Diazepam Rectal

Important warning:

Diazepam rectal may cause serious or life-threatening breathing problems, drowsiness, or coma if used along with certain medications.Tell your doctor if you are taking or plan to take medications for cough or for pain. Call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical care if you experience: 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 do so.

Diazepam rectal may be habit forming.Do not use a larger dose, use it more often, or for a longer time than your doctor tells you to.Tell your doctor if you have ever drunk large amounts of alcohol, if you use or have ever used street drugs, or have overused prescription medications.Also tell your doctor if you have or have ever had depression or another mental illness.

Do not stop using this medication or use fewer doses without talking to your doctor. Call your doctor or get emergency medical treatment if you experience any of the following symptoms: unusual movements; ringing in your ears; anxiety; memory problems; difficulty concentrating; sleep problems; seizures; shaking; muscle twitching; changes in mental health; depression; burning or prickling feeling in hands, arms, legs or feet; seeing or hearing things that others do not see or hear; thoughts of harming or killing yourself or others; overexcitement; or losing touch with reality.

Talk to your doctor about the risks of using diazepam rectal gel.

Why is this medicine prescribed?

Diazepam rectal gel is used in emergency situations to control seizures. Diazepam is in a class of medications called benzodiazepines. It works by calming abnormal overactivity in the brain.

Are there other uses for this medicine?

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should this medicine be used?

Diazepam comes as a gel to instill rectally using a prefilled syringe with a special plastic tip.Use to control seizures as directed by your doctor.

Use diazepam gel exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Your 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.

. 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:

1. Put the person having seizures on his/her side in a place where he/she cannot fall.
2. Remove the protective cover from the syringe by pushing it up with your thumb and then pulling it off.
3. Put lubricating jelly on the rectal tip.
4. Turn the person on his/her side facing you, bend his/her upper leg forward, and separate his/her buttocks to expose the rectum.
5. Gently insert the syringe tip into the rectum until the rim is snug against the rectal opening.
6. Slowly count to 3 while pushing in the plunger until it stops.
7. Slowly count to 3 again, and then remove the syringe from the rectum.
8. Hold the buttocks together so the gel doesn't leak from the rectum, and slowly count to 3 before letting go.
9. Keep the person on his/her side. Take note of what time diazepam rectal gel was given, and continue to watch the person.
10. To dispose of the remaining 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. Discard all used materials in the trash away from children and pets.

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 your 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.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before using diazepam rectal gel,

• tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this drug, any part of this drug, or any otherdrugs, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and whatsymptoms you had.

• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take while using diazepam rectal gel. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

• the following nonprescription or herbal products may interact with diazepam rectal gel: cimetidine; St. John's wort; omeprazole. Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking these medications before you start using diazepam rectal gel. Do not start any of these medications while using diazepam rectal gel without discussing with your healthcare provider.

• tell your doctor 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 the safe use of alcoholic beverages during your treatment with diazepam rectal gel. Alcohol can make the side effects of diazepam rectal gel worse.

What side effects can this medicine cause?

Diazepam rectal gel may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• drowsiness
• headache
• stomach pain
• nervousness
• flushing
• diarrhea
• dizziness, unsteadiness, lack of coordination
• abnormal 'high' mood

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

• rash, hives; swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, or throat; hoarseness; difficulty breathing or swallowing

Diazepam rectal gel may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.

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 (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

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). Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org

What should I do in case of overdose?

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

• drowsiness
• confusion
• coma
• unsteadiness, slow reflexes

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else use your medication. Diazepam rectal gel is a controlledsubstance. Prescriptions may be refilled only a limited number of times; ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.

Brand name(s)

• Diastat^®¶
• also available generically

^¶ This branded product is no longer on the market. Generic alternatives may be available.

This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.

AHFS^® Patient Medication Information™. © Copyright, 2025. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists^®, 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.

Selected Revisions: November 15, 2025.