How does diazepam work?
Diazepam belongs to a group of medicines called benzodiazepines.
It works by increasing the levels of a calming chemical in your brain.
Depending on your health condition, this can make you feel drowsy, relieve anxiety, stop seizures or relax tense muscles.
When will I feel better?
When will I feel better?
Diazepam will work quite quickly or more slowly depending on what you’re taking it for:
- seizures or fits – diazepam rectal tubes should start to work within 10 minutes
- anxiety – you should start to feel a bit better within a few hours, but it may take a week or 2 for you to feel the full effects
- muscle spasms – you should begin to feel less pain after 15 minutes. Your muscles will start to relax when you have been taking diazepam regularly for a few days
Are there other medicines for anxiety and for seizures or fits?
There are different types of medicines for treating anxiety or seizures or fits.
For anxiety, depending on your symptoms, you may need a medicine to treat your physical symptoms, as well as your psychological ones.
Your doctor will usually start you on a type of antidepressant called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), such as sertraline, paroxetine or escitalopram.
For seizures or fits, a medicine called midazolam can be used. It comes as a pre-filled syringe and is given inside your mouth between your cheek and your gum (buccal cavity).
You can use this instead of rectal diazepam, which is inserted into your bottom (anus).
You can discuss the different options with your doctor. They’ll help you decide which medicine is best for you.