Diazepam (rectal) is usually used in the emergency treatment of seizures (fits), including febrile (fever associated) seizures in children.
Most seizures are brief and stop spontaneously within 5 minutes. If a seizure does not stop by itself within 10 to 15 minutes, it is considered a medical emergency. Seizures lasting longer than 30 minutes may lead to brain and body injury.
The common side effects of rectal diazepam include:
If seizures persist despite use of rectal diazepam, seek medical attention immediately.
The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.
Inform your healthcare professional if you have the following medical conditions before starting on diazepam (rectal):
Use of diazepam (rectal) with opioids (a group of strong painkillers like morphine and fentanyl) may result in excessive drowsiness, breathing difficulties and in severe cases, coma or death.
Use as directed by your doctor or follow the instructions in your seizure management plan.
Step 1: Tear open the foil pack.
Step 2: Twist and remove the cap from the nozzle of the diazepam (rectal) tube.
Step 3: Lay the patient on the stomach or side with a cushion under the hip.
Step 4: If the dose is half a tube, squirt out half of the tube's content.
Step 5: With the patient lying on his or her side, separate the buttocks.
Step 6: Insert the nozzle into the anus, but only to the first mark on the tube for children 1 to 3 years old.
Step 7: Always keep the tube angled with the nozzle downwards during administration.
Step 8: Squeeze the tube to empty the contents of the tube (by pressing with your thumb and index finger).
Step 9: Keep the tube pressed and remove the tube from the anus at the same time to prevent the medication from being sucked back into the tube.
Step 10: Hold the buttocks together for 3 to 4 minutes to prevent leakage.
Diazepam (rectal) is usually used on an as needed basis to stop a seizure episode.
It will be good to keep it near patients with epilepsy.
Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing it into the rubbish chute or bin.
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