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Benzodiazepines
Diazepam
Drug group - Benzodiazepines
Street name
Vallies, French blues, Wiltshire blues, Ardins
Brand name
Valium. (Roche), Tensium. (Norton)
Drug effect
Depressant (downer). Effects of drug last for up to 24 hours
Description
Tablets 2mg (white), 5mg (yellow), 10mg (blue) - scored and marked with tablet strength
Capsules (2mg)
Oral solution (2mg/5mL, 5mg/5mL); strong oral solution (5mg/5ne)
Injection (5mg/mL)
Rectal tubes and suppositories 2mg/mL, 10mg
Therapeutic use
Anxiety, acute alcohol and opiate withdrawal, insomnia
Street use
Swallowed and injected
Dependency
Yes
Withdrawal
Withdrawal symptoms begin up to 7 days after last dose. Symptoms include anxiety, restlessness, tremor, feelings of unreality, distortions of perceptions, and may last for many months. There is a risk of seizure following sudden withdrawal.
Long term use
Mental confusion
Memory loss
Depression
Unpredictable or aggressive behaviour
Loss of physical co-ordination
If injected - infection risk, circulatory problems
Overdose risk
Death from overdose is extremely rare, but risks increase if mixed with other drugs such as opiates, barbiturates or alcohol.
Legal status
Prescription Only Medicine
Class C, Schedule 4 Part I
Illegal to possess without a prescription and to supply to others.