Diapam is indicated for

·                     severe acute anxiety and agitation including delirium tremens.

·                     acute muscle spasm - tetanus

·                     acute convulsions including status epilepticus and those due to poisoning and febrile conditions

·                     intravenous sedative cover before and during minor surgical procedures in obstetrics, surgery, dentistry, ophthalmology, endoscopy, radiology, cardiac catheterisation and cardioversion.

 

The following points should be noted;

Benzodiazepines are indicated for the short-term relief (2 to 4 weeks only) of anxiety that is severe, disabling or subjecting the individual to unacceptable distress, occurring alone or in association with insomnia or short-term psychosomatic, organic or psychotic illness.

The use of benzodiazepines to treat short-term ‘mild anxiety’ is inappropriate and unsuitable.

Benzodiazepines should be used to treat insomnia only when it is severe, disabling or subjecting the individual to extreme distress.

Posology

 

Adults

Severe acute anxiety or agitation: 10mg by I.V. or I.M. injection which may be repeated after an interval of not less than 4 hours.

 

Delirium Tremens: 10 to 20mg I.V. or I.M. higher doses may be needed, depending on the severity of the symptoms.

 

Acute Muscle Spasm: 10mg by I.V. or I.M. injection which may be repeated after an interval of not less than 4 hours.

 

Tetanus: Initially an I.V. dose of 0.1 to 0.3mg/kg bodyweight, repeated at intervals of 1 to 4 hours.  The selected dose should relate to the severity of the case and in extreme severe cases higher doses have been used.

 

Continuous IV infusion of 3 – 10 mg/kg body weight per 24 hours can also be used. The chosen dose should be related to the severity of the case and in extremely severe cases higher doses have been used.

 

Status epilepticus, convulsions due to poisoning: 10 – 20 mg IV or IM, repeated if necessary 30 - 60 minutes later. If indicated, this may be followed by slow intravenous infusion (maximum dose 3 mg/kg body weight over 24 hours).

 

Pre-operative medication or premedication: 0.2mg/kg bodyweight.  The usual adult dose is 10 to 20mg but higher doses may be necessary according to the clinical response.

 

Elderly or debilitated patients

Doses should not exceed half those normally recommended.

 

Children

Status Epilepticus, convulsions due to poisoning, febrile convulsions: 0.2 to 0.3mg/kg bodyweight I.V. (or I.M.) or 1mg per year of life.

 

Tetanus: As for adults:

 

Pre-operative medication or premedication: 0.2mg/kg bodyweight.

 

The following points regarding dosage of benzodiazepines should be noted:

1. The lowest dose which can control the symptoms should be used. It should not be continued beyond four weeks.

2. Long Term chronic use is not recommended.

3. Treatment should always be tapered off gradually

4. Patients who have taken benzodiazepines for a long time may require a longer period during which doses are reduced.

5. When a benzodiazepine is used as a hypnotic, treatment should, if possible, be intermittent.

 

In order to reduce the likelihood of untoward effects during intravenous sedation the injection should be given slowly (0.5ml of the solution per half a minute) until the patient becomes drowsy, the eyelids droop and the speech becomes slurred but the patient is still able to respond to requests.

Intravenous injection may be associated with local reactions, including thrombophlebitis. In order to reduce the likelihood of untoward effects, it is strongly recommended that the intravenous injections of diazepam should be given into a large vein of antecubital fossa, the patient having been placed in the supine position and kept there throughout the procedure.

Diazepam injection should not normally be diluted.

Diazepam injection should not be mixed with other drugs in the same syringe.

 

Route of administration

I.M. or I.V.

• Known hypersensitivity to diazepam, other benzodiazepines or propylene glycol or any of the other product excipients (see section 6.1). • Phobic or obsessional states; chronic psychosis, hyperkinesis (paradoxical reactions may occur) • Acute pulmonary insufficiency, respiratory depression, acute or chronic severe respiratory insufficiency (ventilator failure may be exacerbated). • Sleep apnoea syndrome (condition may be exacerbated). • Marked neuromuscular respiratory weakness including unstable myasthenia gravis (condition may be exacerbated). • Severe hepatic impairment (elimination half-life of diazepam may be prolonged). • Acute porphyria. • Planning a pregnancy (see section 4.6). • Pregnancy (unless there are compelling reasons – see section 4.6) Diazepam injection should not be used alone in the treatment of depression or anxiety associated with depression due to the risk of precipitation of suicide in this patient group.

