Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 12/18/2007

Question
I am allergic to valium (broke out in hives). Previously when I have had an operation or procedure I have been given something other than valium or versed. I just had a bunion operation where the anesthesiologist tried to bully me into taking versed, which I understand is another synthetic valium. I refused and eventually got something else. While they were trying to convince me to take versed they told me that many other patients who were allergic to valium had been given versed with no problems. My response was that I was not willing to take an unnecessary risk. Is versed so different than valium that there is no risk, or was I wise to insist on something else?
Thank you for your reply

Answer
Versed is different from Valium stucturally so there should be no problem with cross-reactivity with Valium. This is not to say that you are not also allergic to Versed but Versed allergies are extremely rare.

Good Luck,

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston