Read Mosby's 2014 Nursing Drug Reference Online
Authors: Linda Skidmore-Roth
Canada only Side effects:
italics
= common;
bold
= life-threatening
Nurse Alert
(dye-az′-e-pam)
Diazemuls
, Diastat, Valium
Func. class.:
Antianxiety, anticonvulsant, skeletal muscle relaxant, central acting
Chem. class.:
Benzodiazepine, long-acting
Do not confuse:
diazepam
/Ditropan/LORazepam
Potentiates the actions of GABA, especially in the limbic system, reticular formation; enhances presympathetic inhibition, inhibits spinal polysynaptic afferent paths
Anxiety, acute alcohol withdrawal, adjunct for seizure disorders; preoperatively as a relaxant for skeletal muscle relaxation; rectally for acute repetitive seizures
Unlabeled uses:
Agitation, benzodiazepine withdrawal, chloroquine overdose, insomnia, seizure prophylaxis
Pregnancy (D), hypersensitivity to benzodiazepines, closed-angle glaucoma, coma, myasthenia gravis, ethanol intoxication, hepatic disease, sleep apnea
Precautions:
Breastfeeding, children <6 mo, geriatric patients, debilitation, renal disease, asthma, bipolar disorder, COPD, CNS depression, labor, Parkinson’s disease, neutropenia, psychosis, seizures, substance abuse, smoking
•
Adult: PO
2-10 mg bid-qid;
IM/IV
2-5 mg q3-4hr
• Geriatric: PO
1-2 mg daily-bid, increase slowly as needed
• Child >6 mo: PO
1-2.5 mg tid/qid;
IM/IV
0.04-0.3 mg/kg/dose q2-4hr, max 0.6 mg/kg in an 8-hr period
•
Adult: IV
5-15 mg 5-10 min precardioversion
•
Adult: IV
2.5-20 mg;
IM
5-10 mg 1/2 hr preendoscopy
•
Adult: PO
2-10 mg tid-qid or
EXT REL
15-30 mg/day;
IV/IM
5-10 mg, repeat in 2-4 hr
• Geriatric: PO
2-5 mg bid-qid;
IV/IM
2-5 mg, may repeat in 2-4 hr
• Child >5 yr: IM/IV
5-10 mg q3-4hr prn
• Infant >30 days: IM/IV
1-2 mg q3-4hr prn
•
Adult: IV/IM
5-10 mg, 2 mg/min, may repeat q10-15min, max 30 mg; may repeat in 2-4 hr if seizures reappear
• Child >5 yr: IM
1 mg q2-5min;
IV
1 mg slowly
• Child 1 mo-5 yr: IV
0.2-0.5 mg slowly;
IM
0.2-0.5 mg slowly q2-5min up to 5 mg, may repeat in 2-4 hr prn
•
Adult: RECT
0.2 mg/kg, may repeat in 4-12 hr
• Child 6-11 yr: RECT
0.3 mg/kg, may repeat in 4-12 hr
• Child 2-5 yr: RECT
0.5 mg/kg, may repeat in 4-12 hr
•
Adult: IV
10 mg initially then 5-10 mg q3-4hr prn
•
Adult: PO
Taper 0.5-2 mg over 4-16 wk
• Child 6 mo-5 yr: PO
0.33 mg/kg q8hr until afebrile for ≥24 hr
Available forms:
Tabs 2, 5, 10 mg; inj 5 mg/ml; oral sol 5 mg/5 ml, rectal 2.5 (pediatric), 10, 20 mg, twin packs; ext rel cap 15 mg
•
With food or milk for GI symptoms; crushed if patient is unable to swallow medication whole
•
Reduced opioid dose by 1/3 if given concomitantly with diazepam
•
Concentrate:
use calibrated dropper only; mix with water, juice, pudding, applesauce; to be consumed immediately
•
Do not use more than 5×/mo or for an episode q5days (Diastat)
•
Into large vein; give IV 5 mg or less/1 min or total dose over 3 min or more (children, infants); continuous inf is not recommended; inject as close to vein insertion as possible;
do not dilute or mix with other products
CNS:
Dizziness, drowsiness
, confusion, headache, anxiety, tremors, stimulation, fatigue, depression, insomnia, hallucinations, ataxia, fatigue
CV:
Orthostatic hypotension
,
ECG changes, tachycardia,
hypotension
EENT:
Blurred vision
