damned_bulletin | [writing much neater and precise than Sheena's typical writing]

It's a sedative, which more or less sums it up. Note that it's a type that's difficult to overdose on.

Are you worried about someone on it, or are you thinking it should be administered to someone?

Are there other side effects? How much would it take to overdose?

They vary from person to person, but drowsiness and fatigue are most common. Confusion is also often seen (...at least, with what they give here). Less common is headache, vertigo, nausea, and depressed respiration.

It depends on patient weight and drug strength, but I think a lethal dose would be a bottle or more.

Drug strength - common/pill form

Patient - female, 5'8" - 5'9", approximately 130-140lbs

If the dose is not lethal but still very high, any possible lasting damage? How long does it take to leave a person's system?

If you mean a single overdose, I would be most concerned about her liver; over time, many of the organs--stomach, kidneys, etc.--could be adversely affected.

I'm not certain how long it takes to leave the body altogether, but the immediate effects can take up to 24 hours to fade.

[inkblot] I see. Thank you.

[added as if an afterthought] Any drastic differences if the patient is not human?

Unless she's an elf or a dwarf, unfortunately I wouldn't know.

I see. Thank you.

Valium is an old brand name for what's usually called Diazepam. It's going obsolete, and these days it's being supplanted by Pentazemin, which is another benzodiazepine - a designer one, modelled to have fewer addictive properties.

It can be used as a sedative, a muscle relaxant, or to treat panic attacks and anxiety. I've known a lot of men who take it to reduce nerves before a difficult mission, and lots of sharpshooters use it to relax themselves into 'the zone', as well as reduce hand tremors. Taking it before battle can even reduce the chance of traumatic memories, which can lead to PTSD and other problems, being formed. I also recall being told about someone who had been injected with hallucinogens during an interrogation session being given Valium after rescue, in order to keep them calm until the effect wore off, reducing the severity and intensity of the trip.

That said, it's known to have some unusual reactions with other drugs, so if you do find yourself needing to take it, it's best that you don't take it in combination with anything else, especially alcohol. And like all benzodiazepines, it's very addictive. Take it in moderation. If you do decide to start taking it regularly, don't suddenly stop taking it. Wean yourself off it instead.

That was very informative. Thank you. What are the effects of an overdose and how much would one need to take for the average OD?

If you're thinking of killing yourself with them, don't. If your life isn't worth living for yourself, it's your responsibility to do all you can to live for other people. At least you have had the opportunity to make the decision. Everything I a lot of people have decided was decided for them by someone else, politicians and players.

That said, it's your own decision. If you're considering a lethal overdose, still don't touch the valium. I was never taught about how high a lethal dose would be, but I'd assume it would be more than a gram, so that's several bottles of pills to take. In combination with other drugs, mostly opiates and other benzodiazepines, it can cause heart and respiratory arrest, but, like I said, the valium will slow you right down if you have enough of it, so you'll be less able to back out and get help when you realise how stupid you've been. If you want to kill yourself, there's better ways. I hear there's monsters around here that are good for that.

My advice to you is to take one pill with your food before the night and wait until your hands aren't shaking any more. Then go out there and do what you can to find a way out.

I have no intention of killing myself. I am simply concerned about the effects of this drug as I believe someone I know may have ingested a large quantity of this particular drug.

Again, thank you for your information.

That's good to know.

Whoever this person is, they'll be feeling drowsy and confused for a few days until their system metabolises the drug. So make sure they don't do anything involving fast reflexes, heavy machinery, or sharp knives.

I heard somewhere that Diazepam is bad for the kidneys, so you may want to make sure they go to the restroom regularly.

Sorry about misunderstanding.

It's ok. I can see how my questions may have lead to that conclusion. Hopefully, she'll just sleep it off.

Good luck, to both of you.

By the way, how did it happen? Where did she find the Diazepam?

Someone slipped it into her drink. How he got it, I don't know. Maybe the pharmacy.

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