Why is it Critical to Intervene?

Even when a patient is on a regular anti-epileptic medication, breakthrough seizures can occur. It is critical to intervene to reduce long-term health risks.

When a seizure does strike, it can be extremely dangerous. The longer a seizure goes untreated, the more likely the risk of brain damage or death.

The Epilepsy Foundation recommends that treatment should begin within 5 to 10 minutes to avoid increased risk of complications, including long-term neuronal damage.

A trip to the emergency room could delay treatment, especially if the patient lives in a remote or rural area.

Having a portable rescue medication such as DIASTAT® AcuDial™ (diazepam rectal gel) on hand, and knowing how to use it, can provide a safe and effective means of stopping the seizures — fast!

Individuals with epilepsy (and their caregivers) have to contend with the challenge of seizures every day and with the impact the chronic condition has on their lives.

Breakthrough seizures add to anxiety about seizure emergency management; sometimes this stress leads to limiting daily activities and/or the entire family's ability to travel due to fear of not being near a hospital or medical facility.

Creating a Seizure Preparedness Plan and talking to your healthcare professional about DIASTAT AcuDial can provide peace of mind to help patients with epilepsy live life more fully.

DIASTAT AcuDial is a rescue medication for breakthrough seizures for adults and for children over the age of 2, and should not replace current antiepileptic medications.

Please note: If DIASTAT AcuDial is prescribed, the caregiver administering it must speak with the doctor, and the doctor needs to ensure that the caregiver:
  • Can tell the difference between a distinct cluster of seizures from the patient’s ordinary seizure activity.
  • Has been instructed and judged to be competent to administer the treatment rectally.
  • Knows the exact conditions that indicate when to treat with DIASTAT AcuDial and which seizures may or may not be treated with DIASTAT AcuDial.
  • Knows how and for how long to check the person after giving DIASTAT AcuDial.
  • Can monitor the clinical response and recognize when the response indicates that immediate professional medical evaluation is necessary.
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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

DIASTAT® AcuDial™ (diazepam rectal gel) is a gel formulation of diazepam intended for rectal administration in the management of selected, refractory patients with epilepsy, on stable regimens of AEDs, who require intermittent use of diazepam to control bouts of increased seizure activity for patients 2 years and older.

In clinical trials with DIASTAT®, the most frequent side effect was somnolence (23%). Less frequent adverse events reported were dizziness, headache, pain, vasodilation, diarrhea, ataxia, euphoria, incoordination, asthma, rash, abdominal pain, nervousness and rhinitis (1%-5%). Please see full DIASTAT AcuDial Prescribing Information.