The IM use of diazepam injection can lead to a rise in serum creatinine phosphokinase activity, with a maximum level occurring between 12 and 24 hours after injection. This fact should be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of myocardial infarction.

 

The absorption from IM injection of diazepam may be variable, particularly for the gluteal muscles. This route of administration should only be used if IV administration is not possible.

 

Diapam contains propylene glycol. There have been rare reports of propylene glycol toxicity (e.g. increased anion gap, metabolic acidosis, hyperosmolality, renal impairment) with the potential for organ system failure and circulatory shock, in patients treated with continuous infusions of diazepam. Central nervous system toxicity, including seizures, as well as unresponsiveness, tachypnoea, tachycardia and diaphoresis have also been associated with propylene glycol toxicity. Symptoms may be more likely to develop in patients with renal or hepatic impairment and in paediatric patients (see also the Excipients warnings below).

 

Concomitant use of alcohol/CNS depressants

The concomitant use of diazepam with alcohol and/or CNS depressants should be avoided. Such concomitant use has the potential to increase the clinical effects of diazepam possibly including severe sedation, clinically relevant respiratory and/or cardio-vascular depression (see section 4.5). 

 

Tolerance 

Loss of efficacy effects may develop after repeated use for a few weeks. Limits of tolerance in patients with organic cerebral changes (particularly arteriosclerosis) or cardiorespiratory insufficiency may be very wide (see also section 4.3); care must be taken in adapting the dosage with such patients.

 

Dependence 

The risk of dependence (physical or psychological) increases with dose and duration of treatment and is greater in patients with a history of alcohol or drug abuse, or in patients with a marked personality disorder.

 

Therefore:

·                     Regular monitoring of such patients is essential

·                     Routine repeat use should be avoided • Treatment should be withdrawn gradually.

 

Abuse of diazepam has been reported.

 

Withdrawal effects

The duration of treatment should be as short as possible (see section 4.2).

 

If physical dependence has developed, abrupt termination of treatment results in withdrawal symptoms. These include headache, muscle pain, extreme anxiety, tension, restlessness, confusion and irritability, sleep disturbance, diarrhoea and mood changes.

In severe cases the following may occur: a feeling of unreality or of being separated from the body, derealisation, depersonalisation, confusional states, numbness and tingling of the extremities, hypersensitivity to light, noise and physical contact, psychotic manifestations including hallucinations or epileptic seizures. Withdrawal symptoms will be worse in patients who have been dependent on alcohol or other narcotic drugs in the past, but can occur following abrupt cessation of treatment in patients receiving normal therapeutic doses for a short period of time.

 

Rebound insomnia and anxiety 

A transient syndrome whereby the symptoms that led to treatment with a benzodiazepine recur in an enhanced form, may occur on withdrawal of treatment. It may be accompanied by other reactions including mood changes, anxiety or sleep disturbances and restlessness. Since the risk of withdrawal phenomena/rebound phenomena is greater after abrupt discontinuation of treatment, it is recommended that the dosage is decreased gradually.

 

Sudden discontinuation of treatment with diazepam in patients with epilepsy or other patients who have had a history of seizures can result in convulsions or epileptic status. Convulsions can also be seen following sudden discontinuation in individuals with alcohol or drug abuse.

 

Discontinuation should be gradual in order to minimise the risk of withdrawal symptoms.

 

Duration of treatment

The duration of treatment should be as short as possible (see section 4.2) depending on the indication. The patient must be evaluated after a period of no more than 4 weeks and then regularly thereafter in order to assess the need for continued treatment, especially if the patient is free of symptoms. In general, treatment must not last any longer than 8-12 weeks, including the tapering off process. Extension beyond these periods should not take place without reevaluation of the situation. 

 

It may be useful to inform the patient when treatment is started that it will be of limited duration and to explain precisely how the dosage will be progressively decreased. Moreover, it is important that the patient should be aware of the possibility of rebound phenomena, thereby minimising anxiety over such symptoms should they occur while the medicinal product is being discontinued. There are indications that, in the case of benzodiazepines with a short duration of action, withdrawal phenomena can become manifest within the dosage interval, especially when the dosage is high.

 

When benzodiazepines with a long duration of action are being used it is important to warn against changing to a benzodiazepine with a short duration of action, as withdrawal symptoms may develop.

