Valium (diazepam) can be addictive, even when used as directed. Don’t stop taking it without consulting your doctor, as withdrawal symptoms can be severe. Continue reading about how long does valium stay in your system? How long does Valium last? And how long does Valium take to kick in?
What Is Valium?
Valium is often prescribed to relieve anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures. It is also used to ease uncomfortable symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Valium works by diminishing hyperactive brain function to relieve severe stress and anxiety. It is ingested orally in pill form and is usually taken 1-4 times daily when prescribed by a doctor. Valium is a long-acting Benzodiazepine.
This means it stays in the body much longer than shorter-acting Benzos like Halcion. Because of Valium’s long-lasting nature, people can take fewer daily doses than they would with shorter-acting Benzos. Valium for anxiety is meant to be taken regularly to be effective. But when someone starts taking Valium more than prescribed or without a prescription, they increase their risk of becoming addicted.
Internationally, Valium is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance under the Convention of Psychotropic Substances. The restrictions placed on this drug make it more difficult to obtain a prescription and restrict the number of prescriptions doctors can give. However, the recreational use of Valium continues. It’s typically dispensed in pill form but can be crushed to be snorted or melted into a solution for injection. When injected, Valium’s effects take as little as a minute to appear and last for about an hour.
How Long Does Valium Stay in Your System?
Curious about how long does Valium stay in your system? It’s an essential question, as overdosing on Valium or combining this sedative with other central nervous system depressants can be dangerous. Plus, if you’re undergoing a drug screening, you may want to know how long it takes for Valium to leave your system. And if you’re dependent on Valium, understanding when withdrawal symptoms could arise is crucial. Read on for the factors on how long does valium stay in your system?
Valium Half-Life
Want to know how long does valium stay in your system? Understanding Valium’s half-life is a good first step. Valium’s half-life measures the time it takes to eliminate half the initial amount in your system. Typically, it takes five half-lives for Valium to leave your system fully.
Moreover, Valium’s half-life is longer than other drugs in its class, ranging from 24-48 hours. This means a dose can take up to 10 days to leave your body fully. Valium also breaks down into other substances that can linger in your system and appear in drug screenings. One of these metabolites, known as nordiazepam, can stay in your body for up to 25 days.
How Long Does Valium Stay in Your System Chart?
The length of time Valium (Diazepam) stays in your system can vary depending on several factors, including age, weight, liver function, and dosage. Here’s a general guideline on how long does valium stay in your system:
- Blood: Up to 48 hours
- Urine: Up to 4-6 weeks
- Saliva: Up to 10 days
- Hair: Up to 90 days
These are typical ranges and may differ based on individual circumstances. Factors such as frequency of use and the method of administration can also affect how long Valium stays in your system.
It’s recommended only to take Valium as prescribed by a healthcare provider and to avoid taking it longer than necessary to minimize the risk of side effects and dependency. If you have any concerns about Valium use or how long it stays in your system, it’s best to consult with a healthcare provider.
How Long Does it Take for Valium to Kick In?
When taken orally as a pill, it usually takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour for Valium (Diazepam) to kick in. However, the onset of action can vary. Read on to learn the factors that determine how long does Valium take to kick in?
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Importance of Understanding “How Long Does Valium Stay in Your System?”
Valium is the brand-name version of diazepam, a prescription benzodiazepine drug commonly used to treat anxiety and seizures. Valium stays in the body longer than many other benzos, which is why it is so effective for seizure treatment. However, its long-lasting nature also makes it extremely risky to use substances like alcohol or opioids. Understanding how long does Valium stay in your system, Valium’s duration effects, its half-life, and how it’s broken down in the body can help you avoid life-threatening risks like an overdose.
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Hotline(844) 597-1011How Long Does Valium Take to Kick in?
Valium can be taken orally with an onset of action ranging from 15 to 60 minutes. In surgical settings or when oral administration is impossible, Valium can be given intravenously for the onset of action within 1 to 3 minutes. For seizures, particularly in children, there is a rectal formulation of Valium that can stop seizures within just 15 minutes of administration.
