Patient/caregiver was educated on contraindications for using Valium as follows:
- Do not take valium, if you ever manifested any allergic responses to intake of valium or any other medications belonging to the same group as valium, such as, oxazepam, lorazepam, prazepam, and alprazolam. In the event of an allergic response with any of these medications, check with your physician regarding your safety with intake of Valium.
- Valium, especially when taken in high doses, can lead to depression of respiratory center in the brain and difficulty breathing. Severe cases might also lead to emergency situations, such as, respiratory arrest and can result in serious debility and death. Valium must be used with extra caution in individuals with history of breathing issues, such as, asthma and COPD, to prevent development of any episodes of severe SOB and respiratory arrest.
- Do not take Valium along with alcohol, opioid pain medications, such as, hydrocodone and codeine, antipsychotic medications, antidepressant medications, anti-seizure medications, muscle relaxants, antihistamines, OTC cough syrups, and any other medications that carry a risk for depression of the central nervous system and the respiratory center, resulting in episodes of dizziness, confusion, difficulty breathing, and respiratory arrest. The individual influence of these medications on respirations and central nervous system can get added up, thus leading to severe respiratory depression, confusion, coma, and can even be fatal.
