Is Valium a Narcotic?

Diazepam, sold under the brand name Valium, is an effective treatment for insomnia, anxiety, and muscle spasms. But is Valium a narcotic? No.

Valium belongs to a category of drugs not included under the “narcotics” label. However, we have to define terms before diving into this distinction any further. What is Valium, how does it work, what are narcotics, and what’s the difference?

Questions abound, but answers follow. Read on to learn more about Valium’s classification, legal status, and more, as well as helpful resources if you are experiencing addiction or other issues.

A Crash Course On Valium: Usage, Side Effects, and More

Valium is a benzodiazepine. Benzodiazepines enhance the activity of a non-essential amino acid called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain[1]. Simply put, GABA’s key function is to promote muscle relaxation, sedation, and a sense of calm.

Benzodiazepines “hold the door open” for GABA by making GABA receptors (specifically, GABA-A) even more receptive to this chemical messenger, enhancing these effects.

Like many drugs and other substances, genetics can play a part in how effective benzodiazepines are from one person to the next. For example, people with certain variations affecting enzymes that process diazepam (such as the CYP2C19 enzyme) may report more or less potent effects.[2]

What Is Valium Used For?

Valium has both FDA-approved and “off-label” uses. The former refers to any applications explicitly confirmed by the FDA as safe, effective, and generally well-tolerated. Off-label uses are not approved by the FDA but are still carefully implemented by healthcare providers.

FDA-Approved Uses of Valium Include:[3]

• Anxiety disorder management
• Short-term anxiety symptom relief
• Spasticity related to brain disorders
• Complementary therapy for muscle spasms
• Preoperative anxiety management
• Some epilepsy cases
• Recurrent convulsive seizures.

Off-Label Uses of Valium Include:[4]

• Intensive care unit sedation
• Short-term treatment of spasticity for children with cerebral palsy
• Insomnia
• Tension headaches
• PTSD

Keep in mind that there are still several factors that may affect your eligibility for being prescribed Valium, whether or not the above conditions are present.

Does Valium Come With Side Effects?

Despite not being a narcotic, Valium comes with numerous potential side effects. Most of these side effects overlap heavily with those of other benzodiazepines.

According to the official FDA label for Valium, potential side effects of the drug can affect the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), the gastrointestinal system, vision, skin changes, and more.[5]

To be more specific, the FDA reports depression, headache, slurred speech, tremors, blurred vision, constipation, low blood pressure, libido changes, and salivation changes (dry mouth or excess saliva), among others, as possible side effects of Valium.

Understanding which factors increase your risk of experiencing these and other effects is key to safe usage. Pregnant or nursing mothers are strongly advised not to take Valium.[6] Valium’s interactions with other drugs, including opioids and alcohol, can compound adverse effects and/or decrease the effectiveness of either drug, in some cases.

Why Isn’t Valium Classified as a Narcotic?

First and foremost, “narcotic” is a bit of a hazy descriptor, so let’s shed some light on this category. The National Cancer Institute defines narcotic as “a substance used to treat moderate to severe pain,” adding, “Narcotics are like opiates such as morphine and codeine, but are not made from opium.”[7]

In other words, most opiates are narcotics, but narcotics can include other compounds as well. In either case, benzodiazepines like Valium are not included because they do not interact with the brain in the same way.

That said, there is definitely a potential for abuse and addiction associated with Valium. Comparing legal classifications between Valium and narcotics is a handy way to assess their respective risk levels.

How Valium and Narcotics Are Classified and Regulated

Under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act, the DEA categorizes various drugs and substances into five categories, or schedules. Schedule I substances have a high risk for abuse and little to no medical utility. Schedule V substances have a lower potential for abuse and verified medical applications.

Diazepam, the active ingredient in Valium, is a Schedule IV substance. Many narcotics, including oxycodone, are Schedule II substances.[8]

Blurred Lines: Valium’s Role In Narcotic Abuse

To be clear, Valium taken on its own, as prescribed, and with no other risk factors in play (combining with alcohol, history of substance abuse, taking high doses, etc.), is not highly likely to cause severe side effects or an overdose.

However, even though benzodiazepines like Valium are not narcotics, they are often pulled into the opioid epidemic, as opioid overdose statistics reveal. According to a report by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, roughly 14% of overdose deaths caused by opioids also involved benzodiazepine use.[9]

The report goes on to explain that benzodiazepines are routinely discovered within the illegal drug supply in some parts of the US. This is a telling indication that opioid abusers are frequently incorporating benzodiazepines into their usage.

This mixture is especially problematic because of the synergistic effects that can take hold when these two kinds of drugs are combined. Both benzodiazepines and opioids depress the central nervous system. When combined, overdose risk skyrockets, and severe symptoms like respiratory depression (slowed or stopped breathing) and death can result.[10]

How to Recognize and Respond to a Valium Overdose

One reason Valium is well-tolerated by patients and preferred by healthcare providers is its high therapeutic-to-toxic ratio.[11] In other words, it requires a much larger dose (not just a slightly larger dose) to cause an overdose than it does to have therapeutic effects. This large buffer zone is a crucial layer of protection that helps to prevent accidental overdose.

Still, the importance of taking Valium exactly as directed cannot be overstated. Even when taking this medication under medical supervision, take extra care to monitor and log your body’s response actively. Report side effects to your healthcare provider and be transparent about your usage.

How to Respond

In the event of a possible Valium overdose, your first course of action should be to call emergency medical services (911) immediately. While you or the person calling on your behalf is on the phone with them, they may ask you to take specific measures as you wait for them to arrive.

These steps often include monitoring the patient’s breathing and consciousness level, testing for disorientation, reporting any skin changes, and more. If opioids were involved in the overdose, naloxone (an antidote to opioids) may help, but this will not reduce the effects of benzodiazepines like Valium.

When medical staff arrive, be open and honest with them about everything you (or the other person) have taken. They are not there to charge you with a crime, but to ensure you receive the care you need to survive and recover.

Professional Detox and Rehab Services Are Here to Help

Whether due to a Valium dependence, opioids, or a combination, finding high-quality addiction treatment services is essential for achieving a sound recovery. Don’t let outdated stigmas about “rehab” turn you away from receiving the help you need. Compassionate and personalized recovery services are here to target not only the substance misuse, but the causes behind it.

You can also seek help from your primary care provider.

If you or someone you know is struggling with withdrawal symptoms, Valium addiction, associated mental health problems, or other related issues, know that help is available.