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Diazepam Injection (DBL)

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Generic Name: Diazepam
Product Name: Diazepam Injection (DBL)

Indication

  • Short term management of anxiety
  • Acute alcohol withdrawal
  • Acute benzodiazepine withdrawal
  • Muscle spasm
  • Premedication
  • Conscious sedation
  • Status epilepticus
  • Parasomnias (night terrors; sleep walking)

Action

Benzodiazepines potentiate the inhibitory effects of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA throughout the CNS, resulting in anxiolytic, sedative hypnotic, muscle relaxant and antiepileptic effects).

Dose advice

1-10mg up to 3 times a day. Additional doses are sometimes needed.

Adult:

  • Premedication: 0.1-0.2mg/kg IV
  • Acute severe anxiety, muscle spasm: 5-10mg IV repeated in 3-4 hours if necessary
  • Acute benzodiazepine withdrawal: give divided doses of diazepam equivalent to the patientÂ?s daily benzodiazepine consumption; if this is not known, give oral diazepam 20mg every 2 hours until withdrawal symptoms are controlled; gradually taper dosage over subsequent days
  • Elderly and/or debilitated patient: 2mg orally twice daily

Child:

  • Premedication: rectal/oral 0.2-0.4mg/kg
  • Muscle spasm, anxiety: IV 0.1-0.3mg/kg every 1-4 hours, up to 0.6mg/kg in 8 hours. Oral 0.05-0.3mg/kg 2-3 times daily

Administration instructions:

  • Give IV no faster than 5mg/minute.
  • Avoid extravasation and intra-arterial injection.
  • Avoid IM administration, particularly as emulsion formulation of injection has been discontinued.
  • Avoid dilution and infusion of injection as diazepam has low solubility and adsorbs to PVC giving sets.

Schedule

S4


Common side effects

  • Drowsiness
  • Over-sedation
  • Light-headedness
  • Memory loss
  • Ataxia
  • Slurred speech

Uncommon side effects

  • Headache
  • Vertigo
  • Hypotension
  • Disorientation
  • Confusion
  • Paradoxical excitation
  • Euphoria
  • Aggression and hostility
  • Anxiety
  • Decreased libido
  • Anterograde amnesia
  • Pain and thrombophlebitis with IV injection
  • Respiratory arrest with IV use

For further information talk to your doctor.


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Dates

Posted On: 22 July, 2003
Modified On: 1 January, 1970

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Created by: myVMC