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Diastat Acudial (diazepam)

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data

Overview

Diazepam is a benzodiazepine. The drug has anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, sedative, and skeletal muscle relaxant properties.

USES: This medication is used to treat episodes of increased seizures (such as cluster or breakthrough seizures) in people who are already taking medications to control their seizures. This product is only recommended for short-term treatment of seizure attacks. It is not for ongoing daily use to prevent seizures.

Uncontrolled seizures can turn into serious (possibly fatal) seizures that do not stop (status epilepticus). Diazepam belongs to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines. It works by calming the brain and nerves.

This medication is not recommended for children younger than 6 months of age because of the risk of serious side effects.

Generic name: diazepam
Pronunciation: (dye-AZ-e-pam)

Reference product & biosimilars

No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.

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Indications

The following indications are listed for Diastat Acudial:

  • Acute Repetitive Seizures

Also known as: Cluster Seizures, Repetitive Seizure, Serial Seizures.

Dosing

Dosage of diazepam must be individualized, and the smallest effective dosage should be used (especially in geriatric or debilitated patients or in those with liver disease or low serum albumin) to avoid oversedation. The doses recommended by the manufacturers for IM and IV administration are identical. When parenteral diazepam is used with an opiate analgesic, the dosage of the opiate should be reduced by at least one-third and administered in small increments. Because of the unpredictable response of children to CNS drugs, diazepam therapy should be initiated with the lowest dosage and increased as required. Since diazepam and its metabolites have long elimination half-lives, time to reach steady-state plasma concentrations should be considered when dosage adjustments are made.

In patients who have received prolonged (e.g., for several months) diazepam therapy, abrupt discontinuance of the drug should be avoided since manifestations of withdrawal can be precipitated; if the drug is to be discontinued in such patients, it is recommended that dosage be gradually tapered. It is particularly important that the drugs not be discontinued abruptly in patients with a history of a seizure disorder since seizures may be precipitated.

Diazepam is administered orally, by IV or IM injection, or rectally.

Drug interactions

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

Contraindications

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

Adverse reactions

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

Precautions

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ICD codes

No ICD codes are available for this drug.

Formulary status

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data