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I Was Prescribed 5 Mg Of Diazepam For Anxiety And

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Posted on Mon, 8 Oct 2018
Question: I was prescribed 5 mg of Diazepam for anxiety and started it tonight at 11:00. It didn't make me drowsy, and I have not been able to get to sleep. I am 72 years old. It is now 4:08 am. I also took 30 mg of Mirtazapine and 3 mg of Melatonin. I am very restless and am sure that I won't be able to sleep at all. What should I do? I can't reach my psychiatrist until 8:00 am. I also stopped taking Alprazolam and Quetiapine today per psychiatrist's instructions.
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Answered by Dr. Vaishalee Punj (6 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
This is an effect of diazepam

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Ask A Doctor service.

I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

Mostly diazepam induces sleep. Sometimes diazepam can cause sleeplessness, restlessness and this has happened with you. Its effect will wear away completely in more than 20 hours. But maybe able to get some sleep in 5-6 hours after taking the dose.
Since there is restlessness, you may try progressive muscle relaxation in which you can take your attention to different parts of body while taking 1-2 breaths on each part. Start from your feet upwards.
If this doesnot help then take just one dose of alprazolam atleast after 8 hours of diazepam.

Hope this helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Dr Vaishalee
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Vaishalee Punj

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 3275 Questions

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I Was Prescribed 5 Mg Of Diazepam For Anxiety And

Brief Answer: This is an effect of diazepam Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome to Ask A Doctor service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. Mostly diazepam induces sleep. Sometimes diazepam can cause sleeplessness, restlessness and this has happened with you. Its effect will wear away completely in more than 20 hours. But maybe able to get some sleep in 5-6 hours after taking the dose. Since there is restlessness, you may try progressive muscle relaxation in which you can take your attention to different parts of body while taking 1-2 breaths on each part. Start from your feet upwards. If this doesnot help then take just one dose of alprazolam atleast after 8 hours of diazepam. Hope this helps. Let me know if I can assist you further. Dr Vaishalee