You should not normally be prescribed diazepam for more than four weeks. If you are taking diazepam to help you sleep, you should take it just before bedtime. Diazepam can be taken before or after food. Swallow tablets whole with a drink of water – if chewed, they taste bitter.

How fast does diazepam take to kick in?

1 When administered via injection, valium takes just one to five minutes to take effect. When taken orally, people usually begin to feel the effects 15 to 60 minutes after ingestion. Rectal gel may be used for those who are experiencing seizures and begins working quickly after administration.

How long do the effects of diazepam last?

The effects of Valium last around 4-6 hours; however it has a very long half life (20-70 hours - time taken to clear 50% of the drug from the body) which means that it may take up to six weeks to be totally excreted by the body.