Diastat

Diazepam Rectal



(dye az' e pam)

Diastat®

Diazepam rectal 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 use diazepam rectal 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 rectal 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 tablet, extended-release (long-acting) capsule, and concentrate (liquid) to take by mouth. Do not open, chew, or crush the extended-release capsules; swallow them whole. It is usually taken 1 to 4 times a day and may be taken with or without food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take diazepam exactly as directed.
Diazepam concentrate (liquid) comes with a specially marked dropper for measuring the dose. Ask your pharmacist to show you how to use the dropper. Dilute the concentrate in water, juice, or carbonated beverages just before taking it. It also may be mixed with applesauce or pudding just before taking the dose.
Diazepam can be habit-forming. Do not take a larger dose, take it more often, or for a longer time than your doctor tells you to. Tolerance may develop with long-term or excessive use, making the drug less effective. This medication must be taken regularly to be effective. Do not skip doses even if you feel that you do not need them. Do not take diazepam for more than 4 months or stop taking this medication without talking to your doctor. Stopping the drug suddenly can worsen your condition and cause withdrawal symptoms (anxiousness, sleeplessness, and irritability). Your doctor probably will decrease your dose gradually.

Before using diazepam rectal gel,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to diazepam (Valium), any other medications, or any of the ingredients in diazepam rectal. 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 or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); antidepressants ('mood elevators') including imipramine (Surmontil, Tofranil); antihistamines; carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Tegretol); certain antifungals such as clotrimazole (Lotrimin), fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox), and ketoconazole (Nizoral); cimetidine (Tagamet); cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune); dexamethasone; medications for anxiety, mental illness, or nausea; monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate); omeprazole (Prilosec); paclitaxel (Abraxane, Taxol); phenobarbital; phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek); propranolol (Hemangeol, Inderal, Innopran); quinidine (in Nuedexta); rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate); sedatives; sleeping pills; theophylline (Elixophyllin, Theo-24, Theochron); tranquilizers; and troleandomycin (no longer available in the U.S.; TAO). Many other medications may also interact with diazepam rectal, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John's wort.

tell your doctor if you drink large amounts of alcohol or use or have used street drugs and if you have or have ever had glaucoma, lung problems such as asthma or pneumonia, or liver or kidney disease.

tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using diazepam rectal gel, call your doctor.

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

you should know that diazepam rectal gel may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car, operate machinery, or ride a bicycle until the effects of diazepam rectal gel have passed.

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. Your doctor will need to examine you about every 6 months to check if your dose of diazepam rectal should be changed.
If you have symptoms that are different from your usual seizures, you or your caregiver should call your doctor immediately.
Do not let anyone else use 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.