Question

During the acute episode of seizure, the doctor had prescribed IV diazepam to control the seizure. Discuss the rationale of using IV diazepam over rectal diazepam in this instance.
P/s: patient is only 4 years old.

Answer 1

The 4 year old boy here had an acute episode of seizure which is an emergency condition. Intravenous route is a route of choice in emergency conditions as the action of drug is quicker when compared with other routes. Since it is case of epilepsy and the child is just 4 years old to prevent complications from epilepsy intravenous diazepam is given over rectal administration of diazepam.

Rectal diazepam is preferred route when intravenous access cannot be established. Incase of prolonged seizures too, rectal diazepam is given.

Thank you.