Diazepam Rectal Gel Dosing

When treating a seizure with diazepam rectal gel, dosing will depend on several factors, such as your age and weight, other medications you are taking, and other medical conditions you have. You cannot administer diazepam rectal gel yourself, so it is important that those around you are aware that you have the medication available and that they know how to give you a dose of the medication.

 

Diazepam Rectal Gel Dosing: An Introduction

The dose of diazepam rectal gel (Diastat®) that your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Your age and weight
  • Other medications you may be taking
  • Other medical conditions you may have.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your diazepam rectal gel dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 

Diazepam Rectal Gel Dosing for Seizures

Diazepam rectal gel is not given every day. Instead, it is used during periods of increased seizure activity. The medication should not be used to treat these episodes more frequently than once a week or five times a month. Using diazepam rectal gel more frequently can make it less effective and may be a sign that your epilepsy treatment needs to be adjusted.
 
Your healthcare provider will calculate your diazepam rectal gel dose based on your age and weight. Sometimes, your healthcare provider may recommend using two doses to treat each episode of increased seizures (with the second dose given 4 to 12 hours after the first).
 

General Information on Dosing With Diazepam Rectal Gel

Considerations for people taking diazepam rectal gel include the following:
 
  • Diazepam rectal gel comes in two different types of rectal syringes, one of which must be set to the right dose by your pharmacist. Each time you receive a new prescription, be sure to check that the correct dose has been set. Do not use a syringe if you are not sure that the correct dose has been set. The other kind of syringe contains a small dose that is appropriate for young children (diazepam rectal gel 2.5 mg) and does not need to be set.
 
  • The largest syringe (20 mg) comes with a rectal tip that is too large for most children. Do not use this size syringe for a child without talking to your healthcare provider first.
     
  • Diazepam rectal gel comes with packets of lubricating jelly, which are used to lubricate the rectal tip of the syringe.
     
  • You will not be able to give yourself a dose of diazepam rectal gel. Therefore, make sure that those around you are aware that you have the medication available and that they are informed about how to give you a dose.
     
  • Be sure to closely follow the directions that come with diazepam rectal gel. Also, inspect the syringes for any cracks, as this has been a problem with the medication in the past. Do not use a syringe that is cracked.
     
  • If seizures do not improve within 15 minutes, or if they are different from your usual seizures, seek immediate medical attention.
     
  • For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed.
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;