 

Amnesia

Anterograde amnesia may occur even if benzodiazepines are used within the normal dose range, though this is seen in particular at high dose levels. The condition occurs most often several hours after ingesting the product and therefore to reduce the risk patients should ensure that they will be able to have an uninterrupted sleep of 7–8 hours (see also section 4.8). Amnestic effects may be associated with inappropriate behaviour.

 

Bereavement/loss

Psychological adjustment may be inhibited by benzodiazepines.

 

Psychiatric and 'paradoxical' reactions

Reactions such as restlessness, agitation, irritability, aggressiveness, excitement, confusion, delusions, rage, nightmares, hallucinations, psychoses, inappropriate behaviour and other adverse behavioural effects can occur.

 

These reactions are more likely in children and the elderly, and extreme caution should be used in prescribing benzodiazepines to patients with personality disorders. Should they occur, treatment should be discontinued.

 

Specific Patient Groups

Patients with depression 

Diazepam should not be used alone to treat depression or anxiety associated with depression as suicide may be precipitated in such patients.

 

Patients with a history of alcohol & drug abuse, and patients on disulfiram

Diazepam should be used with extreme caution in patients with a history of alcohol or drug abuse (risk of abuse/dependence). Diazepam should not be used concomitantly with disulfiram due to its ethanol content. A reaction may occur as long as two weeks after cessation of disulfiram (see section 4.5).

 

Patients with phobias and/or chronic psychoses

Diazepam is not recommended (inadequate evidence of efficacy and safety).

 

Potentially suicidal patients

Potentially suicidal individuals should not have access to large amounts of diazepam due to the risk of overdosing.

 

Psychotic illness

Benzodiazepines are not recommended for the primary treatment of psychotic illness.

 

Paediatric population

Benzodiazepines should not be given to children without careful assessment of the need to do so; the duration of treatment must be kept to a minimum. Safety and effectiveness of diazepam in paediatric patients below the age of 6 months have not been established.

 

Elderly and debilitated patients

Elderly and debilitated patients should be given a reduced dose (see section 4.2). Due to the myorelaxant effect there is a risk of falls and consequently hip fractures in the elderly.

 

Hepatic Impairment 

Benzodiazepines are not indicated to treat patients with severe hepatic insufficiency as they may precipitate encephalopathy. In patients with chronic hepatic disease dosage may need to be reduced.

 

Renal Impairment

The usual precautions in treating patients with impaired renal function should be observed. In renal failure, the half-life of diazepam is not clinically significantly changed, and dose adjustment is usually not necessary.

 

Cardiorespiratory Impairment

A lower dose is recommended for patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency due to the risk of respiratory depression.

Diazepam injection should be administered with caution to patients in whom a drop in blood pressure might lead to cardiovascular or cerebrovascular complications.

 

Excipients warnings:

 

Benzyl alcohol

If used in neonates

Intravenous administration of benzyl alcohol has been associated with serious adverse events and death in neonates (“gasping syndrome”). The minimum amount of benzyl alcohol at which toxicity may occur is not known.

 

If used in young children

There is an increased risk due to accumulation in young children.

 

Patients with liver or kidney disease

High volumes should be used with caution and only if necessary, especially in subjects with liver or kidney impairment because of the risk of accumulation and toxicity (metabolic acidosis).

 

Benzoic acid and sodium benzoate

If used in neonates

Increase in bilirubinaemia following its displacement from albumin may increase neonatal jaundice which may developing to kernicterus (non- conjugated bilirubin deposits in the brain tissue).

 

Propylene glycol

If used in neonates

Co-administration with any substrate for alcohol dehydrogenase such as ethanol may induce serious adverse effects in neonates. 

Particular attention should be paid to the potential effects of drug interactions with diazepam in the elderly.

 

Not recommended

Alcohol

Diazepam should not be used together with alcohol (CNS inhibition enhanced sedative effects: impaired ability to drive/ operate machinery).

 

Sodium oxybate

Avoid concomitant use (enhanced effects of sodium oxybate).

 

HIV-protease inhibitors

Avoid concomitant use (increased risk of prolonged sedation) – see below for zidovudine.

 

Take into account

Pharmacodynamic interactions

If diazepam is used with other centrally acting agents, careful consideration has to be given to the pharmacology of the agents employed, particularly with compounds that may potentiate or be potentiated by the action of diazepam, such as neuroleptics, anxiolytics/sedatives, hypnotics, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, sedating antihistamines, antipsychotics, anaesthetics for general anaesthesia and narcotic analgesics. Such concomitant use may increase sedative effects and cause depression of respiratory and cardiovascular functions. Concomitant use of narcotic analgesics may promote psychological dependency due to enhancement of euphorigenic effects.