, tinnitus, mydriasis, nystagmus
GI:
Constipation, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea
HEMA:
Neutropenia
INTEG:
Rash, dermatitis, itching
RESP:
Respiratory depression
Metabolized by liver via CYP2C19, CYP3A4; excreted by kidneys; crosses placenta; excreted in breast milk; crosses the blood-brain barrier; half-life 20-50 hr; more reliable by mouth; 99% protein binding
PO:
Rapidly absorbed, onset 1/2 hr, duration 2-3 hr
IM:
Onset 15-30 min, duration 1-1½ hr, absorption slow and erratic
RECT:
Peak 1.5 hr
IV:
Onset immediate, duration 15 min-1 hr
Increase:
diazepam effect—amiodarone, protease inhibitors, diltiazem, cimetidine, clarithromycin, dalfopristin, quinupristin, delavirdine, disulfiram, efavirenz, erythromycin, fluconazole, fluvoxaMINE, imatinib, itraconazole, ketoconazole, IV miconazole, nefazodone, niCARdipine, ranolazine, troleandomycin, verapamil, voriconazole, zafirlukast, zileauton, valproic acid
Increase:
toxicity—barbiturates, SSRIs, cimetidine, CNS depressants, valproic acid, CYP3A4 inhibitors
Increase:
CNS depression—CNS depressants, alcohol
Decrease:
diazepam metabolism—oral contraceptives, valproic acid, disulfiram, isoniazid, propranolol
Decrease:
diazepam effect—CYP3A4 inducers (rifampin, barbiturates, carBAMazepine, ethotoin, phenytoin, fosphenytoin), smoking
Increase:
AST/ALT, serum bilirubin
•
B/P (lying, standing), pulse; respiratory rate; if systolic B/P drops 20 mm Hg, hold product, notify prescriber; respirations q5-15min if given IV
•
Blood studies: CBC during long-term therapy; blood dyscrasias (rare); hepatic studies: AST, ALT, bilirubin, creatinine, LDH, alk phos
•
Degree of anxiety;
what precipitates anxiety and whether product controls symptoms
•
Alcohol withdrawal symptoms,
including hallucinations (visual, auditory), delirium, irritability, agitation, fine to coarse tremors
•
Seizure control and type, duration, intensity of seizures
•
For muscle spasms; pain relief
•
IV site for thrombosis or phlebitis, which may occur rapidly
•
Mental status: mood, sensorium, affect, sleeping pattern, drowsiness, dizziness, suicidal tendencies
•
Physical dependency, withdrawal symptoms:
headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, weakness after long-term use
•
Therapeutic response: decreased anxiety, restlessness, insomnia
•
That product may be taken with food
•
That product not to be used for everyday stress or for >4 mo unless directed by prescriber; to take no more than prescribed amount; that product may be habit forming
•
To avoid OTC preparations unless approved by prescriber
•
To avoid driving, activities that require alertness; drowsiness may occur
•
To avoid alcohol, other psychotropic medications unless directed by prescriber; that smoking may decrease diazepam effect by increasing diazepam metabolism
•
Not to discontinue medication abruptly after long-term use; to gradually taper
•
To rise slowly or fainting may occur, especially in geriatric patients
•
That drowsiness may worsen at beginning of treatment
•
To notify prescriber if pregnancy is planned or suspected (D), avoid breastfeeding
Lavage, VS, supportive care, flumazenil
Canada only Side effects:
italics
= common;
bold
= life-threatening
Nurse Alert