How Long Does Valium Last?

It is for good reason that Valium is known as a ‘long-acting benzo.’ Its effects can last rather long, sometimes beyond 12 hours. In this post, Avenues Recovery, leading addiction rehabilitation specialists, explain what Valium is, how long Valium lasts in your system, and the Valium half-life.

What Is Valium?

Valium, also known as diazepam, belongs to a class of drugs called Benzodiazepine (Benzos). Prescribed Valium is commonly used to manage conditions such as:

• Anxiety disorders
• Muscle spasms or stiffness
• Seizures
• Alcohol withdrawal symptoms
• Insomnia
• Restless leg syndrome

Valium is also administered to patients as a sedative prior to surgeries. Regular doses range from 2-10 mg, depending on the condition being treated.

Valium was first introduced in 1963 and quickly became one of the most prescribed medications in the United States. Valium works by enhancing the effects of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that decreases brain activity. Valium's effects include calming, sedative, and anxiolytic properties, which help reduce anxiety, relax muscles, and promote sleep.

Valium is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance, which means that it has high potential of misuse and addiction to Valium. Despite its medical benefits, Valium carries significant risks such as dependence, addiction, and withdrawal complications. Even when Valium is taken via prescription, it’s possible to become addicted, especially if it’s taken for a long period of time. This is why doctors usually prescribe the drug for no longer than 4 months at a time.

How Is Valium Metabolized?

Valium breaks down into substances known as metabolites, such as:

• Desmethyldiazepam - which has a half-life of 30-100 hours
• Temazepam - which has a half-life of 5-20 hours
• Oxazepam - which has a half-life of 3-21 hours

Whenever Valium is metabolized, it produces several active metabolites that have long half-lives. Therefore, one may experience the drug’s effects for about 4-6 hours after ingestion, although the drug remains in the system for much longer than that. The effects of Valium peak about 1-2 hours after ingestion.

What Is the Valium Half-Life?

The half-life of Valium ranges from 20 to 50 hours in healthy adults, and is thought to be 48 hours on average.

Valium's half life can vary depending on individual factors such as age and health conditions. It may last longer in older patients due to their weaker metabolism, as opposed to children, in whom the half-life of Valium is only about 18 hours. A drug’s half life is the time it takes for half of the medication to be metabolized or eliminated from the body. In general, it takes about five drug half lives for a drug to be fully eliminated from the body. Valium’s half life is significant because its long duration means the drug and its metabolites can remain active and detectable for an extended period.

How Long Does Valium Stay in Your System?

Valium stays in your system for about 10 days. However, the detection window for Valium in biological samples depends on when the last dose was taken. This is important to be aware of, especially if one wants to know when another dose of Valium or other medication can be taken. As mentioned, Valium has breakdown substances which can linger for much longer—around 100 hours.

Valium dependence and physical dependence can develop with prolonged use, even at prescribed doses. After the half-life and elimination period, it's important to note that Valium carries the risk of dependence and withdrawal, and stopping suddenly can pose withdrawal risks. While Valium's effects may subside within hours, the drug and its metabolites can be detected in the body for much longer.

How Long Does Valium Stay In Different Parts of Your System?

Valium lasts for different amounts of time in one’s urine, hair, blood, and saliva. Below are different substances in which Valium can be detected, and for how long:

How Long Does Valium Stay in Your Urine?

Valium can be found in the urine for up to a week since the last dosage. Valium’s metabolites can be found for up to 6 weeks. A urine test is the most common way of detecting Valium in the body.

How Long Does Valium Stay in Your Hair?

A 1.5-inch hair sample can determine whether or not Valium was taken in the last 90 days.

How Long Does Valium Stay in Your Blood?

A blood test can detect Valium in the blood for 48 hours after last use. Blood tests are often reserved for forensic or confirmatory purposes due to their short detection window.

How Long Does Valium Stay in Saliva?

A saliva test can show traces of Valium for up to 10 days. Saliva testing is an effective alternative to urine tests, though there can be challenges with sample collection.

These are all general estimates, since the length of time a drug remains in a person’s body depends on several factors.

Factors Affecting How Long Valium Stays in the Body

How long does diazepam last? Different factors can affect the answer. The length of time Valium stays in your system can vary widely from person to person, influenced by a range of individual and lifestyle factors:

Age

Age is a significant factor—older adults often experience a longer Valium half-life due to reduced liver function and slower metabolism, which can extend the detection window in drug tests and increase the risk of lingering withdrawal symptoms.