 

Anti-epileptic drugs

Pharmacokinetic studies on potential interactions between diazepam and antiepileptic drugs have produced conflicting results. Both depression and elevation of drug levels, as well as no change, have been reported. 

 

Phenobarbital taken concomitantly may result in an additive CNS effect. Increased risk of sedation and respiratory depression. Phenobarbital is a known inducer of CYP3A4 and increases hepatic metabolism of diazepam. Reduced effect of diazepam.

 

Special care should be taken in adjusting the dose in the initial stages of treatment. 

 

Side effects may be more evident with hydantoins or barbiturates.

 

Diazepam has been reported to be displaced from protein-binding sites by sodium valproate (increased serum levels: increased risk of drowsiness).

 

Narcotic analgesics

 Enhancement of the euphoria may lead to increased psychological dependence.

 

Other drugs enhancing the sedative effect of diazepam

Cisapride, lofexidine, nabilone, disulfiram and the muscle-relaxants – baclofen, Tizanidine, suxamethonium and tubocurarine.

 

Compounds that affect hepatic enzymes (particularly cytochrome P450):

Inhibitors (eg. cimetidine: isoniazid: erythromycin: omeprazole: esomeprazole) reduce clearance and may potentiate the action of benzodiazepines.

Itraconazole, ketoconazole, and to a lesser extent fluconazole and voriconazole are potent inhibitors of the cytochrome P450 isoenzyme CYP3A4 and may increase plasma levels of benzodiazepines. The effects of benzodiazepines may be increased and prolonged by concomitant use. A dose reduction of the benzodiazepine may be required.

 

Rifamycins (rifampicin)

Rifampicin is a potent inducer of CYP3A4 and substantially increases the hepatic metabolism and clearance of diazepam. In a study with healthy subjects administered 600 mg or 1.2 g rifampicin daily for 7 days, the clearance of diazepam was increased by about fourfold. Co-administration with rifampicin gives rise to substantially decreased concentrations of diazepam. Reduced effect of diazepam. The concomitant use of rifampicin and diazepam should be avoided.

 

 Antihypertensives, vasodilators & diuretics:

Enhanced hypotensive effect with ACE inhibitors, alpha-blockers, angiotensin-II receptor antagonists, calcium channel blockers, adrenergic neuron blockers, beta-blockers, moxonidine, nitrates, hydralazine, minoxidil, sodium nitroprusside and diuretics.

 

Enhanced sedative effect with alpha-blockers or moxonidine.

 

Dopaminergics

Possible antagonism of the effect of levodopa.

 

Antiviral agents (atazanavir, ritonavir, delavirdine, efavirenz, indinavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir) 

Antiviral agents may inhibit the CYP3A4 metabolic pathway for diazepam. Increased risk of sedation and respiratory depression. Therefore, concomitant use should be avoided.

 

Zidovudine 

Increased zidovudine clearance by diazepam.

 

Oral contraceptives

Inhibition of oxidative metabolism of diazepam. Increased effects of diazepam.

 

Co-administration of diazepam and combined oral contraceptives has been known to cause breakthrough bleeding. The mechanism of this reaction is unknown. Breakthrough bleeding, but no contraceptive failures have been reported.

 

Theophylline

A proposed mechanism is competitive binding of theophylline to adenosine receptors in the brain. Counteraction of the pharmacodynamic effects of diazepam, e.g. reduction of sedation and psychomotor effects.

 

Caffeine

Concurrent use may result in reduced sedative and anxiolytic effects of diazepam.

 

Grapefruit juice

Inhibition of CYP3A4 may increase the plasma concentration of diazepam (possible increased sedation and amnesia). Cmax is increased by 1.5 times and AUC by 3.2 times. Possible increased effect of diazepam. 

 

This interaction may have little significance in healthy individuals, but it is not clear is if other factors such as old age or liver cirrhosis increase the risk of adverse effects with concurrent use.

 

Antipsychotics:

Plasma concentrations of zotepine may be increased. Severe hypotension, collapse, loss of consciousness, respiratory depression, and potentially fatal respiratory arrest have been reported in a few patients taking benzodiazepines and clozapine. Salivary hypersecretion has also occurred. Caution is advised when initiating clozapine therapy in patients taking diazepam. There is an increased risk of hypotension, bradycardia and respiratory depression when parenteral benzodiazepines are given with intramuscular olanzapine.

 

Pharmacokinetic interactions

Diazepam is mainly metabolised to the pharmacologically active metabolites N-desmethyldiazepam, temazepam and oxazepam. The oxidative metabolism of diazepam is mediated by CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 isoenzymes. Oxazepam and temazepam are further conjugated to glucuronic acid. Inhibitors of CYP3A4 and/or CYP2C19 can give rise to increased concentrations of diazepam while enzyme inducing drugs such as rifampicin, hypericum perforatum and certain antiepileptics can result in substantially decreased plasma concentrations of diazepam.

 

Carbamazepine

Carbamazepine is a known inducer of CYP3A4 and increases hepatic metabolism of diazepam. This can result in up to three-fold greater plasma clearance and a shorter half-life of diazepam. Reduced effect of diazepam.

 

Phenytoin

Phenytoin is a known inducer of CYP3A4 and increases hepatic metabolism of diazepam. Reduced effect of diazepam. The metabolism of phenytoin may be increased or decreased or remain unaltered by diazepam in an unpredictable way. Increased or decreased serum concentration of phenytoin. Phenytoin concentrations should be monitored more closely when diazepam is added or discontinued.

 

Azoles (fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole)

Increased plasma concentration of benzodiazepines, due to inhibition of the CYP3A4 and/or CYP2C19 metabolic pathway.

 

Fluconazole

Co-administration with 400 mg fluconazole on the first day and 200 mg on the second day increased the AUC of a single 5 mg oral dose of diazepam 2.5-fold and prolonged the half-life from 31 hours to 73 hours.

 

Voriconazole

A study with healthy subjects found that 400 mg voriconazole twice daily on the first day and 200 mg twice daily on the second day increased the AUC of a single 5 mg oral dose of diazepam 2.2-fold and prolonged the half-life from 31 hours to 61 hours.

 

Increased risk of undesired effects and toxicity of benzodiazepine. Concomitant use should be avoided or the dose of diazepam reduced.

 

Fluvoxamine

Fluvoxamine inhibits both CYP3A4 and CYP2C19 which leads to inhibition of the oxidative metabolism of diazepam. Co-administration with fluvoxamine results in an increased half-life and an approximately 190% increased plasma concentrations (AUC) of diazepam. Drowsiness, reduced psychomotor performance and memory impairment may result. Preferably, benzodiazepines that are metabolised via a nonoxidative pathway should be used instead. 

 

Corticosteroids

Chronic use of corticosteroids may cause increased metabolism of diazepam due to induction of cytochrome P450 isoenzyme CYP3A4, or of enzymes responsible for glucuronidation. Reduced effects of diazepam.

 

Cimetidine

Cimetidine inhibits the hepatic metabolism of diazepam, reducing its clearance and prolonging its half-life. In one study where 300 mg cimetidine was administered four times daily for 2 weeks, the combined plasma level of diazepam and its active metabolite, desmethyldiazepam, was found to be increased by 57%, but reaction times and other motor and intellectual tests remained unaffected. Increased action of diazepam and increased risk of drowsiness. Reduction of the diazepam dose may be necessary.

 

Omeprazole

Omeprazole inhibits the CYP2C19 metabolic pathway for diazepam. Omeprazole prolongs the elimination half-life of diazepam and increases the plasma concentrations (AUC) of diazepam approximately between 30% - 120%. The effect is seen in CYP2C19 extensive metabolisers but not in slow metabolisers, with a low clearance of diazepam. Increased action of diazepam. Reduction of the diazepam dose may be necessary.

 

Esomeprazole

Esomeprazole inhibits the CYP2C19 metabolic pathway for diazepam. Coadministration with esomeprazole results in an extended half-life and an increase in plasma concentrations (AUC) of diazepam by approximately 80%. Increased effect of diazepam. Reduction of the diazepam dose may be necessary.

 

Isoniazid

Isoniazid inhibits the CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 metabolic pathway for diazepam. Co-administration with 90 mg isoniazid twice daily for 3 days resulted in a prolonged elimination half-life of diazepam and in a 35% increased plasma concentration (AUC) of diazepam. Increased effect of diazepam.

 

Itraconazole

Increased plasma concentration of diazepam due to inhibition of the CYP3A4 metabolic pathway. In a study with healthy subject given 200 mg itraconazole daily for 4 days increased the AUC of a single 5 mg oral dose of diazepam by about 15%, but there was no clinically significant interaction as determined by psychomotor performance tests. Possible increased effect of diazepam. 

 

Fluoxetine

Fluoxetine inhibits the metabolism of diazepam via CYP2C19 and other pathways, resulting in elevated plasma concentrations and decreased clearance of diazepam. Increased effect of diazepam. Concomitant use should be monitored close.

 

Disulfiram

Reduced metabolism of diazepam leading to prolonged half-life and increased plasma concentration of diazepam. The elimination of the N-desmethyl metabolites of diazepam is slowed down which can give rise to marked sedative effects. Increased risk of CNS inhibition such as sedation.

 

Cisapride

Accelerated absorption of diazepam. Temporary increase of the sedative effects of orally administered diazepam. 

 

Levodopa

Concomitant use with diazepam resulted in reduced effects of levodopa in a small number of case reports.

 

Ketamine

Due to similar oxidative processes, diazepam competitively inhibits ketamine metabolism. Pre-medication with diazepam leads to prolonged half-life of ketamine with enhanced effect as a result. Increased sedation.

Pregnancy

There is no evidence regarding the safety of diazepam in human pregnancy, nor is there evidence from animal studies, that it is free from hazard. Do not use during pregnancy, especially during the first and last trimesters unless there are compelling reasons.

 

If diazepam is prescribed to a woman of childbearing potential, she should be warned to contact her physician regarding discontinuance of diazepam if she intends to become, or suspects that she is pregnant.

 

Results of retrospective studies suggest an increased risk of congenital malformation in infants or mothers who received diazepam during the first trimester of pregnancy.

 

Infants born to mothers who take benzodiazepines chronically during the later stages of pregnancy may develop physical dependence and may be at some risk for developing withdrawal symptoms in the postnatal period.

 

An increase in foetal heart rate has occurred after diazepam use during labour.

 

Hypoactivity, hypotonia, hypothermia, apnoea, feeding problems, hyperbilirubinaemia and kernicterus have been reported in neonates born to mothers who receive large doses of diazepam (generally greater than 30 mg) shortly before delivery.

 

Breast-feeding

Diazepam has been detected in breast milk. If possible diazepam should be avoided during breast feeding.

 

Fertility:

Studies in animals have shown a decrease in pregnancy rate and reduced number of surviving offspring in rats at high doses. There are no human data.

Sedation, amnesia and impaired muscular function may adversely affect the ability to drive or use machines. If insufficient sleep occurs, the likelihood of impaired alertness may be increased (see section 4.5). Patients should be warned that effects on the central nervous system may persist into the day after administration even after a single dose. 

 

This medicine can impair cognitive function and can affect a patient’s ability to drive safely.

 

When prescribing this medicine, patients should be told:

·                     The medicine is likely to affect your ability to drive

·                     Do not drive until you know how the medicine affects you

·                     It is an offence to drive while under the influence of this medicine

·                     However, you would not be committing an offence (called ‘statutory defence’) if:

• The medicine has been prescribed to treat a medical or dental problem and
• You have taken it according to the instructions given by the prescriber and in the information provided with the medicine and
• It was not affecting your ability to drive safely.

Drowsiness, numbed emotions, reduced alertness, confusion, fatigue, headache, dizziness, muscle weakness, ataxia or double vision predominantly occur at the start of therapy but usually disappear with repeated administration. Among elderly patients there may be confusion conditions at high dose levels. There is an increased risk of falls and associated fractures in elderly patients using benzodiazepines.

 

Increased salivary and bronchial secretion has been reported, in particular in children.

 

Amnesia

Anterograde amnesia may occur using therapeutic dosages, the risk increasing at higher dosages. Amnestic effects may be associated with inappropriate behaviour (see section 4.4).

 

Dependence

Chronic use (even at therapeutic doses) may lead to the development of physical and psychological dependence: discontinuation of the therapy may result in withdrawal or rebound phenomena (see section 4.4). Abuse of benzodiazepines has been reported.

