Diastat Form: Dosage, Strengths, and Safe Use Guide

If youve ever been handed a Diastat form and felt a knot in your stomach wondering exactly how much to give and when, youre not alone. Below is the quicklook you need the dosing chart, the different gel strengths, and the safety points that turn a scary moment into a confident response.

Well walk through adult and pediatric dosing (including the weightbased chart you can print), show you the proper steps for administration, and flag the most common contraindications. By the end, youll feel ready to use Diastat responsibly, whether youre at home, in school, or on the go.

What Is Diastat

Definition & purpose

Diastat is a rectal gel formulation of diazepam designed for rapid seizure rescue. Its not a daily medicine; its a justincase you give when a seizure cluster hits, giving the brain a quick, calming push.

Active ingredient

The gel contains diazepam (a benzodiazepine) suspended in an AcuDial base that spreads easily across the rectal lining. This allows the drug to enter the bloodstream within minutes, which is why its a favorite for emergency seizure control.

Quick fact box

• FDAapproved for seizure clusters in patients 2years and older.
• Available only by prescription youll need a completed Diastat form from a physician.
• Brand name: Diastat AcuDial; generic: diazepam rectal gel.

Forms & Strengths

Rectal gel packaging

Diastat comes in singleuse, prefilled syringes. Each syringe holds a specific amount of gel that corresponds to a set dose.

Available strengths

The AcuDial system is sold in three strengths, often labeled together as Diastat AcuDial 57.510mg. Each strength is a different volume of gel:

Strength (mg)	Gel volume (mL)	Typical age/weight range
5mg	0.5mL	Children 212kg
7.5mg	0.75mL	Children 1325kg
10mg	1.0mL	Children >25kg, teens, adults

Why the different strengths matter

Using the right strength avoids overdose while still delivering enough medication to stop a seizure. The by weight approach is especially crucial for kids, which well break down in the next section. For medications with different forms and doses, like potassium binders, you can view helpful dosing information by reviewing Lokelma dosage guide and Lokelma strengths resources for comparison, particularly if you're managing multiple prescriptions in the home.

Dosing Guidelines

Adult dosing

For most adults, the standard dose is 510mg rectally. If the seizure continues after 10minutes, a second dose may be given but never exceed 20mg in a 24hour period.

Pediatric dosing weightbased

The Diastat dosing chart pediatrics is the gold standard. Below is a printable version you can keep in the medicine cabinet.

Weight (kg)	Suggested dose (mg)	Strength to use
26kg	25mg (rounded to 5mg)	5mg
712kg	5mg	5mg
1325kg	57.5mg (round up to 7.5mg)	7.5mg
2640kg	7.510mg (round to 10mg)	10mg
>40kg	10mg	10mg

Example calculations

Imagine a 15kg child. According to the chart, the appropriate dose is 7.5mg, so youd use the 7.5mg syringe. If you only have the 5mg and 10mg syringes, give the 5mg and be prepared to add another 5mg after 10minutes if needed but always stay under the 20mg daily limit.

Diastat dose by weight FAQs

• How do I round doses? Always round up to the nearest available strength, never split a syringe.
• When can I give a second dose? Only after waiting 10minutes and if the seizure is still ongoing.
• Can I give Diastat to infants under 2years? No its not approved for that age group.

How To Administer

Stepbystep guide

1. Wash your hands thoroughly.
2. Lay the patient on their left side (the Sims position) with knees drawn up.
3. Remove the cap from the syringe youll see a small nozzle.
4. Gently insert the nozzle about 1cm into the rectum. No force!
5. Press the plunger slowly to release the gel. The gel should spread and not pool.
6. Keep the patient in the Sims position for 23minutes to aid absorption.
7. After administration, monitor breathing and level of consciousness.

Common pitfalls

Spillage is the biggest nuisance. If any gel leaks out, wipe it gently and readminister a fresh dose dont try to reuse the same syringe. Air bubbles can also reduce the amount delivered; tap the syringe lightly before use to settle the gel.

School setting tips

Many schools require a completed Diastat form plus a signed consent from a physician. The school nurse or a designated trained adult must keep the gel in a cool, dry place and know the exact dose for each student. Having a laminated Diastat instructions card on the student's file helps everyone remember the steps during a hectic moment. For students taking other medications, awareness of serious drug side effects is crucial, especially if they are on multiple therapies.

Safety & Contraindications

Absolute contraindications

• Severe respiratory depression or apnea.
• Known hypersensitivity to diazepam or any benzodiazepine.
• Acute narrowangle glaucoma (risk of increased intraocular pressure).

Relative cautions

• Severe liver disease diazepam is metabolized in the liver.
• Concurrent use of other CNS depressants (e.g., opioids, alcohol).
• Pregnancy discuss risks with a healthcare provider.

Quicklook contraindications

Before you reach for the gel, ask yourself: Is the patient breathing on their own? Do they have a known allergy to benzodiazepines? If the answer is no or unsure, call emergency services first.

Postadministration monitoring

After a dose, keep a close eye on the patients breathing, pulse, and level of consciousness for at least 30minutes. Look for signs of excessive sedation, difficulty breathing, or a rash. If any of these occur, call 911 immediately.

Prescription Forms

What the Diastat form looks like

The form is a twopage PDF that includes patient info, prescriber details, dosage instructions, and emergency contact numbers. Its signed by the physician and often requires a school nurses signature if the patient is a student.

Required fields

• Patient name, date of birth, and weight.
• Prescribing physicians name, license number, and contact.
• Exact dose (e.g., 5mg) and strength (e.g., Diastat AcuDial 57.510mg).
• Emergency contact and consent for administration by nonmedical staff.

Sample completed form

Below is a deidentified example (source: state health department PDFs). It illustrates how to fill each section clearly, making it easy for teachers or coaches to follow.

School paperwork process

First, the physician fills out the form and signs it. Next, the parent submits it to the schools health office. The nurse then logs the medication, stores it in a locked cabinet, and trains at least one adult on administration. Many districts require a yearly refresher; keep a calendar reminder!

When To Call Help

Red flags after a dose

If the patient shows any of the following, dial 911 right away:

• Breathing stops or becomes shallow for more than 10seconds.
• Unresponsiveness lasting longer than 5minutes.
• Severe skin rash, swelling, or difficulty swallowing.
• Any sign of anaphylaxis (tight throat, hives, rapid pulse).

Seizure duration guidelines

If a seizure lasts longer than 5minutes, this is considered status epilepticus a medical emergency that requires IV benzodiazepines, not Diastat. The FDA prescribing information emphasizes that Diastat is for clusters, not prolonged seizures.

Reliable Resources

• Official FDA prescribing information (PDF).
• Manufacturer support line: 18773612719 (available 24/7).
• Patient advocacy groups such as the Epilepsy Foundation for education and support.

Conclusion

Here are the three things you should walk away with:

1. Know the right strength. Diastat comes in 57.510mg gel; match the strength to the patients age and weight.
2. Follow the dosing chart. Use the weightbased chart for children, repeat only after 10minutes, and never exceed 20mg in 24hours.
3. Document and train. Keep a completed Diastat form on hand, ensure a trained adult is present, and review contraindications before each use.

Download the printable dosing chart, Save the prescription form template, and add Diastat instructions to your emergency seizure plan today. Got questions or a story to share about using Diastat? Drop a comment below were all in this together.