Note: This document contains side effect information about diazepam. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Valtoco.
Applies to diazepam: oral solution, oral tablet. Other dosage forms:
- injection solution
- nasal spray
- rectal gel/jelly
Warning
Oral route (Tablet; Solution)
Risks From Concomitant use with Opioids; Abuse, Misuse, and Addiction; and Dependence and Withdrawal Reactions Concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs for patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required. Follow patients for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression.The use of benzodiazepines, including diazepam, exposes users to risks of abuse, misuse, and addiction, which can lead to overdose or death. Abuse and misuse of benzodiazepines commonly involve concomitant use of other medications, alcohol, and/or illicit substances, which is associated with increased frequency of serious adverse outcomes. Before prescribing diazepam and throughout treatment, assess each patient's risk for abuse, misuse, and addiction. The continued use of benzodiazepines, including diazepam, may lead to clinically significant physical dependence. The risks of dependence and withdrawal increase with longer treatment duration and higher daily dose. Abrupt discontinuation or rapid dosage reduction of diazepam may precipitate acute withdrawal reactions, which can be life-threatening. To reduce the risk of withdrawal reactions, use a gradual taper to discontinue diazepam or reduce the dosage.
Serious side effects of Valtoco
Along with its needed effects, diazepam (the active ingredient contained in Valtoco) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking diazepam:
More common
- Shakiness and unsteady walk
- unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
Incidence not known
- 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
- stomach pain
- 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
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking diazepam:
Symptoms of overdose
- Agitation
- change in consciousness
- changes in patterns and rhythms of speech
- confusion
- difficult or trouble breathing
- excitement
- irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
- irritability
- lack of coordination
- loss of consciousness
- loss of strength or energy
- muscle pain or weakness
- pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
- restlessness
- shakiness and unsteady walk
- sleepiness
- unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
- unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness
Other side effects of Valtoco
Some side effects of diazepam may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions 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
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to diazepam: compounding powder, injectable solution, intravenous suspension, nasal spray, oral capsule extended release, oral concentrate, oral solution, oral tablet, rectal kit.
General
ORAL: The most commonly reported side effects included ataxia, drowsiness, fatigue, and muscle weakness.
PARENTERAL: The most commonly reported side effects included fatigue, drowsiness, ataxia, injection-site venous thrombosis, and injection-site phlebitis.
RECTAL: The most commonly reported side effects included somnolence, headache, and diarrhea.[Ref]
Nervous system
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]
ORAL:
Common (1% to 10%): Ataxia, disrupted sensory perception, drowsiness, epileptic attacks, impaired motor ability, tremor
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Amnesia/anterograde amnesia, balance disorders, concentration difficulties, dizziness, dysarthria, headache, slurred speech, vertigo
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Decreased alertness, memory loss, syncope, unconsciousness
Frequency not reported: Abnormal taste, amnestic effects, hangover effect, hypersensitivity to physical/visual/auditory stimuli, oversedation, perceptual disturbances
PARENTERAL:
Common (1% to 10%): Ataxia, disrupted sensory perception, dizziness, drowsiness, epileptic attacks, impaired motor ability, tremor
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Amnesia/anterograde amnesia, balance disorders, concentration difficulties, headache, increased seizure incidence/severity, lightheadedness, minor electroencephalogram (EEG) changes, slurred speech, vertigo
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Convulsions, decreased alertness, dysarthria, extrapyramidal effects, memory loss, syncope, unconsciousness
Frequency not reported: Abnormal taste, amnestic effects, hangover effect, hypersensitivity to physical/visual/auditory stimuli, oversedation
RECTAL:
Very common (10% or more): Somnolence (up to 23%)
Common (1% to 10%): Ataxia, anterograde amnesia, convulsion, disrupted sensory perception, dizziness, drowsiness, dysarthria, epileptic attacks, hangover effect, headache, impaired motor ability, incoordination, reduced alertness, sedation, slurred speech, speech disorder, tremor, vertigo
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Balance disorders, concentration difficulties
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Dystonic effects, lightheadedness, memory loss, syncope, unconsciousness
Frequency not reported: Grand mal convulsion, hyperkinesia, lethargy, minor changes in EEG patterns, nystagmus[Ref]
Psychiatric
ORAL:
Common (1% to 10%): Aggression/aggressiveness, anxiety, confusion, delirium, irritability, panic, paranoid psychosis, withdrawal symptoms
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Depression, changed/increased/reduced libido