How Long Does Valium Take to Kick in Chart?
Here’s a table to provide a more concise overview of how long does Valium Take to kick in:
| Valium Method of Use | Valium Time to Kick In |
|---|---|
| Oral | 30 minutes to 1 hour |
| Rectal | Within 15 minutes |
| Intravenous (IV) | Within 5 minutes |
Understanding How Long Does Valium Take to Kick in Factors
Valium (Diazepam) is a medication that regulates brain chemicals that can cause anxiety and muscle spasms. The time it takes for Valium to kick depends on age, weight, and dosage. The speed of Valium’s onset can be affected by factors such as metabolism, liver function, and the individual’s response to the medication. Read on how long does Valium take to kick in?
How Long Does It Take to Feel Valium’s Effects?
Valium (Diazepam) is a medication that regulates brain chemicals that can cause anxiety and muscle spasms. Here’s a general guideline of how long Valium takes to kick in:
- When taken orally: About 30 minutes to an hour
- When taken rectally: Within 15 minutes
- When administered intravenously (IV): Within 5 minutes
Valium’s onset times can vary based on individual circumstances such as metabolism, liver function, and the individual’s response to the medication. It’s recommended only to take Valium as prescribed by a healthcare provider and to avoid alcohol or other substances that can increase the risk of side effects or dependency.
If you have any concerns or questions about taking Valium or how long does Valium take to kick in, it’s best to consult a healthcare provider. They can provide guidance on the medication’s appropriate dosage, administration, and potential side effects.
How Long Does Valium Take to Kick in – Oral Pills
Generally, most people report the effects of Valium are felt within 30 minutes to an hour after taking it.
Valium is typically taken as an oral tablet. When taken as a pill, Valium (Diazepam) usually takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour to kick in. However, the peak effects are generally last for 1-2 hours. However, the onset of action can vary depending on the individual’s metabolism and other factors such as body weight, age, and liver function.
The effects of Valium can last for several hours, and it’s important to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery while under its effect.
How Long Does Valium Take to Kick in – Rectal Use
When Valium (Diazepam) is administered rectally as a suppository, its onset time can be quicker than oral administration.
The onset time is typically within 5-15 minutes of administration. This is because the medication is absorbed quickly through the rectal tissues and enters the bloodstream faster. The duration of the effects of Valium can last for several hours.
If you have any concerns or questions about the use of Valium suppositories or how long it takes to kick in, it’s best to consult with a healthcare provider. They can provide guidance on the appropriate dosage, administration, and any potential side effects or risks associated with the medication.
If you have any questions or concerns about taking Valium or how long does Valium take to kick in? It’s best to consult with a healthcare provider. They can provide guidance on the medication’s appropriate dosage, administration, and potential side effects.
How Long Does Valium Last?
The effects of Valium can last as long as 12 hours after a single dose. However, Valium stays in the system much longer than a person feels the effects. This is why drugs like Valium are involved in so many overdose deaths in the United States.
A study in North Carolina showed that the risk of death from opioid overdose is 10 times higher when a person is also taking a benzodiazepine like Valium. Valium and other opioids are known to slow down the central nervous system; combined, their effects are much greater than when taken alone.
Compared to other benzodiazepines, Valium is fairly long-lasting. For example, the effects of Xanax, another benzodiazepine, are felt for only six hours.
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(844) 597-1011What Does Valium Show Up As On A Drug Test? How Long Does Valium Stay in Your System?
How Long Does a Valium Stay in Your System? Valium—or metabolites associated with the medication—can be detected in the body in different ways.
A drug’s half-life measures how long it takes the body to remove half of the drug from its system. A drug stays in the system for approximately five half-lives before it is eliminated from the body. The half-life of Valium is approximately 48 hours, regardless of its dosage. This means the drug will be in the body for approximately 10 days. However, its metabolites can remain for much longer.
