How is Diastat given?

Diastat was designed to be given outside of the hospital by non-medical people. While some people may be able to give it to themselves, it is easiest to have someone else do it. Usually a parent, caregiver, or designated adult will give this to a child.

Anyone who will be giving Diastat should be taught how to use it properly by the doctor or nurse. The following steps outline how to give Diastat® AcuDial™. Make sure to review these instructions with the prescribing health care professional and follow the package insert guidelines that come in the Diastat package.

• Turn the person on their side so they are facing you (or the person who will be giving it).
• Get the medicine out of the package and check the dose of the medicine with the doctor’s order.
• Remove the cap from the syringe and make sure that the Seal Pin is removed with the cap.
• Put lubricating jelly on the tip of the syringe.
• Fix the person’s clothes and bend the upper leg forward so the rectum can be seen.
• Spread the cheeks of the buttocks and gently insert the tip of the syringe into the rectum.
• Push the plunger on the syringe in and slowly count to 3. Count to 3 again before removing the syringe.
• Then squeeze the buttocks together and count to 3 to prevent leaking of the medicine.
• Fix the person’s clothes back to normal.
• Follow the doctor’s recommendations for observing the person afterwards.

How long does it take for Diastat to work?

Diastat is absorbed quickly from the rectum. Seizures may stop within 15 minutes of giving the medicine, but Diastat may continue to work for much longer. The Diastat reaches a peak level in the bloodstream in about 1.5 hours, but can last almost 2 days.

Follow instructions from your doctor carefully on how often Diastat can be given. Since it can last a long time in the body, a second dose should be given only if and when the doctor recommends it. Also make sure you know how often you can use this for cluster seizures - for example how many days between clusters can it be given and how many times a month can it be used.

Diastat is generally recommended to be used only once every 5 days or no more than 5 times a month. If you are have clusters more often than this, talk to your doctor about what to do.

Remember:

• Ask the doctor when a second dose should be given.
• Diastat should not be used instead of your child's regular medicine - ask the doctor how often to use it.

• Instructions for giving Diastat
• Read the package insert

Continue to Side Effects of Diastat

Topic Editor: Steven C. Schachter, MD and Patricia O. Shafer, RN, MN.
Last Reviewed:5/25/07