 

The frequencies of adverse events are ranked according to the following:

·                     Very common (≥1/10)

·                     Common (≥1/100 to <1/10)

·                     Uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100)

·                     Rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000)

·                     Very rare (<1/10,000)

·                     Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

 

System Organ Class	Frequency	Undesirable effect
Blood and lymphatic system disorders	Rare	Blood dyscrasias.
	Very rare	Leukopenia, Thrombocytopenia, Agranulocytosis.
Immune system disorders	Very rare	Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis.
Metabolism and nutrition disorders	Not known	Metabolic disorders including metabolic acidosis, increased anion gap and hyperosmolality have been reported as a consequence of propylene glycol toxicity (see section 4.4).
Psychiatric disorders	Common	Confusion.
	Rare	Psychiatric and paradoxical reactions such as excitation, restlessness, agitation, irritability, aggressiveness, delusion, rages, hallucinations, psychoses, memory loss, nightmares, inappropriate behaviour and other adverse behavioural effects. a Emotional poverty, decreased alertness and depression.b
Nervous system disorders	Very common	Drowsiness.
	Common	Ataxia, impaired motor ability, tremor.
	Uncommon	Anterograde amnesia.c   Concentration difficulties, balance disorders, dizziness, headache, slurred speech
	Rare	Unconsciousness, insomnia, dysarthria.
Eye disorders	Not known	Reversible disorders of vision: blurred vision, diplopia, nystagmus.
Ear and labyrinth disorders	Not known	Vertigo
Cardiac disorders	Rare	Bradycardia, heart failure including cardiac arrest.
Vascular disorders	Rare	Hypotension, syncope. The incidence of hypotension may be reduced by not exceeding the recommended rate of administration. Patients should be managed in the supine position and kept there throughout the procedure.
	Not known	Intravenous injections of diazepam may be associated with local reactions and thrombophlebitis and venous thrombosis may occur
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders	Uncommon	Respiratory depression.
	Rare	Respiratory arrest, increased bronchial secretion.
	Not known	Apnoea, worsening of obstructive pulmonary disease
Gastrointestinal disorders	Uncommon	Gastrointestinal disorders (nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea), increased salivary secretion.
	Rare	Dry mouth, increased appetite.
Hepatobiliary disorders	Rare	Jaundice, changes of hepatic parameters (elevation of ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase).
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders	Uncommon	Allergic skin reactions (itching, erythema, rash).
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders	Uncommon	Myasthenia
Renal and urinary disorders	Rare	Urinary retention, incontinence.
Reproductive system and breast disorders	Rare	Gynaecomastia, impotence, increased or reduced libido.
General disorders and administration site condition	Common	Fatigue, withdrawal symptoms (anxiety, panic, palpitations, sweating, tremor, gastrointestinal disorders, irritability, aggression, disrupted sensory perception, muscle spasms, general malaise, loss of appetite, paranoid psychosis, delirium, epileptic attacks, headache, muscle pain, depression, insomnia, restlessness, confusion and the occurrence of rebound phenomena).d
	Not known	Anaphylaxis, injection site pain or irritation (see also Vascular disorders).
Investigations	Very rare	Elevation of transaminases.

^a Known to occur when using benzodiazepines or benzodiazepine-like agents. These reactions may be quite severe. They are more likely to occur in children and the elderly. Diazepam should be discontinued if such symptoms occur (see section 4.4).

 

^b Pre-existing depression may be unmasked during benzodiazepine use.

 

^c May occur using therapeutic dosages, the risk increasing at higher dosages. Amnestic effects may be associated with inappropriate behaviour (see section 4.4).

 

^d The likelihood and degree of severity of withdrawal symptoms is dependent on the duration of treatment, dose level and degree of dependency. In severe cases the following symptoms may occur: derealisation, depersonalisation, tinnitus, numbness and tingling of the extremities, hypersensitivity to light, noise, and physical contact, involuntary movements, hyperreflexia, tremor, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, loss of appetite, agitation, palpitations, tachycardia, panic attacks, vertigo, short-term memory loss, hallucinations/delirium, catatonia, hyperthermia, convulsions. Convulsions may be more common in patients with pre-existing seizure disorders, or those taking other drugs that lower the convulsive threshold such as antidepressants.

 

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

 

·                     Saudi Arabia

 

 

·                     Other GCC States:

Symptoms

The symptoms of diazepam overdose are mainly an intensification of the therapeutic effects (ataxia, drowsiness, dysarthria, sedation, muscle weakness, profound sleep, hypotension, bradycardia, nystagmus) or paradoxical excitation. In most cases only observation of vital functions is required. 

