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Diastat was a trade name for diazepam rectal gel, a benzodiazepine rescue treatment for seizure clusters in patients with epilepsy age 2 and older. The original Diastat presentations were discontinued from U.S. marketing, while generic diazepam rectal gel remains marketed. Diazepam is a Schedule IV controlled substance.
read more about diastat ...Diazepam enhances inhibitory signaling at GABA-A receptors in the central nervous system. Greater GABA activity increases chloride flow into neurons and reduces their ability to depolarize. This suppresses excessive neuronal activity involved in seizure generation and spread.
Diazepam rectal gel is used for acute treatment of intermittent, stereotypic episodes of frequent seizure activity that differ from a patient's usual seizure pattern. It is labeled for patients with epilepsy age 2 and older and is used as rescue treatment alongside the patient's regular antiseizure regimen.
Dosing is based on age and body weight. The recommended calculation is 0.5 mg per kg for ages 2 to 5, 0.3 mg per kg for ages 6 to 11, and 0.2 mg per kg from age 12. A prescribed second dose can be given four to 12 hours after the first.
Diazepam rectal gel can cause profound sedation and respiratory depression, especially with opioids or other central nervous system depressants. Other concerns include abuse, misuse, addiction, physical dependence, withdrawal reactions, impaired coordination, and breathing problems. Acute narrow-angle glaucoma and hypersensitivity to diazepam are contraindications.
The original Diastat presentations were discontinued, while generic diazepam rectal gel remains marketed in the United States.
It treats seizure clusters that are distinct from a patient's usual seizure pattern in epilepsy.
When prescribed, a second dose can be given four to 12 hours after the first dose.
Current labeling recommends no more than five episodes per month and no more than one episode every five days.
Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations, 46th Edition (Orange Book). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/media/71474/download?attachment=. Date Accessed September 24, 2026.
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DIASTAT (diazepam) gel Prescribing Information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2024/020648s024lbl.pdf. Date Accessed September 24, 2026.
Diazepam. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537022/. Date Accessed September 24, 2026.
Diazepam Rectal. MedlinePlus. https://www.medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a605033.html. Date Accessed September 24, 2026.