Weight

Body weight and composition also play a role; individuals with higher body fat may find that Valium and its metabolites remain detectable in urine tests for a longer period, as the drug is stored in fatty tissues.

Liver Function

Liver function is crucial in determining how quickly Valium is metabolized and eliminated. Impaired liver function can slow down this process, causing Valium to stay in your system longer and potentially intensifying Valium withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication. 

Mixing Drugs

The presence of other substances, especially central nervous system depressants like alcohol or other benzodiazepines, can further complicate Valium metabolism. These combinations not only increase the risk of Valium abuse and dangerous side effects but can also prolong the drug’s effects and make withdrawal more challenging.

When interpreting the results of a drug test or planning for Valium withdrawal, it’s important to consider these factors. Each person’s experience with Valium—how long it stays in the body, how severe withdrawal symptoms may be, and how the drug interacts with other substances—can be unique. This is why medical supervision and individualized care are essential for anyone undergoing Valium withdrawal or being monitored for Valium use.

How Long do the Effects of Valium Last?

Many people wonder, ‘how long does diazepam last?’ but there is no single answer. Instead, the answer will vary according to the individual. There are several factors that affect how long Valium stays in the body. These are:

Liver and Kidney Function

Since the liver plays the biggest role in eliminating the drug from the system, if there is any sort of liver malfunction, it’ll take longer for the Valium to leave the body.

Age

Generally, older people will have weaker metabolism. Also, various health conditions or use of other medications are more likely to pop up, and these reduce the elimination time. However, diazepam will also stay longer in the system of infants.

Body Fat Content

Studies have shown that diazepam has a longer half-life in obese patients. In larger people, the drug will be distributed farther and remain in the system longer than a smaller person.

Metabolism

The higher someone’s metabolic rate, the sooner the drug will be excreted from the body.

Administration

If the drug has been taken for a long amount of time, diazepam and its metabolites will accumulate in the body, resulting in a longer excretion process.

Dose and Frequency

The higher and more frequent the dosage ingested, the longer it will take for the drug to be metabolized and eliminated, as this leads to accumulation in the body.

Method of Administration

How Valium is taken affects how long it’ll last. Valium’s metabolic process is faster when injected than when taken orally, although dosage still plays into the equation.

Co-ingestion of Other Drugs

Taking other drugs together with Valium affects how long it stays in the system. Drug interactions can significantly alter how long Valium remains in the body and may impact its safety and effectiveness.

How Long Does Valium Take to Kick In?

The way Valium is taken affects how long it'll take for the effects to kick in; Valium can be taken orally, intravenously, or rectally.

• When taken orally on an empty stomach, Valium can take 15-60 minutes to take effect, whereas on a full stomach it could take up to 5 hours. For example, if the patient ate a fatty meal before swallowing the Valium tablet, absorption of the drug will be reduced, so it'll take longer for it to take effect.
• Diazepam rectal gel reaches peak plasma concentrations in 1.5 hours.
• When taken via injection, one will feel the effects of the drug after 1-5 minutes.

Active Metabolites and Valium Detection

When Valium is processed by the body, it doesn’t simply disappear after its calming effects wear off. Instead, it is broken down by the liver into several active metabolites—such as nordiazepam, temazepam, and oxazepam—that continue to circulate in your system long after the last dose. 

These active metabolites have their own extended half lives, sometimes lasting up to several days, which means that Valium’s presence can be detected in drug tests well beyond the initial period of use.

This extended detection window is especially important for anyone facing drug tests, whether for employment, legal, or medical reasons. Because these metabolites linger, urine tests can often detect Valium and its breakdown products for over a week, and sometimes even longer depending on individual metabolism and the sensitivity of the test. Blood tests, while having a shorter detection window, can still reveal recent Valium use due to the persistence of these metabolites. Saliva and hair tests also rely on the presence of these substances, with hair follicle testing capable of detecting Valium use for months after the last dose.

For those struggling with Valium addiction or preparing for Valium withdrawal, understanding the role of active metabolites is crucial. The prolonged presence of these substances can contribute to ongoing withdrawal symptoms and make the detox process more challenging. This is why medical supervision is so important during withdrawal, as a clinical pharmacy specialist can help manage symptoms, monitor for drug interactions, and provide therapeutic drug monitoring to ensure safety.

Mental health resources and support groups are also invaluable during this time, offering psychological support and guidance as you navigate the complexities of Valium dependence and recovery. By being aware of how active metabolites affect both drug tests and the withdrawal process, individuals can make more informed decisions about their treatment options and work closely with healthcare providers to achieve lasting recovery.

