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What Should Be Done On Accidental Ingestion Of Diazepam?
Question: I took someone else's medication by mistake! About 20 mgs. of diazepam. Can I induce vomiting and how? I am a recovering alcoholic so I am very concerned about how it will impair me. I don't have to go anywhere or do anything for about 6 hours. Will I be okay to drive by then? I am also on 20 mgs. daily of citalopram. Thanks!
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Brief Answer:
induce vomiting as mentioned below, do not drive for at least 24 hours
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
As you were taking alcohol , you are not going to suffer any serious side effects. Diazepam is benzodizepine and it acts in the brain on same receptors where alcohol acts. So you will not feel any Major impairment.
20 mg can cause severe sedation.So better to vomit it out.You can induce vomiting by touching your pharynx(deep posterior part of mouth) wall in between tonsils with clean index finger.You can also drink one glass of water mixed with 3 teaspoonful salt which can cause stomach irritation and vomiting. Or else just consult any doctor who can do gastric lavage with ryle's tube to empty the content of stomach.
As we can not judge how much drug has absorbed and how much sedation will be there, to be on safer side please do not drive for 24 hours.After that if you feel alert, you can drive.
Hope I have answered your query.I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
induce vomiting as mentioned below, do not drive for at least 24 hours
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
As you were taking alcohol , you are not going to suffer any serious side effects. Diazepam is benzodizepine and it acts in the brain on same receptors where alcohol acts. So you will not feel any Major impairment.
20 mg can cause severe sedation.So better to vomit it out.You can induce vomiting by touching your pharynx(deep posterior part of mouth) wall in between tonsils with clean index finger.You can also drink one glass of water mixed with 3 teaspoonful salt which can cause stomach irritation and vomiting. Or else just consult any doctor who can do gastric lavage with ryle's tube to empty the content of stomach.
As we can not judge how much drug has absorbed and how much sedation will be there, to be on safer side please do not drive for 24 hours.After that if you feel alert, you can drive.
Hope I have answered your query.I will be happy to help further.
Regards,
Dr.Chintan Solanki.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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