Does valium help with pain
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
The Efficacy of Valium (Diazepam) in Pain Management
Introduction to Valium and Pain Relief
Valium, also known as diazepam, is a benzodiazepine commonly used for its anxiolytic, muscle relaxant, and sedative properties. Its role in pain management, however, is a subject of ongoing research and debate. This article synthesizes findings from multiple studies to evaluate whether Valium is effective in alleviating pain.
Valium and Injection Pain
Pain Reduction with Different Formulations
A study comparing two formulations of diazepam—Valium and Diazemuls—found that Diazemuls, a lipid emulsion, significantly reduced the incidence of local pain at the time of injection compared to Valium (P < 0.001) . Another study confirmed that pain on injection was frequent with Valium (37%) but not with Diazemuls . These findings suggest that while Valium in its traditional form may cause injection pain, alternative formulations like Diazemuls can mitigate this issue.
Ineffectiveness of Analgesic Pretreatment
Research investigating the use of intravenous aspirin and fentanyl to prevent pain caused by Valium injections found that neither analgesic drug was effective in reducing injection pain . This indicates that Valium's injection pain may not be easily alleviated by common analgesics.
Valium in Procedural Pain Management
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Valium
In a study involving children undergoing painful medical procedures, Valium was found to be less effective than cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in reducing distress and pain. The combination of CBT and Valium did not enhance the efficacy of CBT alone . This suggests that while Valium may help reduce behavioral distress before procedures, it is not particularly effective in managing procedural pain.
Valium for Chronic Pain Conditions
Rheumatoid Arthritis
A review of muscle relaxants, including diazepam, for pain management in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients found no significant benefit in pain reduction over short-term use (24 hours to 2 weeks). Additionally, the use of diazepam was associated with significant adverse events such as dizziness and drowsiness . This indicates that Valium may not be a beneficial option for chronic pain management in RA patients.
Dental Procedures
In a study assessing the anxiolytic and analgesic effects of orally administered diazepam, it was found that diazepam increased the pain threshold and reduced autonomic nervous system activity in volunteers undergoing dental procedures . This suggests that Valium can be useful in reducing pain and anxiety in specific medical contexts.
Conclusion
The effectiveness of Valium in pain management varies depending on the context. While alternative formulations like Diazemuls can reduce injection pain, traditional Valium is less effective in procedural and chronic pain management. Additionally, its use is often accompanied by significant side effects. Therefore, Valium may be more suitable for its anxiolytic properties rather than as a primary analgesic. Further research is needed to explore its potential benefits and limitations in various pain management scenarios.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic