Valclair

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

- Drowsiness
- Drowsiness and lightheadedness the next day
- Shaky movements and unsteady walk (ataxia)
- Loss of memory (amnesia)
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Muscle weakness
- Headache
- Difficulty in passing urine (urinary retention)
- Skin rashes
- Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain
- Visual disturbances
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Balance problems involving the inner ear (vertigo)
- Unexpected increase in aggression (paradoxical aggression)
- Changes in sex drive
- Blood disorders

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.

There may be an increased risk of drowsiness and sedation if diazepam is taken with any of the following (which can also cause drowsiness):

- alcohol
- tricyclic antidepressants, eg amitriptyline
- MAOI antidepressants, eg phenelzine
- antipsychotics, eg chlorpromazine, clozapine
- opioids, eg morphine, codeine, dihydrocodeine
- other benzodiazepines, eg temazepam
- barbiturates, eg phenobarbital
- sedating antihistamines, eg chlorphenamine
- sleeping tablets.

The following medicines may increase the blood level of diazepam and may therefore increase its sedative effects:

- cimetidine
- disulfiram
- isoniazid
- fluvoxamine
- omeprazole
- ritonavir.

Your doctor may need to prescribe a lower than normal dose of diazepam if you are taking any of these medicines.

The following medicines may decrease the blood level of diazepam, making it less effective:

- phenytoin
- rifampicin.

Your doctor may need to prescribe a larger than normal dose of diazepam if you are taking any of these medicines.

Caffeine and theophylline may reduce the sedative and anxiety-reducing effects of diazepam.

Diazepam may reduce the effectiveness of levodopa in treating Parkinson's disease.

Diazepam may increase or decrease blood phenytoin levels.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredients

Diazemuls	Diazepam	Stesolid

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