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Agitation, delusion, emotional poverty, excitation, hallucinations, inappropriate behavior, insomnia, nightmares, other adverse behavioral effects, psychiatric reactions, psychoses, rages, restlessness
Frequency not reported: Acute hyperexcittion/acute hyperexcited states, broken sleep with vivid dreams, confusional psychosis, delirium tremens, increased REM sleep, numbed emotions, physical dependence, sleep disturbances, stimulation, unmasked depression
PARENTERAL:
Common (1% to 10%): Aggression/aggressiveness, anxiety, confusion, delirium, dependence, irritability, panic, paranoid psychosis, withdrawal symptoms
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Acute hyperexcittion/acute hyperexcited states, auditory/visual hallucinations, numbed emotion, sleep disturbances, stimulation, suicidal ideation
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Agitation, delusion, depression/mental depression, emotional poverty, excitation, hallucinations, inappropriate behavior, increased/changed/reduced libido, insomnia, nightmares, other adverse behavioral effects, psychiatric reactions, psychoses, rages, restlessness
Frequency not reported: Broken sleep with vivid dreams, confusional psychoses, delirium tremens, disinhibition, dysphoria, euphoria, habituation, hypoactivity, increased REM sleep, inhibition of female orgasm, unmasked depression
RECTAL:
Common (1% to 10%): Aggression/aggressiveness, agitation, anxiety, confusion, delirium, emotional lability, euphoria, irritability, nervousness, numbed emotions, panic, paranoid psychosis, thinking abnormal, uneasiness, unmasked depression, withdrawal symptoms
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Delusion, emotional poverty, excitation, hallucination, inappropriate behavior, increased/reduced libido, insomnia, libido fluctuations, nightmares, other adverse behavioral effects, psychiatric reactions, psychoses, rage, restlessness
Frequency not reported: Abuse, acute hyperexcited states, changes in libido, depression, drug dependence, dysphoria, instability, sleep disturbances, stimulation, uncovering of depression with suicidal tendencies[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]
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]
ORAL:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Respiratory depression
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Increased bronchial secretion, respiratory arrest
Frequency not reported: Apnea
PARENTERAL:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Coughing, dyspnea, hyperventilation, laryngospasm, respiratory depression, throat pain
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Increased bronchial secretion, respiratory arrest
Frequency not reported: Apnea, hiccups
RECTAL:
Common (1% to 10%): Asthma, hiccup, rhinitis
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Respiratory depression
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Apnea, increased bronchial secretion, laryngeal spasm, respiratory arrest
Frequency not reported: Cough increased, hypoventilation[Ref]
Other
ORAL:
Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue, general malaise
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Paradoxical reactions
Frequency not reported: Accidents, falls, rebound effect, tinnitus
PARENTERAL:
Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue, general malaise
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Body pain, hyperpyrexia, hypothermia
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Paradoxical reactions
Frequency not reported: Pain
RECTAL:
Common (1% to 10%): Falls, fatigue, general malaise, pain, paradoxical reactions
Frequency not reported: Asthenia, lack of effect, rebound effect[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]
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]
ORAL:
Common (1% to 10%): Hypotension, palpitations
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Bradycardia, heart failure (including cardiac arrest)
Frequency not reported: Cardiovascular depression, chest pain, mild systolic hypertension, orthostatic hypotension, tachycardia
PARENTERAL:
Common (1% to 10%): Palpitations
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bradycardia, cardiac arrest, chest pain, hypotension, other arrhythmias, tachycardia, ventricular premature contractions
Frequency not reported: Mild systolic hypertension, orthostatic hypotension
RECTAL:
Common (1% to 10%): Hypotension, palpitations, vasodilation
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Bradycardia, chest pain, heart failure (including cardiac arrest)
Frequency not reported: Cardiovascular collapse[Ref]
Local
PARENTERAL:
Common (1% to 10%): Local irritation, pain, phlebitis, swelling, venous thrombosis
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Erythema, local pain, tenderness, vascular changes
Frequency not reported: Ischemia, tissue necrosis[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
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]
ORAL:
Common (1% to 10%): Muscle spasms, muscle weakness
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Myasthenia
Frequency not reported: Muscle twitching
Postmarketing reports: Fractures
PARENTERAL:
Common (1% to 10%): Muscle spasms/increased muscle spasticity, muscle weakness
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased phosphokinase activity, joint pain, muscle cramps, myasthenia
Frequency not reported: Muscle aches, muscle twitching
Postmarketing reports: Fractures
RECTAL:
Common (1% to 10%): Muscle spasms, muscle weakness
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Myasthenia
Frequency not reported: Increased muscle spasticity, muscle cramps[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Increased salivation has been reported, especially in pediatric patients.
