Valium (diazepam) is one of the most popular and trusted benzodiazepines on the market. It can be used to treat anxiety, insomnia, muscle spasms, alcohol withdrawal, and panic attacks among other things. Valium can also be used as a muscle relaxant or to control seizures. This powerful pill can treat more than a dozen different health conditions and should only be taken as prescribed by your doctor to avoid side effects such as drowsiness or respiratory depression.

Take only as directed

Like many other drugs, your body can build up a tolerance to valium; it’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions and take only as much as they say. They might not seem like anything serious at first, but if you continue to take higher doses or combine valium with other drugs, you could be putting yourself in danger. Most importantly, even when prescribed by doctors, valium is a powerful drug that should never be taken lightly.

Use Valium pills to help with stress

If you suffer from stress or anxiety, then there’s a good chance that you also have problems with sleep. After all, it’s hard to get quality rest when your mind is racing at all hours of the night and day. Unfortunately, many people turn to prescription medications when they can’t sleep—but over-the-counter medication like valium is just as effective (and potentially less risky) than those prescriptions.

Treat insomnia

If you have trouble sleeping at night, taking a pill may be just what you need to knock yourself out. If your sleep is disrupted by anxiety or stress, valium can calm you down and help your body relax. Valium also works quickly and will take effect within 15 minutes; if necessary, it can last up to 8 hours. Those who are struggling with insomnia often find that a small dose before bed helps them fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer than they were before they started taking valium pills.

Manage pain

If you have chronic pain and are struggling to manage it, there are a variety of prescription medications that can provide relief. Some work better than others; if you try one or two and they don’t help, be sure to discuss your options with your doctor. Among these medicines is a class called benzodiazepines, which includes Valium (diazepam). This drug works by enhancing GABA function—the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in our brains.

Use in combination with other medications

Before taking any new prescription drug, ask your doctor if it’s safe to take in combination with any other medications you may be taking. While most physicians won’t know offhand how all other medications interact with a new prescription, it is important to make sure all of your prescriptions don’t interact in a way that may cause unwanted side effects or health risks.