diazepam (emergency use)
Last reviewed 01/2018
Rectally administered diazepam:
- via rectal tube or diazepam for injection via cannula dose:
- adults and children over 3 - 10mg
- elderly patients - 5mg
- children aged 2-3 years - 5mg
- children under 2 years - 2.5mg injection solution via cannula of butterfly with needle cut off Intravenous diazepam emulsion:
- avoids phlebitis compared with diazepam injection
- better storage life than rectal tubes
- more prone to cause respiratory depression dose:
- adults - 10-20mg given at 5mg/min repeatable after 30mins
- child - 200-300mcg/kg or 1mg per year of age
Higher doses may be used where there are facilities for rescuscitation.
ref: BNF