective amount possible as older people are prone to become over sedated, causing difficulties in coordination which puts them at higher risk of falling.
For Pediatric patients: Give 1 – 2.5mg, once or twice a day. It must not be administered to children less than six months of age.
Valium is a long-acting drug. A 5mg valium dosage may last for 24 hours. Most of the patients divide the dosage a half in the morning and the other half at night. It also works quickly with relief settling down in 30 minutes to an hour after taking the first pill.
If Valium is taken regularly by those with anxiety, substantial improvement can be seen within one week. If a correct dose helped control the patients’ anxiety, the patient can remain on that dose indefinitely without experiencing new anxiety symptoms.
Other than the health condition, doctors also consider the patients’ age, other medical condition and other drugs that are currently being taken before prescribing a dosage.