Interactions With Other Substances

Valium’s effects and how long it stays in your system can be significantly influenced by interactions with other substances. Combining Valium with other central nervous system depressants—such as alcohol, opioids, or other benzodiazepines—can dramatically increase the risk of respiratory depression, overdose, and even death. These substances amplify each other’s sedative effects, making Valium abuse particularly dangerous and complicating the management of withdrawal symptoms.

Certain prescription and over-the-counter medications can also impact how the liver metabolizes Valium. For example, drugs like cimetidine or fluoxetine can inhibit liver enzymes, slowing Valium elimination and leading to higher levels of the drug in your system. This can prolong Valium’s effects, increase the risk of side effects, and extend the detection window in drug tests. Conversely, medications such as rifampicin can speed up liver metabolism, reducing Valium’s effectiveness and shortening its duration in the body.

Because of these potential interactions, therapeutic drug monitoring is essential for anyone taking Valium, especially if they are also using other medications or substances. Open communication with your healthcare provider about all drugs and supplements you are taking is critical to avoid dangerous interactions, prevent Valium overdose, and ensure safe, effective treatment. Valium’s interactions with other substances highlight the importance of medical supervision and careful management, particularly for those with a history of substance abuse or complex medical needs.

Treatment for Valium Abuse

Below are some questions to ask yourself to determine whether or not you’re addicted to Valium and if treatment is necessary. Stopping Valium suddenly can lead to benzodiazepine withdrawal, which may include severe withdrawal symptoms such as seizures and mental changes. Attempting to stop Valium abruptly without medical supervision can lead to life-threatening seizures. Withdrawal symptoms may include anxiety, nausea, seizures, and insomnia.

Have you been:

• Taking Valium in higher dosages or frequencies than intended?
• Craving the drug?
• Experiencing tough withdrawal symptoms when trying to cut back or quit? These may be common benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms, and medical supervision is important due to withdrawal risks.
• Trying to reduce your Valium intake with no success?
• Having difficulties fulfilling your obligations at home, school, or at work?
• Continuing to take Valium despite its negative/dangerous repercussions being obvious to you?
• Needing higher doses of Valium to get the same effect as the previous dose?

If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, you may be struggling with Valium abuse. Getting the right help can assist you with getting your life back on track.

Get Help for Valium Abuse at Avenues Recovery

Treatment programs for Valium addiction at Avenues Recovery Center include various treatment options to support individuals with Valium dependence, such as:

• Medical detox: We will help you rid your system of Valium in a safe and calm environment with 24/7 medical care and guidance.
• Behavioral therapy: Support groups or one-to-one therapy will teach coping skills to be able to deal with life’s challenges without turning to Valium. CBT and Contingency Management are popular choices. Treatment options may include both inpatient and outpatient care, depending on your needs.

Medications that help manage Valium withdrawal symptoms and cravings include:

• Antidepressants - these can help treat anxiety and depression - 2 common withdrawal symptoms of Valium.
• Anticonvulsants - these help manage seizures that may occur during withdrawal.
• Benzodiazepine agonists - these medications help reduce cravings.

Recovery is challenging, yet possible. If you’re wondering how long Valium lasts, it may be a sign that you need help. Getting the right help to quit taking Valium and to manage withdrawal symptoms is the brave first step toward a successful recovery. 

At Avenues Recovery, we will provide you with a supportive and relaxing environment, replete with expert doctors and therapists that offer unsurpassed support and guidance. Our highly professional team has a wealth of experience in treating addiction, and they will stop at nothing to give you the help you deserve. Remember, addiction to Valium can be lethal if left untreated. Reach out to us today to begin your journey towards a happier, healthier, and addiction-free future.

FAQs About How Long Valium Lasts

How long is Valium detectable in a drug test?

Valium can be detected in:

• Urine: up to 4–6 weeks
  

• Blood: up to 48 hours
  

• Saliva: up to 10 days
  

• Hair: up to 90 days

Can anything speed up the elimination of Valium?

Not significantly. Staying hydrated, maintaining a healthy metabolism, and avoiding alcohol or other drugs may help your body process it more efficiently, but you cannot drastically speed up elimination.

Why does Valium stay in the body longer than other drugs?

Valium is a long-acting benzodiazepine with active metabolites that also have long half-lives. This means it breaks down slowly and its effects—and detectability—last longer than shorter-acting benzos.