Oral Diazepam Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide

Diazepam (Valium) is a benzodiazepine medication with a decades-long history of treating anxiety, seizures, and muscle spasms. It’s also a first-choice medication for treating alcohol withdrawal symptoms. But diazepam is also a controlled substance. This means it carries a risk for dependence and misuse. The right diazepam dosage is a balancing act of treating your symptoms and minimizing the risk of these side effects.

In this guide, we’ll review the recommended oral diazepam dosages. Keep in mind that your prescribed dosage may differ from what’s listed here. Be sure to follow your prescriber’s directions, and let them know if you have questions or concerns.

What dosage forms does diazepam come in?

Diazepam comes in several different dosage forms. There are three oral forms of diazepam, and each one comes in different doses. The chart below summarizes this information.

You should mix diazepam concentrated solution with liquid or semi-solid food before you consume it. Common examples include water, juice, and applesauce or pudding. Be sure to use the calibrated syringe included with the medication to measure your dose.

Promotion disclosure

Diazepam

Avg retail price

$16.61(Save 66.23%)

GoodRx discount

$5.61

Compare all prices

Diazepam also comes in a rectal gel (Diastat, Diastat Acudial), a nasal spray (Valtoco), and a film that’s dissolved in the mouth (Libervant). And there’s an injectable form of diazepam that’s given in healthcare settings. But these diazepam products have different FDA-approved uses than oral forms. So for this dosage guide, we’ll only be discussing oral diazepam dosages.

What’s the typical oral diazepam dosage for adults?

The oral diazepam dosage for adults varies based on the condition you’re taking it for. Diazepam is often prescribed on an as-needed basis, meaning you only take it when symptoms become bothersome. But it’s also prescribed on a scheduled basis, meaning you’ll take it regularly as prescribed. Your prescriber will determine which dosing schedule is best for you based on your personal history.

Keep in mind that diazepam is meant for short-term use (4 months or less). There aren’t enough studies for us to know if taking diazepam long-term is safe. Doing so may raise the risk of dependence and misuse. 

Anxiety

The typical diazepam dosage for anxiety starts at 2 mg by mouth 2 to 4 times per day. From there, your prescriber may raise your dose as needed up to 10 mg per dose. In some cases, higher doses may be needed in order to manage your symptoms. Your prescriber will work with you to find the best dosage and frequency for your needs.

Alcohol withdrawal

For alcohol withdrawal symptoms, the recommended diazepam dosage is 10 mg by mouth 3 to 4 times during the first 24 hours. After that, you’ll likely reduce the dose to 5 mg as needed up to 4 times per day.

Muscle spasms

For muscle spasms, the recommended diazepam dosage is 2 mg to 10 mg taken 3 to 4 times per day. You’ll likely start on the lower end of this range, and your prescriber will increase your dose as needed based on your response.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• What are the most common anxiety medications? Antidepressants are typically first-choice medications for anxiety. But learn about why diazepam may be a good option in some cases.

• Diazepam side effects: Diazepam can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and more. Read more about potential serious risks, such as misuse and overdose.

• What interacts with diazepam? Find out why combining alcohol, opioids, or sleep aids with diazepam can be dangerous.

In most cases, you’ll take diazepam along with another treatment to help manage muscle spasms. This is known as adjunctive use. Diazepam isn’t approved to treat muscle spasms on its own.

Seizures

The recommended diazepam dosage to manage seizures is 2 mg to 10 mg by mouth 2 to 4 times per day. As with muscle spasms, diazepam isn’t approved to manage seizures on its own. It’s typically prescribed in addition to other anti-seizure medications.

What’s the typical diazepam dosage for children?

Diazepam is approved for children age 6 months and older. It’s most often prescribed for seizures in this age group, although other uses are possible in certain cases.

The recommended diazepam dosage for children starts at 1 mg to 2.5 mg by mouth 3 to 4 times per day. Your child’s pediatrician may raise the dosage from there based on how they respond to the medication.

Are there any dosage adjustments for health conditions?

Certain health conditions can affect how your body handles medications. In some cases, you may need a different diazepam dosage to ensure your medication levels stay within a safe range.

Kidney or liver problems

Your body relies on both your kidneys and your liver to break down and get rid of diazepam. If you have kidney or liver problems, you may not be able to clear diazepam as well. This can lead to higher levels in the body, raising your risk for diazepam side effects.

There aren’t specific diazepam dosage adjustments recommended for people with kidney or liver problems. But your prescriber may start with a lower dosage than usual, and they’ll likely keep a close eye on how you respond to avoid unwanted side effects.

Older adults

Older adults are at a higher risk for diazepam side effects. So if you’re age 65 or older, a lower starting diazepam dosage of 2 mg to 2.5 mg by mouth 1 to 2 times per day is generally recommended. 

What happens if you miss a dose of diazepam?

If you miss a dose of diazepam, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. Don’t take more than one dose of diazepam at a time.

If you miss more than one dose of diazepam and are taking it on a scheduled basis, contact your prescriber for guidance. They can help you get back on track with your doses.

What should you do if you take too much diazepam?

If you take an extra dose of diazepam by mistake, you may experience more side effects, such as dizziness or drowsiness.

But taking too much diazepam can also result in a life-threatening benzodiazepine overdose. That’s why it’s important to take diazepam exactly as prescribed. The risk of a diazepam overdose goes up if you combine it with other substances, such as opioids or alcohol.

Symptoms of a diazepam overdose include:

• Extreme drowsiness

• Slurred speech

• Confusion

• Problems with balance, coordination, and muscle control

• Weak pulse

• Shallow, slow, or irregular breathing

If you think you or a loved one has taken too much diazepam, call 911 or seek emergency care right away. It’s important to receive treatment as quickly as possible.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA

Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA, is a licensed pharmacist specializing in chronic disease and health and wellness. Upon completing his residency, he worked in the managed care field, conducting medication therapy management and adherence counseling sessions with Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance patients, before transitioning to a career in medical writing.

Edited by:

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

Reviewed by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts