Diastat AcuDial

Do not use this medication if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, or if you are allergic to diazepam (Valium) or to other benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clorazepate (Tranxene), lorazepam (Ativan), or oxazepam (Serax).

Before using diazepam rectal, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• glaucoma;

• asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), or other breathing problems;

• kidney or liver disease;

• a history of depression or suicidal thoughts or behavior; or

• a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use diazepam rectal, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not use diazepam rectal without your doctor’s consent if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication.

Diazepam may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

The sedative effects of diazepam rectal may last longer in older adults. Accidental falls are common in elderly patients who take benzodiazepines. Use caution to avoid falling or accidental injury while you are using diazepam rectal.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 6 months old.

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed. Do not use the medication in larger amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on the prescription label.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if the person receiving this medication has any of these serious side effects:

• worsening seizures, or seizures that seem different from the patient’s other seizures;

• pale or discolored skin;

• confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior;

• unusual risk-using behavior, decreased inhibitions, no fear of danger;

• depressed mood, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;

• hyperactivity, agitation, hostility;

• hallucinations;

• feeling light-headed, fainting; or

• pain or burning with urination.

Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• drowsiness, tiredness;

• blurred vision;

• sleep problems (insomnia);

• muscle weakness, lack of balance or coordination;

• slurred speech;

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea;

• headache;

• skin rash; or

• runny nose.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to diazepam or to other benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clorazepate (Tranxene), lorazepam (Ativan), or oxazepam (Serax).

This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Do not use diazepam rectal if you are pregnant.

Before using diazepam rectal, tell your doctor if you have any breathing problems, glaucoma, kidney or liver disease, or a history of depression, suicidal thoughts, or addiction to drugs or alcohol.

Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy. They can add to sleepiness caused by diazepam rectal.

Diazepam may be habit-forming and this medication should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Diazepam rectal should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.

Do not drink alcohol while using diazepam rectal. This medication can increase the effects of alcohol.

Diazepam rectal can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Avoid using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, pain medication, or muscle relaxers). They can increase some of the side effects of diazepam rectal.

Before using diazepam rectal, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• cimetidine (Tagamet);

• valproate (Depakene);

• a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton);

• an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate);

• medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol), mesoridazine (Serentil), pimozide (Orap), or thioridazine (Mellaril);

• narcotic medications such as butorphanol (Stadol), codeine, hydrocodone (Loratab, Vicodin), levorphanol (Levo-Dromoran), meperidine (Demerol), methadone (Dolophine, Methadose), morphine (Kadian, MS Contin, Oramorph), naloxone (Narcan), oxycodone (OxyContin), propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet); or

• antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), amoxapine (Ascendin), citalopram (Celexa), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Sinequan), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), paroxetine (Paxil), protriptyline (Vivactil), sertraline (Zoloft), or trimipramine (Surmontil).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use diazepam rectal, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect diazepam rectal. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a diazepam rectal overdose may include extreme drowsiness, confusion, muscle weakness, fainting, or coma.