“Very quickly, the doses had to increase.” New secrets from Céline Dion about her illness.
Achievement of stiff person syndromeCeline Dion said she took Valium® “among others” to relieve his symptoms and ensure his shows as long as possible, in an interview for TF1 broadcast on June 16, 2024. “Without having a diagnosis. At the beginning, it helped a little. But very quickly, the doses had to increase. When a person is at a very dangerous level of medication and it no longer works, we then have two choices: either continue or stop breathing.” In People magazine at the beginning of June, she explained that sher “started with two milligrams to see if that would help, then 2.5, then 3, then 15 and 50” without hiding that “it could have been fatal“. Symptoms of his illness stiffen his body “from head to toes” and her vocal cords preventing her from singing as she always could. “Everything stops working, it can last a few minutes but it can also last hours.”
What is Valium?
Valium®, the active substance of which is diazepam, is a medication used mainly for its anxiolytic and sedative action. It belongs to the benzodiazepine class.
“Diazepam acts on a neurotransmitter called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), which has the role of regulating neuronal activity and therefore calming the feeling of anxiety. GABA binds to neuron receptors, promoting the passage of relaxing molecules“, explains Arnaud Comaills, doctor of pharmacy. Before specifying that “if Diazepam has a relaxing action on the muscles, it is not prescribed in this context (in France, editor’s note). It is not a muscle relaxant, there is no indication for its use in muscle contractures. Other molecules are prescribed for this purpose (thiocolchicoside)”. In the same way, “it’s not a hypnotic, there is no reason to use it for insomnia. Other molecules are prescribed for this purpose (zolpidem, zopiclone)“. In France, the two indications authorized for the prescription of Valium® in adults are:
- symptomatic treatment of severe and/or disabling anxiety symptoms (anxiety attacks or epilepsy for example)
- prevention and treatment of delirium tremens (one of the consequences of alcohol withdrawal).
In children, as an oral drop, the medication can be prescribed to prevent febrile convulsions during fever.
Sold with or without a prescription?
Diazepam is available only on medical prescription.
Side effects, dangers: a drug that can make you addicted
Most adverse effects associated with diazepam are neuropsychiatric. They include drowsiness, difficulty concentrating, temporary memory loss, agitation, irritability, confusion, headache, dizziness and loss of sexual desire (low libido). This medicine may also cause eye problems (diplopia), muscle pain and skin rashes. The frequency and severity of these side effects vary depending on the dosage. As it belongs to the benzodiazepine family, Valium® can cause physical and psychological dependence at high doses or with prolonged use. For this reason, long-term treatment should not be stopped abruptly. Despite these precautions, there is a risk of developing a withdrawal syndrome which may manifest itself after stopping treatment with tremors, headaches, restlessness and insomnia.
What are the contraindications?
This medication is contraindicated in:
- people who have certain respiratory disorders (sleep apnea, severe respiratory insufficiency),
- in case of severe liver failure
- myasthenia gravis (neurological disease characterized by muscle damage)
- patients hypersensitive to benzodiazepines
- children under 6 years old.
The dosage must be adapted in certain populations: children, elderly people, adults suffering from depression or insufficiency (renal, hepatic, respiratory).
Seahere to Arnaud Comaills, Dr in pharmacy