About diazepam
Benzodiazepine; anticonvulsant
Used for
- Stopping prolonged seizures or seizure clusters
- Treating muscle spasms in selected cases
Usual adult dose
Rectal dosing depends on the condition and product; seizure doses are usually prescribed by body weight or as a fixed dose.
Usual dose in children
For seizures, commonly 0.2–0.5 mg/kg rectally, adjusted for age; maximum and repeat dosing depend on the prescription.
Common side effects
- Sleepiness, dizziness, poor coordination
- Slow or shallow breathing
- Confusion or unusual behavior
- Dependence and withdrawal with repeated use
Important warnings
- Can dangerously slow breathing, especially with opioids, alcohol, or other sedatives.
- Use only by the prescribed rectal route and follow seizure action-plan instructions.
- Repeated use can cause tolerance and dependence; do not stop regular use suddenly.
- Seek emergency help for breathing difficulty, prolonged seizures, or failure to recover.
Pregnancy
May cause newborn sedation or withdrawal, especially with use near delivery; use during pregnancy requires clinician assessment.
Breastfeeding
Can cause infant sleepiness or poor feeding; repeated use may accumulate, so clinician guidance is important.
Interactions
- Opioids and other sedatives increase severe drowsiness and breathing risks.
- Alcohol increases sedation and impaired coordination.
- Some medicines, including certain antifungals and antibiotics, can increase diazepam effects.
- Carbamazepine, phenytoin, and rifampin can reduce diazepam effects.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.