 

Extreme overdosage may lead to coma, areflexia, cardiorespiratory depression and apnoea, requiring appropriate countermeasures (ventilation, cardiovascular support). Benzodiazepine respiratory depressant effects are more serious in patients with severe chronic obstructive airways disease. Severe effects in overdose also include rhabdomyolysis and hypothermia. 

 

Rarely, propylene glycol toxicity has been reported following higher than recommended doses (see section 4.4)

 

Management

Maintain a clear airway and adequate ventilation.

 

Monitor level of consciousness, respiratory rate, pulse oximetry and blood pressure in symptomatic patients.

 

Consider arterial blood gas analysis in patients who have a reduced level of consciousness (GCS < 8; AVPU scale P or U) or have reduced oxygen saturations on pulse oximetry.

 

Correct hypotension by raising the foot of the bed and by giving an appropriate fluid challenge. Where hypotension is thought mainly due to decreased systemic vascular resistance, drugs with alpha-adrenergic activity such as noradrenaline or high dose dopamine (10-30 micrograms/kg/min) may be beneficial. The dose of inotrope should be titrated against blood pressure. 

 

If severe hypotension persists despite the above measures, then central venous pressure monitoring should be considered. 

 

Supportive measures are indicated depending on the patient's clinical state.

 

Benzodiazepines are poorly dialysable.

 

Flumazenil, a benzodiazepine antagonist, is not advised as a routine diagnostic test in patients with reduced conscious level. It may sometimes be used as an alternative to ventilation in children who are naive to benzodiazepines, or in patients with COPD to avoid the need for ventilation. It is not necessary or appropriate in cases of poisoning to fully reverse the benzodiazepine effect. Flumazenil has a short half-life (about an hour) and in this situation an infusion may therefore be required. Flumazenil is contraindicated when patients have ingested multiple medicines, especially after co-ingestion of a benzodiazepine and a tricyclic antidepressant or any other drug that causes seizures. This is because the benzodiazepine may suppress seizures induced by the second drug; its antagonism by flumazenil can reveal severe status epilepticus that is very difficult to control.

 

The use of flumazenil is not recommended in epileptic patients who have been receiving benzodiazepine treatment for a prolonged period. Although flumazenil exerts a slight intrinsic anticonvulsant effect, the abrupt suppression of the protective effect of a benzodiazepine agonist can give rise to convulsions in epileptic patients.

 

Contraindications to the use of flumazenil include features suggestive of a tricyclic antidepressant ingestion including a wide QRS, or large pupils. Use in patients with postcardiac arrest is also contraindicated. 

 

It should be used with caution in patients with a history of seizures, head injury, or chronic benzodiazepine use.

 

Occasionally a respirator may be required but generally few problems are encountered, although behavioral changes are likely in children.

 

If excitation occurs, barbiturates should not be used.

 

Effects of overdose are more severe when taken with centrally-acting drugs, especially alcohol, and in the absence of supportive measures, may prove fatal.

Diazepam is a benzodiazepine tranquilliser with anticonvulsant, sedative, muscle relaxant and amnesic properties. It is used in the treatment of anxiety and tension states, as a sedative and pre-medicant, in the control of muscle spasm as in tetanus, and in the management of alcohol withdrawal symptoms. It is of value in patients undergoing orthopaedic procedures endoscopy and cardioversion.

Diazepam is metabolised to two active metabolites, one of which, desmethyldiazepam, has an extended half-life. Diazepam is therefore a long acting benzodiazepine and repeated doses may lead to accumulation.

 

Diazepam is metabolised in the liver and excreted via the kidney. Impaired hepatic or renal function may prolong the duration of action of diazepam. It is recommended that elderly and debilitated patients receive initially one half the normal recommended dose.

 

During prolonged administration, for example in the treatment of tetanus, the dosage should generally be reduced after 6-7 days, to reduce the likelihood of accumulation and prolonged CNS depression.

none availble 

Propylene glycol EP, Sodium Benzoate EP, Benzoic acid EP, Benzyl alcohol EP and water for injection EP.

The injection should not be diluted or mixed with other drugs in the same syringe.

48 months.

Store below 30°C, in the original package.

Do not refrigerate or freeze.

Type I, 2 ml amber ampoules (primary package)

Boxes of 10 ampoules (2 blisters x 5 ampoules) and 100 ampoules (20 blisters x 5 ampoules).

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

No special requirements for disposal.