Diastat Overdose: An Introduction
Diastat® (
diazepam rectal gel) is a medication that is used to treat
seizures in adults and children as young as two years old. As with all medicines, it is possible for a person to take too much Diastat. The specific effects of a Diastat overdose will vary, depending on a number of factors, including how much Diastat was taken and whether it was taken with other medicines, street drugs, or alcohol.
The dose of Diastat AcuDial™ syringes must be set by your pharmacist. Each time you receive a new Diastat prescription, make sure that the dose has been correctly set before leaving the pharmacy. This will help decrease the chance of a Diastat overdose or underdose.
Symptoms of a Diastat Overdose
If a person takes too much Diastat, as mentioned, the symptoms can vary. Some common symptoms of a Diastat overdose include:
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Slow reflexes
- Coma.
Life-threatening overdose symptoms are more likely to occur if Diastat is combined with alcohol or other medications, particularly other medications that slow down the brain.
Treatment for a Diastat Overdose
The treatment for a Diastat overdose will also vary. Flumazenil (Romazicon
®), an antidote for a benzodiazepine overdose, may be helpful, although this treatment may increase the risk of
seizures. Treatment may also involve supportive care, which consists of treating the symptoms that occur as a result of the overdose. For example, supportive treatment options for a Diastat overdose may include:
- Careful monitoring of the heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing
- Fluids through an intravenous line (IV)
- Other treatments based on the complications that occur.
It is important that you seek medical attention immediately if you believe that you may have overdosed on Diastat.
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