What we know about Diazepam.

Diazepam: uses Diazepam is used to treat episodes of increased seizures ( e. g. , acute repetitive seizures, breakthrough seizures ) in people who are already taking medications to control their seizures. Diazepam is only recommended for short-term treatment of seizure attacks. It isn't for ongoing daily use to prevent seizures. Uncontrolled seizures can turn into serious ( possibly fatal ) seizures that do not stop ( status epilepticus ) .

Diazepam belongs to a class of medications called benzodiazepines which produce a calming effect on brain and nerves ( central nervous system ) . It's thought to work by increasing the effect of a certain natural chemical ( GABA ) in brain.

Diazepam: how to use Read Patient/Caregiver Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before we use Diazepam and each time we get a refill. If we have questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Diazepam is given rectally by a caregiver trained to recognize the symptoms of your seizures and to correctly give product. We and your caregivers must follow all instructions from your doctor and pharmacist exactly. Review all the instructions on how to give Diazepam in product package. If we have any questions or feel unsure about using Diazepam, call doctor or pharmacist before using Diazepam. Get emergency help if person is having a seizure and you don't feel comfortable using Diazepam.

Before using, check syringe for the correct dose. Your pharmacist should set the correct dose and lock the syringe in the " ready " position before giving you the product. Before leaving pharmacy, look at each syringe. The dose should be in the display window on side. We should see a green band with word " ready " at bottom of syringe barrel. Look to make sure you have the correct syringe tip ( e. g. , smaller tip for a child ) and that there are no cracks around syringe tip. Return product to pharmacist if there's a problem or if we have any questions

Cracks can cause medication to leak out and not provide the correct amount of medication. If we see a crack, use a different syringe. Cracks can appear over time, so keep checking your syringes to make sure we have good ones ready to use. Also check expiration date on package, and refill your prescription before the medication expires.

The dosage is based on age, weight, medical condition, and response to therapy. Be sure we understand when Diazepam should be used, how to use it, and how to check for side effects/seizure control. In some cases, a second dose may be prescribed and given 4 to 12 hours after first dose. Usually, Diazepam shouldn't be used to treat more than 5 episodes per month and no more than one episode every 5 days. If seizures continue after using Diazepam as prescribed ( e. g. , no change 15 minutes after dose is given ) , or if there's a change in person's breathing, behavior, or condition that alarms you, get emergency help right away.

Diazepam shouldn't be used regularly. This medication may cause dependence when it has been used regularly for a long time ( more than a few weeks ) or if it has been used in high doses. In such cases, if we suddenly stop Diazepam, withdrawal reactions may occur while use Diazepam. Such reactions can include increased seizures. Report any such reactions to your doctor immediately. When stopping extended, regular treatment with Diazepam, gradually reducing dosage as directed will help prevent withdrawal reactions. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Though it's very unlikely to occur, Diazepam can also result in abnormal drug-seeking behavior ( addiction/habit forming ) . Don't increase your dose, take it more frequently, or use it for a longer time than prescribed.

Dispose of Diazepam properly. Follow the directions in Patient Information Leaflet. Don't reuse syringe.

Do not stop taking your regular seizure control medications when we are given Diazepam.

Diazepam: side effects Drowsiness, dizziness, diarrhea, and unsteadiness may occur. If these persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed Diazepam because he or she has judged that benefit to you is greater than risk of side effects. Many people using Diazepam do not have serious side effects. Diazepam stays in the body for a long time. Be sure to watch for reactions for at least 4 hours after giving medication.

Seek immediate medical attention if any of these unlikely but very serious side effects occur:

A serious allergic reaction to Diazepam is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include:

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If we notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Diazepam: precautions Before using Diazepam, tell your doctor or pharmacist if we are allergic to it; or to other benzodiazepines ( e. g. , oxazepam, temazepam ) ; or if we have any other allergies.

Diazepam shouldn't be used if we have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if we have:

Before using Diazepam, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

Diazepam may make we dizzy or drowsy; use caution while engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving, riding a bicycle, or using machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages.

To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.

Caution is advised when using Diazepam in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to effects of Diazepam, especially the drowsiness effect.

Diazepam isn't recommended for use during pregnancy. If we become pregnant or think we may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. Consult your doctor for more details.

