According
to Roche, the manufacturer of Valium, the side effects most commonly reported
to benzodiazepines were drowsiness, fatigue and ataxia (loss of the ability
to coordinate muscular movement).Adverse Effects of the "minor" tranquilizers
According
to Roche, the manufacturer of Valium, the side effects most commonly reported
to benzodiazepines were drowsiness, fatigue and ataxia (loss of the ability
to coordinate muscular movement).
Infrequently encountered were confusion, constipation, depression, diplopia, dysarthria, headache, hypotension, incontinence, jaundice, changes in libido, nausea, changes in salivation, skin rash, slurred speech, tremor, urinary retention, vertigo and blurred vision.
Paradoxical reactions such as acute hyperexcited states, anxiety, hallucinations, increased muscle spasticity, insomnia, rage, sleep disturbances and stimulation have been reported; should these occur, use of the drug should be discontinued.
In addition, withdrawal symptoms, similar in character to those noted with barbiturates and alcohol (convulsions, tremor, abdominal and muscle cramps, vomiting and sweating), have occurred following abrupt discontinuance of diazepam (aka Valium).
The more severe withdrawal symptoms have usually been limited to those patients who had received excessive doses over an extended period of time. Generally milder withdrawal symptoms such as, dysphoria (an emotional state characterized by anxiety, depression, or unease) and insomnia have been reported following abrupt discontinuance of benzodiazepines taken continuously at therapeutic levels for several months.
