Valtoco (diazepam) is a prescription drug used to treat short-term seizure clusters. Valtoco can cause side effects that range from mild to serious. Examples include drowsiness and headache.

Specifically, Valtoco is used for short-term treatment of seizure clusters in adults and children ages 6 years and older. These are typically seizures that occur in groups (or clusters) over a number of hours. Seizure clusters are unpredictable and different from the usual seizure pattern.

The active ingredient in Valtoco is diazepam. Valtoco comes as a solution inside a nasal spray device. You or your caregiver will spray the solution into your nose.

Keep reading to learn about common, mild, and serious side effects that Valtoco can cause. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.

Valtoco has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Side effects explained” section.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their Valtoco treatment. Examples of the drug’s commonly reported side effects include:

  • drowsiness or sleepiness
  • headache
  • nose discomfort

Mild side effects have been reported with Valtoco. These include:

  • changes in sense of taste
  • drowsiness or sleepiness
  • headache
  • nosebleed
  • diarrhea
  • dizziness
  • lack of muscle coordination
  • nose discomfort
  • skin rash

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have symptoms that are ongoing or bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop Valtoco treatment unless your doctor recommends it.

Valtoco may cause mild side effects other than those listed above. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

Serious side effects have been reported with Valtoco. These include:

If you develop serious side effects while taking Valtoco, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section.

Note:After the FDA approves a drug, it tracks and reviews the side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Valtoco, visit MedWatch.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Valtoco can cause an allergic reaction.

But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.

In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue Valtoco treatment.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Valtoco, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Learn more about some of the side effects Valtoco may cause.

Risk of serious harm if used with opioids

There is a boxed warning for the risk of serious harm if Valtoco is used with opioids. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. It lets doctors and patients know about a drug’s effects that may be dangerous.

Using Valtoco with opioids, such as oxycodone (Roxicodone, Oxycontin, and others), can lead to respiratory depression, coma, and in some cases death. Studies have also shown that taking opioids with benzodiazepines, including Valtoco, can increase the risk of drug-related death compared with using opioids alone.

What might help

Talk with your doctor about all the medications you take. They can help determine if Valtoco is safe for you.

Risk of misuse and addiction

Valtoco has a boxed warning about the risk of misuse and addiction.

Misuse of a drug means using it in a different way than how it was prescribed. With drug addiction, a person keeps taking a drug even though it may be harming them. You can develop an addiction even if you use Valtoco as prescribed.

Serious side effects that may occur with misuse and addiction include:

They can also lead to overdose, coma, and in some cases death.

What might help

Talk with your doctor about your medical history and the medications you take, including over-the-counter medications and supplements. If you have a history of substance use disorder, including alcohol use disorder, your doctor may recommend a different treatment option for you.

To lower your risk of serious side effects, use Valtoco exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Don’t share your Valtoco with other people. If you experience any of the above side effects during your Valtoco treatment, seek emergency medical attention immediately.

Risk of dependence and withdrawal

Valtoco has a boxed warning about the risk of dependence and withdrawal.

Using Valtoco, even as prescribed, can lead to physical dependence and withdrawal if you stop taking the drug suddenly. (Withdrawal symptoms can occur when a person suddenly stops taking a drug their body is dependent on. Dependence refers to the body needing a drug to function as usual.)

Withdrawal symptoms can be mild or severe. In rare cases, they can be life threatening. These symptoms can last for several weeks to more than 12 months. Examples of withdrawal symptoms include:

  • unusual movements, responses, or expression
  • seizures
  • depression
  • seeing or hearing things that others do not see or hear
  • extreme increase in activity or talking
  • losing touch with reality
  • suicidal thoughts or behaviors

What might help

Valtoco is prescribed as a short-term treatment for seizure clusters. It is important to use Valtoco as prescribed by your doctor. This may help reduce your risk of dependence and withdrawal.

Do not stop using Valtoco without talking with your doctor first. They may lower your dosage slowly over time to help reduce your risk of withdrawal symptoms after you stop treatment.

If you experience any of the above symptoms after you’ve stopped using Valtoco, seek emergency medical attention immediately.

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you are not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Below is important information you should consider before taking Valtoco.

Boxed warnings

Valtoco has boxed warnings. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see the “Side effects explained” section.

Warnings

Valtoco can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Valtoco is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Valtoco. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

  • breathing problems, including asthma
  • eye problems, including glaucoma
  • mental health conditions, including suicidal thoughts or behaviors
  • history of alcohol or substance use disorder
  • liver or kidney problems
  • previous allergic reaction to Valtoco
  • pregnancy
  • breastfeeding
  • alcohol consumption
Keeping track of side effects

During your Valtoco treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking a new drug or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how your symptoms affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Sharing notes with your doctor will help them learn more about how Valtoco affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.