Benzodiazepines
Diazepam
Diazepam (Valium) is a long-acting benzodiazepine for anxiety, alcohol withdrawal and muscle spasm and, as rectal gel or Valtoco nasal spray, a rescue treatment for seizure clusters. It is Schedule IV; the tablets are generic from many makers, while Valtoco is brand-only.
This page is general information about a medication and how cash prices for it are set. It is not medical advice and does not replace the label, your prescriber or your pharmacist. How we handle medical information
Tablets have many generic makers, and Valium is still sold; rectal gel has generics rated equivalent to Diastat; Valtoco has none.
About Diazepam
Diazepam strengthens the calming effect of GABA in the brain. Tablets and liquids treat anxiety, acute alcohol withdrawal and muscle spasm and are added to other seizure treatment, usually 1 to 4 times a day. It and an active breakdown product last for days, so effects can build up, and older adults start on lower doses. Drowsiness, tiredness, muscle weakness and unsteadiness are common.
The boxed warning covers three risks: with opioids it can cause deep sedation, slowed breathing, coma and death; it can lead to abuse, misuse and addiction, which can end in overdose; and regular use causes dependence, so stopping suddenly or cutting the dose quickly can bring on life-threatening withdrawal, and it is tapered. It is not used in myasthenia gravis, severe breathing or liver problems, sleep apnea, acute narrow-angle glaucoma or babies under 6 months. As a Schedule IV drug, a prescription can carry up to five refills within six months.
Rectal gel (Diastat AcuDial and generic) and Valtoco nasal spray treat seizure clusters, bursts that differ from a person’s usual seizures, in people with epilepsy aged 2 and over. A caregiver gives the dose; a second may follow 4 to 12 hours later for the gel or at least 4 hours later for the spray, and either treats no more than one episode every 5 days and five a month. The pharmacist locks the prescribed dose on each gel syringe, and Valtoco doses of 15 and 20 mg use two devices, one per nostril.
Taking Diazepam
- How to take it
- As prescribed. Measure the concentrate with its marked dropper and mix it into water, juice or soft food such as applesauce or pudding just before taking it. After rectal gel, the caregiver stays with the person for 4 hours, watching breathing and color, and calls for emergency help if seizures continue 15 minutes after the dose or seem different or worse.
- If you miss a dose
- If you take tablets several times a day and miss a dose, MedlinePlus says to skip it and continue your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.
- Storage
- At room temperature, away from light, heat and moisture, out of reach of children and others. Throw away an opened concentrate bottle after 90 days. Use a take-back program rather than flushing.
- Interactions to know about
- Opioids, alcohol, sleep medicines and other sedatives deepen sedation and can slow breathing dangerously. Cimetidine, ketoconazole, fluvoxamine, fluoxetine and omeprazole can raise its levels and prolong drowsiness. Do not drive until you know how it affects you.
This summarizes the official prescribing information. Your prescriber’s and pharmacist’s instructions, and the leaflet that comes with your medicine, take priority.
Why the cash price for Diazepam differs from pharmacy to pharmacy
Tablets come from many makers, so a quote is mostly the pharmacy’s fee and markup, unless the prescription names Valium without allowing substitution.
Rectal gel comes in twin packs of two syringes, and generic gel can be substituted for Diastat AcuDial unless the prescription forbids it. Valtoco has no generic, so quotes differ by markup, and a pharmacy may need to order it.
Upload it and licensed pharmacies reply with their own cash price. You pay the pharmacy, not us.
Ways to pay less for Diazepam without insurance
- Ask for generic tablets, and make sure the prescription allows substitution rather than naming Valium only.
- Ask whether diazepam is on the pharmacy’s flat-price generic list.
- For rectal gel, ask for the generic and how many twin packs the prescription covers.
- For Valtoco, ask the maker about savings programs.
- Upload the prescription to Script Unlock so licensed pharmacies can quote their cash price. You pay the pharmacy directly.
How Script Unlock gets you a cash price for Diazepam
Prices on this site come from pharmacies responding to a real prescription. We do not publish estimated, average or "typical" prices, because none of those would be your price.
- 1You upload your prescription
A photo of your Diazepam prescription is enough. Nothing is sold on the site; you are asking pharmacies to quote.
- 2Licensed pharmacies respond
Pharmacies that Script Unlock has verified see the request and each can reply with its own cash price for your exact drug, strength and quantity.
- 3You choose and pay the pharmacy
You compare the responses, pick a pharmacy, and pay that pharmacy directly when you collect. Script Unlock never takes a patient payment and never sets the price.
Questions to ask your pharmacist about Diazepam
- 1.How long am I meant to take it, and how would it be tapered?
- 2.Is it safe with my pain, sleep or other medicines?
- 3.Is the gel syringe locked at my dose, with the green ready band showing?
- 4.When should a caregiver call for emergency help after a rescue dose?
Where Diazepam fits
Refill, transfer and electronic-prescribing rules for controlled substances differ by state. See pharmacy rules by state.
Related medications
Sources
Script Unlock is a marketplace that lets licensed pharmacies quote a cash price on your prescription. It does not prescribe, dispense or sell medication, does not process patient payments, and does not give medical advice. Always follow the instructions of your prescriber and pharmacist and read the medication guide supplied with your medicine.