The body breaks down diazepam into a metabolite called desmethyldiazepam, which has a long half-life of up to 100 hours. This means that after you take a dose of diazepam, the drug and its metabolites can take up to 25 days to clear your body.
How long does valium stay in urine for drug tests?
Valium can be detected in urine for one to six weeks after being taken.
Urine Test For Valium
Valium (Diazepam) can stay in urine for 1-6 weeks after the last use. However, the exact time it can be detected depends on several factors, such as the dosage, frequency of use, and individual metabolism. This means that if you’ve used Valium recently, it’s likely to be detected in a urine drug test. It’s important to note that urine drug tests can detect Valium and its metabolites for some time after use.
If you have a prescription for Valium and need to take a drug test, provide proof of your prescription to avoid any potential confusion or consequences. If you have any concerns or questions about how long Valium stays in your urine or any other aspect of drug testing, it’s best to consult with a healthcare provider.
Blood Test For Valium
Valium is detectable in blood for six to 48 hours. Blood tests tend to be used less frequently than other test methods due to the shorter detection window and the more invasive nature of the test. However, a blood test may be used in some forensic settings or to confirm an unexpected positive urine test result.
Saliva Drug Test Valium
A saliva test can detect Valium for one to 10 days after it’s taken. Research suggests that saliva testing can be a viable alternative to urine testing for detecting Valium and other benzodiazepines.
While saliva tests have a fairly long detection window, this type of testing can present some challenges. Valium side effects can include dry mouth or hypersalivation, which can affect the ability to collect an adequate sample or may dilute the amount of detectable substance in the oral fluid.
Hair Test For Valium
Like many other drugs, Valium can be detected with a hair follicle drug test for up to 90 days. The long detection window of this testing method means that it can be used to look for past drug use. If you have been prescribed Valium to treat anxiety or another condition, inform the testing lab, even if you are no longer taking your medication.
False Positive for Valium Drug Test
Some medications may cross-react with drug screens. There are reports of the antidepressant medication Zoloft (sertraline) and prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug Daypro (oxaprozin) causing false-positive urine screens for benzodiazepines like Valium.
Always disclose any prescription or over-the-counter medications you take to the lab so clinicians can accurately interpret your drug screen results.
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Factors that Affect How Long Valium Stays in the System?
How Long Does a Valium Stay in Your System? Various factors can influence how long Valium remains in a person’s system, including body fat, age, dosage amounts, other medications, and substance use.
Body Fat
Valium is a highly lipophilic drug, meaning it prefers to settle into fat tissue and does not absorb well into environments with a lot of water. Therefore, Valium typically stays in the system longer if a person has more body fat.
Drug Interactions
Diazepam is mainly metabolized in the liver by different metabolic enzymes. If you are taking drugs that interfere with these enzymes, it may take more or less time for diazepam to be metabolized.
Drugs that commonly interact with Valium may include:
- Opioids: This class of medications includes hydrocodone, oxycodone, fentanyl, and heroin. Taking opioids and Valium together is extremely dangerous and can lead to respiratory depression.
- Alcohol: Mixing alcohol and Valium increases the risk of overdose and death.
- Antacids: These types of drugs increase the time it takes Valium to start working.
- Drugs that interact with cytochrome 3A4 include ketoconazole, fluvoxamine, and fluoxetine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a full list of interactive medications.
- Phenytoin: This anti-seizure medication can reach toxic levels if taken with Valium.
Dosage and Frequency
In general, a drug’s half-life is the same, regardless of dosage. Because diazepam has a 48-hour half-life, and it takes five half-lives for the body to eliminate a drug, diazepam is usually cleared within 10 days. However, since diazepam can accumulate in fat tissue, repeated doses can cause the drug to accumulate and increase its half-life.
These effects would not be evident after taking just one dose. However, If someone takes diazepam every day for weeks, then the half-life will increase.
