An Introduction to Diastat Side Effects
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with
Diastat® (
diazepam rectal gel). However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Diastat. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Diastat side effects with you.)
Common Diastat Side Effects
Diastat has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials, in which the side effects of a group of people taking the drug are documented and compared to another group not taking the medicine. As a result, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
In these studies, the most common side effects of Diastat included:
- Drowsiness -- in up to 23 percent of people
- Headaches -- up to 5 percent
- Diarrhea -- up to 4 percent
- Coordination problems -- up to 3 percent
- Dizziness -- up to 3 percent
- Unusual feelings of happiness (euphoria) -- up to 3 percent.
Serious Diastat Side Effects
Some side effects with Diastat, while occurring infrequently, are potentially serious and should be reported immediately to your healthcare provider. These include but are not limited to:
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Asthma
- Worsening of seizures
- Signs of an allergic reaction, including an unexplained rash, hives, itching, and unexplained swelling.