Gastrointestinal disorders occurred in patients with withdrawal symptoms.[Ref]
ORAL:
Common (1% to 10%): Gastrointestinal disorders
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, hypersalivation, increased salivary secretion, nausea, vomiting
Frequency not reported: Abdominal cramps
PARENTERAL:
Common (1% to 10%): Gastrointestinal disorders
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Constipation, decreased gag reflex, diarrhea, hypersalivation, increased salivary secretion, nausea, vomiting
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Dry mouth
Frequency not reported: Abdominal cramps, changes in salivation
RECTAL:
Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain, diarrhea, gastrointestinal disorders
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Changes in salivation, constipation, increased salivary secretion, nausea, vomiting
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Dry mouth, epigastric pain, obstipation
Frequency not reported: Abdominal cramps[Ref]
Metabolic
ORAL:
Common (1% to 10%): Loss of appetite
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased appetite
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Alkaline phosphatase elevations
PARENTERAL:
Common (1% to 10%): Loss of appetite
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Alkaline phosphatase elevations, increased appetite
RECTAL:
Common (1% to 10%): Loss of appetite
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Alkaline phosphatase elevations, increased appetite
Frequency not reported: Anorexia[Ref]
Appetite loss occurred in patients with withdrawal symptoms.[Ref]
Dermatologic
ORAL:
Common (1% to 10%): Sweating
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Allergic skin reactions, erythema, itching, rash/skin rash
Frequency not reported: Perspiration
PARENTERAL:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Allergic skin reactions, erythema, itching, photosensitivity, pruritus, rash/skin rash, urticaria
Frequency not reported: Perspiration, Steven-Johnson syndrome, sweating
RECTAL:
Common (1% to 10%): Rash, sweating
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Allergic skin reactions, erythema, itching
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Urticaria
Frequency not reported: Pruritus[Ref]
Sweating occurred in patients with withdrawal symptoms.[Ref]
Ocular
Double vision occurred at the start of treatment, but usually disappeared with continued use.[Ref]
ORAL:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Blurred vision, diplopia
Frequency not reported: Nystagmus, reversible visual disorders, visual disturbances
PARENTERAL:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Blurred vision, conjunctivitis, diplopia, nystagmus
Frequency not reported: Reversible visual disorders, visual disturbances
RECTAL:
Common (1% to 10%): Double vision/diplopia
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Other visual disturbances
Frequency not reported: Blurred vision, mydriasis, nystagmus, reversible visual disorders[Ref]
Hematologic
ORAL:
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Blood dyscrasias
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Leukopenia, neutropenia
PARENTERAL:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Agranulocytosis, anemia, blood dyscrasias, leukopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia
RECTAL:
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Blood dyscrasias, thrombocytopenia
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Leukopenia
Frequency not reported: Anemia, neutropenia, lymphadenopathy[Ref]
Genitourinary
ORAL:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Incontinence, urinary retention
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Impotence
PARENTERAL:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Difficulty in micturition
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Impotence, incontinence, urinary retention
Frequency not reported: Galactorrhea
RECTAL:
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Impotence, incontinence, menstrual disturbances, urinary retention
Frequency not reported: Urinary tract infection[Ref]
Hepatic
ORAL:
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Changes of hepatic parameters, elevation of ALT or AST, jaundice
PARENTERAL:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hepatic dysfunction, jaundice
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Changes of hepatic parameters, elevation of ALT or AST
Frequency not reported: Cholestasis
RECTAL:
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Changes of hepatic parameters, cholestatic jaundice, elevation of ALT or AST, hepatocellular jaundice, jaundice[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
ORAL:
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity reactions
PARENTERAL:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Immediate hypersensitivity reactions
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Anaphylaxis
RECTAL:
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Anaphylaxis, angioedema[Ref]
Renal
PARENTERAL:
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased serum creatinine[Ref]
Endocrine
ORAL:
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Gynecomastia
PARENTERAL:
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Gynecomastia
Frequency not reported: Increased plasma testosterone levels, increased prolactin levels
RECTAL:
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Gynecomastia[Ref]