Valclair

How does it work?

This medicine contains the active ingredient diazepam, which is a type of medicine called a benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepines are used for their sedative and anxiety-relieving effects. Diazepam works by acting on receptors in the brain called GABA receptors. This causes the release of a neurotransmitter called GABA in the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that are stored in nerve cells in the brain and nervous system. They are involved in transmitting messages between the nerve cells. GABA is a neurotransmitter that acts as a natural 'nerve-calming' agent. It helps keep the nerve activity in the brain in balance, and is involved in inducing sleepiness, reducing anxiety and relaxing muscles. As diazepam increases the activity of GABA in the brain, it increases its calming effect and results in sleepiness, a decrease in anxiety and relaxation of muscles. Diazepam has several uses. Firstly, it can be used to calm severe anxiety and agitation. For example, benzodiazepines such as diazepam are effective at quickly reducing the symptoms of anxiety and agitation that occur in a manic episode of the psychiatric illness, bipolar affective disorder. A benzodiazepine may be given as part of the initial treatment of a manic episode, though they are not licensed specifically for this purpose. Benzodiazepines help calm the individual while the main medicines for this condition (mood stabilisers) begin to take effect. Diazepam may also be used for short-term treatment of severe anxiety associated with insomnia. Diazepam decreases the time taken to fall asleep and nocturnal awakenings, as well as increasing the total amount of time spent sleeping. However, it is only suitable for short-term treatment of insomnia and anxiety as it has a high potential for dependence and addiction. As diazepam remains active in the body for many hours, drowsiness may also persist into the next day. Diazepam is also given for its sedating and anxiety-relieving effects as a pre-med before surgery or medical investigations or procedures, and during acute alcohol withdrawal. The second main use of diazepam is in controlling convulsions, for example epilepsy. It is particularly useful for controlling repeated epileptic fits when a patient does not recover conciousness between fits (status epilepticus). Diazepam helps control convulsions because the increased activity of GABA that it causes in the brain helps to calm excessive electrical nerve activity that is responsible for causing seizures. A further use of diazepam is in controlling muscle spasms due to tetanus or poisoning. Valclair is a rectal brand of diazepam, in the form of suppositories.

What is it used for?

Short-term treatment of severe anxiety or agitation

Short-term treatment of severe insomnia

Relieving anxiety and causing sedation prior to surgery or medical procedures (pre-med)

Acute alcohol withdrawal (used in combination with other treatment)

Convulsions, eg epilepsy

Muscle spasms due to tetanus or poisoning

Warning!

This medicine is generally only suitable for short-term use. If it is used for long periods or in high doses, tolerance to and dependence upon the medicine may develop, and withdrawal symptoms may occur if treatment is stopped suddenly. For this reason, treatment with this medicine should usually be stopped gradually, following the instructions given by your doctor, in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms such as rebound insomnia or anxiety, confusion, sweating, tremor, loss of appetite, irritability or convulsions.

This medicine causes drowsiness, muscle weakness and impairs concentration and alertness. These effects may continue into the following day and are made worse by drinking alcohol. If you are affected you should avoid potentially hazardous tasks such as driving or operating machinary. Avoid alcohol.

Use with caution in

Children

Elderly people

Weak or debilitated people

Decreased kidney function

Decreased liver function

Depression

Personality disorders

History of alcoholism or drug abuse

Disease affecting the airways or lungs (respiratory disease)

Life long inherited blood diseases which can cause a variety of symptoms, including mental health problems (porphyrias)

Not to be used in

A sudden worsening of any underlying lung disease (acute pulmonary insufficiency)

Slow, shallow breathing (respiratory depression)

Syndrome involving short spells when breathing stops during sleep

Abnormal muscle weakness

Long-term psychotic illness

Phobias or obsessional states

Severely decreased liver function

Breastfeeding

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine should be avoided during pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor, for example for controlling seizures. This is because it may be harmful to the developing baby. This is particularly important during the third trimester of pregnancy and prior to or during labour.

Significant amounts of this medicine may pass into breast milk. It should not be used by breastfeeding mothers as it may be harmful to the nursing infant. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

This medication causes drowsiness which may continue the next day. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Avoid alcoholic drink.

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