I am taking Valium (Diazepam) as a muscle relaxant

From the Guidelines

Valium (diazepam) should be used with caution and only for short-term relief of muscle spasms due to its potential for dependence and side effects. As a benzodiazepine, it enhances the effects of GABA, a neurotransmitter that inhibits brain activity, which helps reduce muscle tension and spasms 1. Typical dosing for muscle relaxation is 2-10 mg taken 2-4 times daily as prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Important Considerations

• The medication should be taken exactly as directed, as it can be habit-forming and may cause physical dependence with prolonged use.
• Side effects may include drowsiness, fatigue, and impaired coordination, so you should avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how it affects you.
• Valium should not be combined with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants as this can cause dangerous respiratory depression.
• It's essential to note that Valium is typically prescribed for short-term use (2-4 weeks) for muscle spasms, as longer use increases the risk of dependence 1.
• Never stop taking Valium suddenly as withdrawal symptoms can occur; your doctor will create a tapering schedule if needed.

Alternatives and Risks

• Skeletal muscle relaxants, including Valium, were found to be moderately superior to placebo for short-term pain relief in acute low back pain 1.
• However, they were associated with a higher total number of adverse events and central nervous system adverse events compared with placebo 1.
• Other muscle relaxants like tizanidine and cyclobenzaprine have shown efficacy in acute low back pain, but the evidence for their use in chronic low back pain is limited 1.

Key Takeaways

• Use Valium with caution and only for short-term relief of muscle spasms.
• Be aware of the potential for dependence and side effects.
• Follow the prescribed dosing and duration of treatment.
• Consider alternative muscle relaxants and consult with your healthcare provider to determine the best treatment option for your specific condition 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

Diazepam is a useful adjunct for the relief of skeletal muscle spasm due to reflex spasm to local pathology (such as inflammation of the muscles or joints, or secondary to trauma), spasticity caused by upper motor neuron disorders (such as cerebral palsy and paraplegia), athetosis, and stiff-man syndrome

Diazepam can be used as a muscle relaxant for the relief of skeletal muscle spasm due to various conditions. However, it is recommended to be used as an adjunct, implying that it should be used in addition to other treatments, rather than as the sole therapy. 2

From the Research

Muscle Relaxant Use

• Valium (Diazepam) is used as a muscle relaxant, and its effectiveness has been compared to other medications such as baclofen in various studies 3, 4.
• A study from 1985 found that both baclofen and diazepam produced overall improvement in spasticity reduction, but side-effects, especially excessive daytime sedation, were more common in the diazepam group 3.
• A systematic review from 2004 found that baclofen, tizanidine, and dantrolene are effective compared to placebo in patients with spasticity, and that baclofen and tizanidine are roughly equivalent for efficacy in patients with spasticity 4.

Baclofen Use and Abuse

• Baclofen is widely used for spastic disorders and has been associated with non-medical use and abuse 5.
• A case series and review of the literature from 2023 found that baclofen's non-medical use mainly affects male subjects with addictive history, and that euphoria search is the most common reason for misuse 5.
• High dose oral baclofen therapy has been studied, and the safety and efficacy of high dose baclofen was confirmed in a pilot study from 1992 6.

Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy

• Intrathecal baclofen is considered an adjuvant therapy for patients with intractable spasms due to stiff-person syndrome 7.
• A case report from 2021 found that intrathecal baclofen therapy was effective in managing symptomatic stiff-person syndrome, with improvement in function and complete functional independence in ambulation without the need for assistive devices 7.