Diazepam Vaginal Suppository

Diazepam is a benzodiazepine medication that enhances the effects of GABA — the body's main inhibitory neurotransmitter. GABA reduces nerve excitability and has sedating, anti-anxiety, and muscle-relaxant properties.

When formulated as a vaginal suppository, diazepam delivers its muscle-relaxing effects directly to the pelvic floor muscles where they are most needed.

Diazepam suppositories are used in prescriber-led plans for chronic pelvic pain associated with high-tone pelvic floor dysfunction, also known as:

• Hypertonic pelvic floor dysfunction
• Non-relaxing pelvic floor dysfunction
• Pelvic muscle spasms

In this context, "high tone" refers to muscles that are in a constant state of contraction — rigid and unable to relax. This causes chronic pain and discomfort, and can result in sexual pain. Prescribers may also discuss this option within broader care plans for conditions where pelvic floor spasm is a component, such as vaginismus or endometriosis-related muscle pain.

A 2010 study by Rogalski et al. found that vaginal diazepam suppositories gave a clinically significant improvement when added to standard treatments (pelvic physical therapy and trigger point injections).

Potential side effects include:

• Drowsiness
• Local vaginal irritation
• Dizziness or headache
• Lack of coordination
• Problems falling or staying asleep

Report any side effects to your pharmacist or prescriber.

Use exactly as directed on the prescription label. Diazepam vaginal suppositories are usually inserted vaginally, often at bedtime when prescribed that way.

• Wash hands before and after use
• Insert the suppository as directed by the label or care team
• Because diazepam can cause drowsiness or impaired coordination, avoid driving, alcohol, cannabis, or other sedating medications unless your prescriber has reviewed the plan
• Call the pharmacy or prescriber if sedation, dizziness, worsening pain, irritation, or unusual symptoms occur

Diazepam is the medication in Valium, but there is no commercially manufactured vaginal diazepam product in Canada — when a prescriber wants the muscle-relaxant effect delivered locally to the pelvic floor, a compounding pharmacy prepares the suppositories to the prescribed strength.

The vaginal route places the medication at the target muscles. Individual absorption varies, and whole-body effects like drowsiness can still occur — which is why the counselling points above matter.

Diazepam is a targeted substance in Canada, so stricter prescription, transfer, and refill rules apply than for ordinary medications. The pharmacy team explains what applies to your prescription — plan refills a few days ahead rather than day-of, and note that transfers between pharmacies have limits.

Suppositories soften with heat — store as the label directs (many are kept refrigerated for firmness) and away from bathroom humidity. The label carries a beyond-use date shorter than a manufactured product's expiry because the preparation is made fresh per prescription. Discard after that date.

Price depends on the strength and quantity prescribed — the pharmacy can quote a specific prescription before it is filled. Many private drug plans cover compounded prescriptions when the formula meets the plan's rules, and eligible costs can count toward the Manitoba Pharmacare deductible.