Epilepsy & Workplace Safety



The following article first appeared on the Epilepsy Foundation website, and is reprinted here with permission from the Epilepsy Foundation.
  • Review any job-related risks that apply to you.
  • Can something be changed to improve safety?
  • Consider telling your co-workers you have epilepsy and the correct first aid for the type of seizure you have.
  • Climb only as high as you can safely fall, especially on a concrete floor, unless you are protected by a reliable safety harness and wearing a secure hard hat or helmet.
  • When working around machinery, check for safety features, such as automatic shut offs or safety guards.
  • Try to keep consistent work hours so you don't have to go a long time without sleep.
  • If you are sensitive to flashing lights, try to limit your exposure. Look away if you can. Use dark glasses. Some people think blue lenses work best.
  • Does stress make your seizures worse? Is your job a very stressful one? Look at ways to reduce stress on the job.
 
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.