Age
Older adults tend to have different types of body tissue than younger adults. In particular, older adults have more fat tissue and less lean muscle tissue. Because of this, diazepam is likely to stick around for longer in people aged 65 or older.
Valium Addiction
Valium is an addictive Benzodiazepine with longer-lasting effects than other drugs in its class. Valium addiction can progress quickly if the drug is used in a way not directed by a doctor. Over time, it is harder for a Valium abuser’s brain to function normally without the drug. Yet some people addicted to Valium may not even realize they have a problem.
Taking Valium for longer than 4-6 weeks, even with a prescription from a doctor, increases the likelihood of becoming addicted. One of the telltale symptoms of a Valium addiction is needing larger doses to feel the drug’s effects. Other signs of Valium addiction include:
- Strong cravings for the drug
- Isolation from family and friends
- Continued use despite problems caused by the drug
- Loss of interest in once enjoyable activities
- Ignoring obligations
Once a user tolerates Valium’s effects, they could also have withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking it. Valium withdrawal can be dangerous and uncomfortable, which makes it hard for addicted people to quit on their own. The withdrawal symptoms are intense, and many people addicted to Valium need the drug to feel normal.
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Treatment for Valium Addiction
Intervention And Next Steps
If someone you love is struggling with Valium Addiction, talking to them about it is important. Getting an addicted person into treatment as soon as possible can prevent future problems with their health, career, and family life. Staging an intervention is one way to persuade your loved one to get help. Interventions help addicted people see how they are affecting their family and friends. It can also make it easier to speak to the addicted person with the support of other loved ones.
People high on Valium may be incoherent or confused, so it’s best to stage the intervention when your loved one is less likely to be intoxicated. Make sure to rehearse what you’re going to say before the intervention. If you aren’t sure what to say or think your loved one may become aggressive, consider hiring a professional interventionist.
Withdrawal And Treatment for Valium Addiction
People addicted to Valium should never quit “cold turkey.” Withdrawal from Valium can lead to seizures and coma, which can be fatal. Treatment for a Valium addiction helps users step down their doses over several weeks to minimize uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms and prevent complications. Some common withdrawal symptoms from Valium include anxiety, insomnia, and shakiness.
The duration of withdrawal is different for everyone. Those who took larger doses of Valium over an extended period took the longest to reach a sense of “normal” without the drug. Therapy and support groups are also invaluable cornerstones of Valium addiction treatment. Treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Valium addiction help users understand the underlying reasons for their Valium addiction. Support groups and 12-step meetings can provide a constructive environment for people with the same goal.
How Long Does Valium Stay in Your System? Video
Valium (diazepam) is a commonly prescribed medication for anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures. However, its potential for addiction is a serious concern. This video delves into crucial questions: How long does Valium stay in your system? What is its half-life? How does it impact your body, and what factors influence its duration in your system?
Reclaim Your Life From Valium Addiction
People suffering from Valium addiction often put their addiction ahead of their professional and personal obligations. They are also likely to become unmotivated and lose interest in hobbies they once found pleasurable. We Level Up rehab treatment & detox center can provide you, or someone you love, the tools to recover from this condition with a professional and safe detox process. Feel free to call us to speak with one of our counselors. We can inform you about this condition by giving you relevant information. Our specialists know what you are going through. Please know that each call is private and confidential.
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Sources
[1] National Institutes on Health. (2014). Diazepam. How Long Does Valium Stay in Your System?
[2] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2008). Substance Abuse Treatment Admissions for Abuse of Benzodiazepines. How Long Does Valium Stay in Your System?
[3] U.S. National Library of Medicine. (2010). Diazepam. How Long Does Valium Stay in Your System?
[4] The Drug Abuse Warning Network. (2014). Benzodiazepines in Combination with Opioid Pain Relievers or Alcohol: Greater Risk of More Serious ED Visit Outcomes. How Long Does Valium Stay in Your System?