Librium and Valium are the two branded medication drugs, which are used in treating anxiety in individuals. Anxiety is a problem that occurs due to hyperventilation, rapid heart rate, insomnia, diarrhea, etc. Let us see if we still discuss Librium vs Valium in both comparisons.
Librium and Valium are Benzodiazepine drugs that are prescribed in the United States of America. People who suffer from light sedation and alcohol withdrawal can take these medicines for the treatment of these health conditions.
Now, I am going to describe the comparison between Librium and Valium drugs i.e. ‘Librium vs Valium’ in this blog.
Comparison Between Librium and Valium Medicines
Librium and Valium medication drugs can be compared in 8 different ways. These are the following:
Description
The descriptions of both these medication drugs are different. Read the following descriptions of Librium and Valium drugs:
Librium drug
Librium is a branded medication drug, which treats moderate or severe anxiety in individuals. It contains an active ingredient called Chlordiazepoxide Hydrochloride. This medication drug can be taken with or without food.
The function of this medication is to increase the level of Gamma Amino-Butyric Acid (GABA) in an individual’s body. It acts as a Benzodiazepine drug in the Central Nervous System (CNS). The inactive ingredients of this drug are lactose monohydrate, potassium sorbate, D&C yellow no. 10, corn starch, etc.
Valium drug
Valium drug is used by people when they are suffering from anxiety disorder. The active ingredient of this branded medication drug is Diazepam. This medication drug works by calming the brain and nerves in individuals. It also contains some inactive ingredients such as calcium stearate, anhydrous lactose, pregelatinized starch, FD & C Yellow No. 6, and so on. It is also useful in treating back pain, epilepsy, hyperekplexia, etc., in people.
FDA approval
Librium drug was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the year 1960, whereas the FDA approved Valium drug in the year 1963.
Dosages
Both Librium and Valium drugs have different dosage strengths and forms. Read the following dosage forms and strengths of these medication drugs:
Librium drug
Librium drug consists of different dosages, which are used in treating the symptoms of anxiety. This medicine is available in the form of an oral capsule only.
The dosage strengths of this medicine are 10 mg, 25 mg, and 5 mg.
Adults when suffering from anxiety can take the dosage strength of 5 mg thrice or four times a day, which is the starting recommended dose of this medicine. They should not take more than 25 mg in one day.
Older adults and children above 6 years of age are suggested to take 5 mg two or four times in 24 hours.
Valium drug
Different dosages of Valium drugs are used in treating anxiety in people. The forms of this drug are oral tablet, oral solution, and injectable solution.
The dosage strengths of oral tablets are 5 mg, 10 mg, and 2 mg, oral solution are 1mg/ml and 5 mg/ml and injectable solution is 5 mg/ml.
Adults when suffering from anxiety can take 2 mg or 10 mg oral tablets 2 or 4 times a day. The starting dose of 2 mg or 2.5 mg can be taken by older adults 1 or 2 times in 24 hours. Children above 6 years of age can take 1 mg or 2.5 mg oral tablets or solutions 3 or 4 times in one day.
Half-life
The half-life of Valium drug is 70 hours, whereas Librium medicine has a half-life of 25 hours in an individual’s body.
Color and shape
Both medication drugs have different colors and shapes. Read the following:
Librium drug
The colors of Librium drug are green, white, black, and yellow. It is rounded in an oblong shape.
Valium drug
Valium drug is yellow, white, and blue. The shape of this medication drug is rounded shape.
Potency
Both medication drugs have a low potential in treating anxiety in individuals. They are classified as Schedule IV drugs.
Drug Interactions
The drug interactions of both these medication drugs are different. Read the following drug interactions of Librium and Valium drugs:
Librium drug
The Librium drug interacts with 441 medicinal drugs. Some of them are Bendroflumethiazide, Chlorzoxazone, Desipramine, Disulfiram, Metoclopramide, Moexipiril, Methotrimeprazine, Oxcarbazepine etc.
Valium drug
523 medicinal drugs interact with Valium drug, which includes Mirtazapine, Secobarbital, Risperidone, Quetiapine, Phenoxybenzamine, Lofexidine, Metoclopramide, and so on.
Side Effects
When an individual takes more than one tablet of Librium or Valium drug or when any of these medication drugs are used by a person. Read the following side effects of both these medication drugs:
Librium drug
The side effects of the Librium drug are as follows:
- Lower back pain
- Yellow eyes or skin (Jaundice)
- Sore throat
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Hoarseness
- Sleeping problem (Insomnia)
- Dizziness, light-headedness or fainting
- Stomach pain
- Seizures (convulsions)
- Behavioral or mood change
- Chills
- Sweating
- Paranoia
- Skin rashes, itching, hives, or welts
- Hoarseness
- Fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Blistering or peeling in skin
- Bad or unpleasant taste
- Euphoria
- Chest pain or tightness in the chest
- Drooling
- Irritability
Valium drug
Valium drug causes side effects in people. These are as follows:
- Constipation
- Trouble in thinking and speaking
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Hyperexcitability
- Nightmares
- Blurred vision
- Dryness in mouth or skin
- Swallowing problem
- Hallucinations
- Tiredness or weakness in muscle
- Fever
- Cough
- Agitation (severe anxiety)
- Shivering
- Reduced appetite
- Upset stomach (Indigestion)
- Sexual problem
- Ataxia
- Epileptic attacks
- Dysphoria
- Abdominal pain
Precautions
- The effect of Librium or Valium medicine will get delayed due to grapefruit juice. Hence, an individual should not drink this juice after taking any of these medication drugs.
- Women should not take any of these medication drugs during pregnancy and breastfeeding as it can be harmful to their unborn babies.
- A person should not drive a car or perform any other tasks, which require hard work and attentiveness after taking Librium or Valium drug. These medication drugs can cause dizziness which can be dangerous for an individual.
- An individual should not stop taking any of these medicines without consulting a doctor.
- It is important for a person to call the doctor immediately when suffering from stomach pain, paranoia, sweating, etc., after taking Librium or Valium drug.
- Avoid drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes after taking any of these medicines since they cause dizziness or drowsiness, which can be harmful to a person.
