Diazepam
Common brand names:
Diastat, ValiumBenzodiazepines are a family of drugs used to treat insomnia, anxiety, panic attacks, muscle spasms, and seizure disorders.
Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, & Foods
-
Negative Interactions
2-
Potential Negative Interaction
Diazepam
Kava
Kava (Piper methysticum) is an herb used to treat anxiety disorder. One individual who took a benzodiazepine (alprazolam) and kava together, along with two other medications (cimetidine and terazosin) was hospitalized in a lethargic and disoriented condition.2 Further research is needed to determine whether the combination of kava and benzodiazepines produces an adverse interaction. However, individuals should not take benzodiazepines and kava together unless supervised by a doctor.
-
Potential Negative Interaction
Diazepam
St. John’s Wort
In a study of healthy volunteers, administration of St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) along with alprazolam decreased blood levels of alprazolam, compared with the levels when alprazolam was taken by itself.3 Individuals taking alprazolam should not take St. John's wort without supervision by a doctor.
-
-
Supportive Interactions
2-
Replenish Depleted Nutrients
Diazepam
Copper and Zinc
This interaction is based on this drug belonging to a drug class. While this drug may differ from the text and references below, drugs within this class work in a similar way and this interaction is applicable to drugs within the same class.
In various studies of children treated with valproic acid for epilepsy compared with control groups, serum zinc levels remained normal or decreased, serum copper levels remained normal or decreased, and red blood cell zinc levels were decreased. The importance of these changes and how frequently they occur remain unclear.
Copper and ZincDiazepam- Kaji M, Ito M, Okuno T, et al. Serum copper and zinc levels in epileptic children with valproate treatment. Epilepsia 1992;33:555-7.
- Lerman-Sagie T, Statter M, Szabo G, Lerman P. Effect of valproic acid therapy on zinc metabolism in children with primary epilepsy. Clin Neuropharmacol 1987;10:80-6.
- Sozuer DT, Barutcu UB, Karakoc Y, et al. The effects of antiepileptic drugs on serum zinc and copper levels in children. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 1995;6:265-9.
-
Support Medicine
Diazepam
Vinpocetine
In a preliminary trial, an extract of periwinkle called vinpocetine was shown to produce minor improvements in short-term memory among people taking flunitrazepam, a benzodiazepine. Further study is needed to determine if vinpocetine would be a helpful adjunct to use of benzodiazepines.
VinpocetineDiazepam- Bhatti JZ, Hindmarch I. Vinpocetine effects on cognitive impairments produced by flunitrazepam. Int Clin Psychopharmacol 1987;2:325-31.
-