Tapering and Stopping Valium / Diazepam. Philadelphia Offices

Valium (diazepam) has an active metabolite that takes 100 hours to decrease in someone's body by 50%. This means that if someone is taking valium, it will take approximately 21 days to fully leave their system, once they stop taking it. Many individuals do not realize this, and have severe difficulties trying to decrease or stop this medication, because they decrease too fast. For example, they may make a drop, then after 3 or 4 days think, "this is going well, I'm ok to make another." That second drop then catches up with them (severe anxiety and withdrawal, which can be dangerous) because they had not come to a new baseline. We often recommend waiting 1-2 months after a decrease in valium, for patients who have taken this medication long-term and wish to taper off of it.
Do not start, stop or change your medication dose, without speaking directly with your provider.
Dr. Pagnani is the Medical Director of Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates in Philadelphia, PA and surrounding areas. Their practice has 25 Academically oriented provides and is now scheduling in-office and telemedicine visits.
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