About This Article
Zoom Testing has supplied drug testing kits and guidance in the UK for over 20 years. This article explains what diazepam is, its main risks and what a benzodiazepine drug screen can and cannot tell you.
Published: 26 April 2024 | Last Updated: 24 September 2026 | By Anthony Cunningham
Diazepam is a prescription medicine in the benzodiazepine group. It is used for anxiety, muscle spasms and seizures, as well as alcohol withdrawal in a supervised setting. It may also be given before some medical procedures. Valium is a brand name for diazepam. The medicine works by increasing the effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a chemical messenger that reduces activity in the nervous system.
Diazepam can cause drowsiness and reduced alertness. It also carries risks of dependence, withdrawal and overdose, particularly when combined with alcohol, opioids or other sedating drugs. Take it only as prescribed, and speak to your prescriber or pharmacist about other medicines you use. Do not stop regular diazepam treatment suddenly without medical advice.
Contents
- Uses and side effects
- Diazepam As a Drug of Abuse
- Diazepam and Sudden Death
- Does Diazepam Show up on Drug Tests?
- Buy Diazepam Drug Test Kits
Uses and Side Effects
Diazepam is available in several forms, including tablets, liquid and a rectal preparation used for some seizures. A clinician chooses the form, dose and duration according to the reason for treatment and the person’s circumstances. It is generally prescribed for a short period when used for anxiety or muscle spasms.
Common effects include sleepiness, tiredness and feeling less alert. Some people experience increased anxiety or depression. Rare but serious effects include slow or shallow breathing. Check the patient leaflet and seek medical advice if side effects concern you. Do not drive, cycle or use machinery if diazepam makes you drowsy.
Dependence can develop with regular use, including when diazepam is taken as prescribed. Stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms. Your prescriber should advise you how to reduce the dose safely if treatment is ending. The MHRA strengthened UK warnings about addiction, dependence, tolerance and withdrawal in 2026.
Do not drink alcohol while taking diazepam. Tell your prescriber if you take opioids, antidepressants, sedating antihistamines or other medicines. Benzodiazepines and opioids together can cause dangerous breathing problems; where both are medically necessary, the prescriber must assess and monitor the risk.
Diazepam As a Drug of Abuse
Diazepam may be misused by taking more than prescribed, taking it more often, or taking it without a prescription. A person can also develop dependence while following a prescription. These situations need support and medical advice, not assumptions about the person.
Combining diazepam with alcohol, opioids or other sedatives increases the risk of severe drowsiness, breathing problems, coma and death. If someone is unresponsive or breathing slowly, call 999 immediately. Tell emergency services what substances may have been taken.
Diazepam and Sudden Death
A 2021 report from Derry described police concern after several sudden deaths and warnings about tablets sold as diazepam. That report did not establish that a particular batch or diazepam alone caused those deaths. Tablets obtained outside a pharmacy may contain different substances from those claimed by the seller. A biological benzodiazepine screen cannot establish what is in an untested tablet.
Does Diazepam Show up on Drug Tests?
A urine test with a benzodiazepine (BZD) panel may detect diazepam or its metabolites, depending on the test, its cut-off, the dose and when the sample is collected. A result from a class-based screening kit does not by itself identify diazepam specifically. A negative result does not rule out use, and a preliminary positive result is not final proof of a particular medicine.
Urine and oral-fluid tests use different samples and have different detection characteristics. Check the exact panel and instructions before choosing a kit: a multi-panel test does not automatically include benzodiazepines. Detection times vary and cannot reliably establish dose, timing or current impairment.
In workplace or clinical settings, screening should follow an appropriate testing policy. Where a result could affect treatment, employment or a legal decision, arrange suitable laboratory confirmation and professional interpretation. Tell the relevant clinician or testing provider about prescribed medicines.
Buy Diazepam Drug Test Kits
Zoom Testing’s Benzodiazepines Drug Test (BZD) is a urine screening kit for the benzodiazepine group. Its product listing specifies a 300 ng/mL cut-off. It is a screening tool rather than a way to identify diazepam conclusively. If you need a multi-panel kit, check its current product specification for a BZD panel before buying.
Featured Product: Benzodiazepines Drug Test (BZD)
The benzodiazepine urine test screens for the drug group, with instructions and cut-off details on the product page. Confirm significant screening results through an appropriate laboratory.
For medicine advice, see the NHS diazepam guidance. You can also read Mind’s information about benzodiazepines.
About the Author
Anthony Cunningham, BA (Hons), MA, is a UK-based drug testing expert and editor with over 20 years’ experience running Zoom Testing, a trusted source for accurate drug testing kits and testing guidance. He creates clear, evidence-based articles using UK legislation, workplace compliance standards, and harm reduction best practices. Where possible, content is reviewed by testing specialists and compliance professionals to enhance accuracy and reliability, helping readers make informed testing decisions.
Drug Testing Disclaimer
This article is for general information only. Drug test cut-off levels, detection times and results can vary according to the test, specimen type and testing standard being used. A screening result should not be used on its own to make medical, legal or employment decisions. Where a test result has significant consequences, appropriate confirmation testing and professional advice should be considered.
