Can Diazepam Cause Vomiting?
Yes, emesis, commonly known as vomiting, is a side effect of taking diazepam. This is not a common reaction, but it can occur in some individuals. Emesis may be more likely if you have overdosed on diazepam, but it is not a solution for removing the excess drug from your body. If you experience vomiting after taking diazepam, it is important to contact your healthcare provider.
What is Diazepam?
Diazepam, also known by the brand name Valium, is a medication that belongs to the class of drugs known as benzodiazepines. It is widely used to manage epilepsy, anxiety, depression, and alcohol withdrawal. It can also be used for neurological conditions affecting the central nervous system and spinal cord, such as muscle spasms [1, 2]. It is considered safe for short-term use when prescribed by a healthcare provider and has a quick onset of action, which can be beneficial, for example, in epilepsy prevention [1].
The drug reduces excitation in the brain by enhancing the effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that inhibits brain activity. This can consequently reduce anxiety, which is the overactivation of the limbic system, relax muscles by reducing their stimulation, and stop seizures, which are coherent but excessive patterns of neural activation [2].
Overdosing on diazepam has several adverse effects, including respiratory depression, blue/purple lips, lightheadedness, dizziness, exacerbated by standing up quickly, tiredness, weakness or sluggishness, or excess sweating [3]. Seek medical attention immediately if you have taken diazepam and experience a combination of these symptoms.
Caution
Diazepam is a prescription drug and you can build up a tolerance for it. This would mean you need higher doses to feel a positive effect. Do not take more than your prescribed dose, and consult your healthcare provider if you do not feel the benefits of taking diazepam.
Emesis: The Medical Term for Vomiting
Emesis, commonly known as vomiting, is a physiological response and an essential survival mechanism that allows the body to eliminate ingested toxins or poisons quickly [4]. Various stimuli can trigger this reflex, including direct neuronal connections from visceral afferent fibers, especially those from the gastrointestinal tract or humoral factors [4].
Emesis is closely linked to feeding, as food consumption can expose most internal organs to toxins, altered food, viruses, bacteria, or fungi. The relationship between visceral or vestibular stimuli and the anatomical structures of the brain-gut axis explains the modulation of the gastrointestinal response [5].
Vomiting can be a symptom of various disorders of brain-gut interaction, including chronic nausea and vomiting syndromes, and is commonly experienced during motion sickness or morning sickness in pregnancy [5].
Emesis: Is it a Side Effect Of Diazepam?
Emesis, or vomiting, is a common side effect of many medications, including diazepam. Diazepam is a benzodiazepine that is used to treat anxiety, alcohol withdrawal, and epilepsy. However, its sedative properties can also affect the gastrointestinal tract, leading to emesis and gastrointestinal upset in some patients.
The incidence of emesis after diazepam is variable, with some studies reporting rates as low as 3% and others as high as 91% [6]. The exact mechanism of diazepam-induced emesis is not fully understood. One hypothesis is that diazepam suppresses the activity of excitatory neurons, which could disinhibit the activation of the area postrema, a critical region for emesis in the hypothalamus. Hence one would be more likely to vomit after ingesting smaller amounts of food or become more sensitive to previously consumed foods. This hypothesis remains to be studied scientifically.
Whether you experience vomiting side effects can also depend on your age, gender, weight, and pre-existing health conditions. If you frequently feel nauseous or vomit after taking diazepam, it's important to bring this up with your healthcare provider. They can help determine the cause of the vomiting and suggest appropriate treatments or adjustments to your medication regimen.
Can Emesis Counteract Diazepam Overdose?
Emesis for diazepam overdose
Induced vomiting, or emesis, is not recommended as a primary treatment for diazepam overdose.
If you have overdosed on diazepam, the primary treatment uses oral administration of activated charcoal. Charcoal can absorb a lot of the drug in your stomach and prevent further absorption into the body [7]. In severe cases, a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist such as flumazenil may be used to pharmacologically counteract the effects of the benzodiazepine agonism by diazepam. However, it's important to note that flumazenil should be used cautiously, as it has its own risks [8].
The severity of poisoning following a benzodiazepine overdose is determined largely by co-ingestion of other central depressants. Ensure to inform the attending healthcare professional of all other medications or supplements you have taken [9].