Diastat

Diazepam



(dye az' e pam)

Valium®
Valrelease®¶

Diazepam may increase the risk of serious or life-threatening breathing problems, sedation, or coma if used along with certain medications. Tell your doctor if you are taking or plan to take certain opiate medications for cough such as codeine (in Triacin-C, in Tuzistra XR) or hydrocodone (in Anexsia, in Norco, in Zyfrel) or for pain such as codeine (in Fiorinal), fentanyl (Actiq, Duragesic, Subsys, others), hydromorphone (Dilaudid, Exalgo), meperidine (Demerol), methadone (Dolophine, Methadose), morphine (Astramorph, Duramorph PF, Kadian), oxycodone (in Oxycet, in Percocet, in Roxicet, others), and tramadol (Conzip, Ultram, in Ultracet). Your doctor may need to change the dosages of your medications and will monitor you carefully. If you take diazepam with any of these medications and you develop any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical care immediately: unusual dizziness, lightheadedness, extreme sleepiness, slowed or difficult breathing, or unresponsiveness. Be sure that your caregiver or family members know which symptoms may be serious so they can call the doctor or emergency medical care if you are unable to seek treatment on your own.
Drinking alcohol or using street drugs during your treatment with diazepam also increases the risk that you will experience these serious, life-threatening side effects. Do not drink alcohol or use street drugs during your treatment.

Diazepam is used to relieve anxiety, muscle spasms, and seizures and to control agitation caused by alcohol withdrawal.

Diazepam comes as a gel to instill rectally using a prefilled syringe with a special plastic tip. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.
Before diazepam rectal gel is prescribed, the doctor will talk to your caregiver about how to recognize signs of the type of seizure activity that should be treated with this medication. Your caregiver will also be taught how to administer the rectal gel.
If used regularly, diazepam may be habit forming. Do not use a larger dose than your doctor tells you to. Diazepam rectal gel is not meant to be used on a daily basis. Diazepam rectal gel should not be used more than 5 times a month or more often than every 5 days. If you or your caregiver think that you need diazepam rectal gel more often than this, talk to your doctor.
Directions for the caregiver to administer the rectal gel:



Put the person having seizures on his/her side in a place where he/she cannot fall.

Remove the protective cover from the syringe by pushing it up with your thumb and then pulling it off.

Put lubricating jelly on the rectal tip.

Turn the person on his/her side facing you, bend his/her upper leg forward, and separate his/her buttocks to expose the rectum.

Gently insert the syringe tip into the rectum until the rim is snug against the rectal opening.

Slowly count to 3 while pushing in the plunger until it stops.

Slowly count to 3 again, and then remove the syringe from the rectum.

Hold the buttocks together so the gel doesn't leak from the rectum, and slowly count to 3 before letting go.

Keep the person on his/her side. Take note of what time diazepam rectal gel was given, and continue to watch the person.
After administering the rectal gel, the caregiver should watch the person with seizures carefully. If any of the following occur, call 911:



seizures continue for 15 minutes after diazepam rectal gel was given (or follow the doctor's instructions).

the seizures seem different or worse than usual.

you are worried about how often seizures are happening.

you are worried about the skin color or breathing of the person with seizures.

the person is having unusual or serious problems.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's administration instructions.

Before taking diazepam,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to diazepam, alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium, in Librax), clonazepam (Klonopin), clorazepate (Gen-Xene, Tranxene), estazolam, flurazepam, lorazepam (Ativan), oxazepam, temazepam (Restoril), triazolam (Halcion), any other medications, or any of the ingredients in diazepam products. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.

tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements, you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: antihistamines; cimetidine (Tagamet); digoxin (Lanoxin); disulfiram (Antabuse); fluoxetine (Prozac); isoniazid (Laniazid, in Rifamate, in Rifater); ketoconazole (Nizoral); levodopa (in Ritary, in Sinemet, in Stalevo); medications for depression, seizures, Parkinson's disease, asthma, colds, or allergies; metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL); muscle relaxants; oral contraceptives; probenecid (Probalan, in Col-Probenecid); propranolol (Hemangeol, Inderal, Innopran); ranitidine (Zantac); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater); sedatives; sleeping pills; theophylline (Elixophyllin, Theo 24, Theochron); tranquilizers; or valproic acid (Depakene). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

if you use antacids, take diazepam first, then wait 1 hour before taking the antacid.

tell your doctor if you have or have ever had glaucoma; seizures; or lung, heart, or liver disease.

tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking diazepam, call your doctor immediately.

talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking diazepam if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults should not usually take diazepam because it is not as safe as other medications that can be used to treat the same conditions.

if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking diazepam.

you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.

tell your doctor if you use tobacco products. Cigarette smoking may decrease the effectiveness of this medication.

Talk to your doctor about eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice while using this medicine.

If you take several doses per day and miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Side effects from diazepam are common and include the following:



drowsiness

dizziness

tiredness

weakness

dry mouth

diarrhea

nausea

changes in appetite
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:



restlessness or excitement

constipation

difficulty urinating

frequent urination

blurred vision

changes in sex drive or ability

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:



seizures

shuffling walk

persistent, fine tremor or inability to sit still

fever

difficulty breathing or swallowing

severe skin rash

yellowing of the skin or eyes

irregular heartbeat
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). To dispose of the diazepam gel, remove the plunger from the syringe body and point the tip over a sink or toilet. Insert the plunger into the syringe and gently push it to release the medication into the toilet or sink. Then flush the toilet or rinse the sink with water until the diazepam gel is no longer visible. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to diazepam.
Diazepam can cause false results in urine tests for sugar using Clinistix and Diastix. Diabetic patients should use TesTape to test their urine for sugar.
If you are taking diazepam to control seizures and have an increase in their frequency or severity, call your doctor. Your dose may need to be adjusted. If you use diazepam for seizures, carry identification (Medic Alert) stating that you have epilepsy and that you are taking diazepam.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
¶ This branded product is no longer on the market. Generic alternatives may be available.