What Causes Dizziness And Loss Of Balance While On Diazepam?

Posted on Sat, 30 Jul 2016

Question: I'm taking diazepam for middle-of the night insomnia. 5 mg. Mornings I start out groggy then feel fine.On it one week. Lately been intensely sleepy midafternoon, if I take a nap i feel lightheaded and off-balance when i wake up, no headache. Don't drink alcohol or other meds. Can this be effect of drug that late in the day? Especially scary when driving.

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.

Yes, diazepam's effects can be felt late into the day, and even sometimes the day following that. It has a very long half-life, much longer than 24 hours, meaning it stays in the system throughout the day and beyond. If you are having grogginess and fatigue in the middle of the day, you may want to switch to a shorter-acting medication for insomnia. Some examples include trazodone, Ambien, or lorazepam.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (15 hours later)

I don't have a problem falling asleep. I wake up between 1 and 2, and I'm typically awake for 2 - 3 hours. Makes getting up and functioning in the morning very difficult.
Before I went on medicare, I used Lunesta with acceptable results. But Medicare won't cover it. I have tried Ambien (bizarre behavior and speech before going to sleep, and I don't remember saying what I said),trazadone 50 mg,(nightmares and walked into the wall instead of through bathroom door in the middleof the night), sonata and Rosteril(just ineffective, still woke up in the middle of the night), trazodone (just extreme nightmares), and the worst one rozerem..nightmares, something like a panic attack during the night, walked into the wall, pins and needles sensation in my face that lasted until noon the next day. All this "experimentation" has been a Medicare requirement. Is there anything as gentle as Lunesta out there ? And I have such string reactions to these meds, should i be concerned about some underlying medical problem that makes me react like this?

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
I would suggest lorazepam instead of diazepam. It lasts about 8 hours instead of >24 hours like Valium. This would help you get through the night without being groggy the next day. No, you shouldn't be concerned about an underlying medical problem, as these side effects with these meds are common.

Please remember to rate and close this answer thread when you are finished and satisfied.

In the future, for continuity of care, I encourage you to contact me directly at my private link below. After you ask a direct question, it would be my pleasure to be your dedicated personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (tinyurl.com/psyrank). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, and individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: tinyurl.com/DrSheppeAnswers

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee