Diazepam 10mg (Elipam)

🧠 Anxiety Relief

Calms excessive anxiety and associated distress by enhancing the inhibitory effect of GABA in the brain’s limbic system — effects typically felt within 15–60 minutes of oral dosing.

💪 Muscle Relaxation

Acts on spinal cord and motor neurons to relieve muscle spasms and stiffness caused by neurological conditions, injury, or inflammation including cerebral palsy and spinal cord disorders.

⚡ Anticonvulsant / Seizure Control

Acts on cortex, thalamus, and cerebellum to reduce neuronal excitability. Used as adjunct therapy in certain epilepsies (e.g. myoclonus) and for management of seizures in acute settings.

🍺 Alcohol Withdrawal

Preferred benzodiazepine for managing moderate to severe alcohol withdrawal due to its long half-life, which provides a smoother, more controlled reduction in withdrawal symptoms including agitation and risk of seizures.

Mechanism

Positive allosteric modulator of GABA-A receptor — increases frequency of chloride channel opening, hyperpolarising neurons and reducing excitability

Primary Effects

Anxiolytic, sedative, anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant, amnesic

Metabolism

Hepatic via CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 — produces active metabolite desmethyldiazepam (half-life up to 100 hours)

Half-Life

~46 hours (parent); active metabolite up to 100 hours — allows once or twice daily dosing

Absorption

Over 90% absorbed orally; peak plasma at 1–1.5 hours; 98% protein-bound

Duration of use: For anxiety, treatment should not exceed 4 weeks including any tapering period. For muscle spasm or epilepsy adjunct therapy, duration may be longer under specialist supervision.

Anxiety — Adults

Dose range

5 – 30 mg daily in divided doses

Max duration

4 weeks including taper

Insomnia associated with Anxiety

Dose

5 – 15 mg taken before bedtime

Muscle Spasm — Adults

Dose

2 – 10 mg, 3 – 4 times daily

Alcohol Withdrawal

Dose

5 – 20 mg; repeated if necessary every 2 – 4 hours

Elderly / Hepatic / Renal Impairment

Use half the standard adult dose. Reduce further or avoid in severe hepatic impairment — risk of coma.

⛔ Children under 6 months

Contraindicated — do not use in infants under 6 months

💡 Administration Tips

• Swallow tablets whole with a glass of water — can be taken with or without food.
• Always use the lowest effective dose. Calming effects typically felt within 2 hours.
• Never stop suddenly — always taper gradually to prevent withdrawal seizures.
• Avoid grapefruit juice — increases diazepam blood levels and enhances sedative effects.

Very Common

Drowsiness, dizziness, impaired coordination, fatigue

Common

Memory impairment, confusion, muscle weakness, slurred speech, blurred vision, tremor

Rare

Amnesia, depression, hallucinations, nightmares, paradoxical reactions (agitation, aggression)

Serious

Respiratory depression (especially with opioids/alcohol), physical dependence, severe withdrawal seizures on abrupt discontinuation

⚠ Key Safety Warnings

• High dependence potential: Both physical and psychological dependence can develop, even at therapeutic doses. Discuss an exit strategy before starting treatment.
• Never stop abruptly: Sudden discontinuation can cause life-threatening withdrawal seizures. Always taper dose gradually.
• Alcohol & opioids: Combining with alcohol or opioids dramatically increases the risk of fatal respiratory depression.
• Driving: Impairs alertness and coordination — do not drive or operate machinery. Effects may carry over to the following day.
• Elderly: Increased sensitivity — use half the adult dose. Higher risk of falls and cognitive impairment.

⛔ Known hypersensitivity to diazepam or other benzodiazepines

⛔ Myasthenia gravis

⛔ Acute pulmonary insufficiency or severe respiratory depression

⛔ Sleep apnoea syndrome

⛔ Severe hepatic impairment — risk of coma

⛔ Phobic or obsessional states; chronic psychosis

⛔ Pregnancy — risk of neonatal withdrawal and floppy infant syndrome

⛔ Breastfeeding — diazepam and metabolites pass into breast milk

⛔ Infants under 6 months of age

Key Interactions

Alcohol (avoid — fatal respiratory risk); Opioids (avoid — additive CNS depression); Grapefruit juice (increases diazepam levels); CYP3A4 inhibitors e.g. ketoconazole, erythromycin (increase plasma levels); CYP inducers e.g. rifampicin (reduce effect)

Temperature

Store below 25°C in a cool, dry place

Light & Moisture

Keep in original packaging; protect from direct light and moisture

Children

Keep out of sight and reach of children at all times

Expiry

Do not use after the expiry date printed on the packaging

Disposal

Return unused tablets to pharmacy. Do not flush or dispose in household waste.

Brand Name

ELIPAM-10

Active Ingredient

Diazepam 10 mg per tablet (I.P.)

Drug Class

Benzodiazepine — Anxiolytic / Anticonvulsant / Muscle Relaxant

Dosage Form

Tablets I.P. (Oral)

Pack Size

4 × 5 × 10 = 200 tablets per box

Indication

Anxiety, muscle spasm, alcohol withdrawal, seizures, pre-op sedation