Safety Tips for Those Traveling with Epilepsy

by Kathy O’Hara, RN



  • Discuss your plans and develop a Seizure Preparedness Plan with the help of your healthcare physician.
  • Travel with a companion who is aware of your epilepsy, and is willing and able to act in an emergency situation (be sure to discuss what steps should be taken prior to your departure date)
  • Carry emergency instructions explaining your condition and the steps to be taken in an emergency (Medic Alert bracelet/necklace and/or Plan-at-a-Glance Wallet Card
  • If you have a vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) be sure to carry your patient emergency card when going through airport security.
  • Consider taking out travel insurance that will be honored at your destination. Pack enough medication for the entire trip (and a little extra in case you find yourself stuck somewhere longer than you anticipated).
  • Carry your daily and rescue medication in its original bottle/packaging in your carry–on luggage.
  • To avoid airport security restrictions or customs confiscation issues, carry a copy of your prescription with you and/or your doctor’s instructions explaining the reason for your medication.
  • Time zone changes may impact your medication schedule; be sure to discuss this with your physician if you plan on traveling outside your normal time zone.
  • Keep your daily routine as similar as possible to the one you maintain at home (sleep, food, fluid intake, etc).
  • Be aware of common seizure triggers that may occur when traveling: alcohol, lack of sleep, stress, changes in medication schedule, etc.
 
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.