Diazepam may pass into breast milk. Because of the possible harm to infant, breast-feeding while using Diazepam isn't recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Diazepam: interactions Your healthcare professionals ( e. g. , doctor or pharmacist ) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring we for them. Don't start, stop or change dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

Diazepam shouldn't be used with following medications because a very serious interaction may occur while use Diazepam:

If you're currently using either of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before using Diazepam.

Before using Diazepam, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products we may use, especially of:

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: antidepressants ( e. g. , amitriptyline, nefazodone ) , certain antihistamines ( e. g. , diphenhydramine ) , anti-seizure drugs ( e. g. , carbamazepine, phenobarbital, valproate ) , medicine for sleep or anxiety ( e. g. , alprazolam, kava, zolpidem ) , muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers ( e. g. , codeine ) , psychiatric medicines ( e. g. , chlorpromazine, risperidone ) .

Diazepam contains a small amount of alcohol. Tell your doctor if you're taking drugs such as disulfiram or metronidazole that can can cause an unpleasant reaction when combined with alcohol.

Avoid alcohol when using Diazepam because it may increase side effects such as difficulty breathing and drowsiness.

Check labels on all your medicines ( e. g. , cough-and-cold products ) because they may contain drowsiness-causing ingredients. Ask your pharmacist about safe use of those products.

This document doesn't contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using Diazepam, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all products we use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Diazepam with EU shipping

Study Shows Training Improves Care For Mothers

A study involving researchers at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine and other institutions showed that hospital education programs can change physician behavior over the long term. An article on the study appears in the May 1 New England Journal of Medicine .

The study, which focused on postpartum care, dramatically reduced rates of uterine bleeding by encouraging doctors to prescribe the drug oxytocin to women just after delivery to contract uterus and prevent hemorrhaging. The program also resulted in fewer episiotomies , an incision made between vagina and anus to prevent tearing of the vagina during delivery. Although still widely performed many studies have shown procedure isn't beneficial.

" The goal of this study was to change medical behavior and to create a sustainable intervention. We did that, and we found a profound compliance rate, " said Pierre Buekens, co-author of the study and dean of Tulane's School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine. " We need strong programs like this to help us change medical behaviors and save more lives. '

The study, which was conducted in Argentina and Uruguay, included researchers from Institute of Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy, in Buenos Aires; Research Triangle Institute, North Carolina; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; World Health Organization; and Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. The study's first author was Doctor Fernando Althabe of Institute of Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy. Buekens says the findings could greatly affect U. S. healthcare.

Researchers had opinion leaders from 10 public maternity hospitals attend a five-day workshop on how to develop and carry out guidelines for physicians and midwives based on best scientific evidence available. The guidelines focused on managing the period after birth of baby and before expulsion of placenta. They also stressed limiting the use of episiotomy Participants also were taught how to communicate what they had learned to their fellow birth attendants. Nine hospitals served as controls for the study.

After 18 months, researchers found that oxytocin use increased from 2. 1 percent of births before the trial began to 83. 6 percent at the 10 instructed hospitals. By comparison, oxytocin use increased from 2. 6 percent to 12. 3 percent at the control hospitals.

Episiotomies decreased from 41. 1 percent of births to 29. 9 percent at hospitals receiving staff instruction and increased slightly at control hospitals, from 43. 5 percent to 44. 5 percent.

The hospitals where the staff received instruction also had a 45 percent reduction in postpartum hemorrhages of 500 milliliter ( 2 cups ) or more and a 70 percent reduction on postpartum hemorrhage of 1000 milliliter ( 4 cups ) or more.

After one year, oxytocin use remained high at the hospitals receiving instruction ( 73. 4 percent ) and low in control hospitals ( 7. 1 percent. ) . After a year, episiotomy rate at hospitals receiving instruction was 28. 1 percent and 45. 1 percent in the control hospitals.

The change in oxytocin perscription being much larger than change in episiotomy use suggests that adopting a new practice may be easier than eliminating an established practice.

The study was funded by Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research ( http: //www. nichd. nih. gov/research/supported/globalnetwork. cfm ) and National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Tulane University 215 Gibson Hall New Orleans, LA 70118-5698 United States http: //tulane. edu

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