SIDE EFFECTS OF VALIUM

According to research reported in the British Medical Journal (283:343), Valium (diazepam) may actually worsen the anxiety associated with shortness of breath due to emphysema (the permanent lung damage that may occur in smokers). Being a tranquilizer, Valium also relaxes muscles, an effect that robs emphysema victims of the strength they need in their continuous struggle for breath. Anything that relaxes muscles, and this includes sleeping pills and alcohol, should be avoided by those who are always short of breath.

Another side effect of Valium that has been encountered by men of all ages is breast enlargement of almost feminine proportions. In four out of five with this side effect, reported in the Lancet (2:1225), the breasts slowly decreased in size after Valium was discontinued. Not usually accompanied by impotence or any other gender-related problems, this breast enlargement was believed due to Valium-induced chemical changes in the tissues in which testosterone (male hormone) became converted into estradiol (a female hormone).

Since Valium is currently America’s most widely prescribed medication, and we have not heard about this before, the incidence must be quite low. Nevertheless, men needing a tranquilizer might wish to try something other than Valium.

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