Generic name: diazePAM (buccal) [ dye-AZ-e-pam ]
Brand name: Libervant
Dosage form: buccal film (10 mg; 12.5 mg; 15 mg; 5 mg; 7.5 mg)
Drug classes: Benzodiazepine anticonvulsants, Benzodiazepines

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Aug 13, 2024. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is diazepam buccal?

Diazepam buccal is used in children 2 to 5 years old to occasionally treat a certain type of seizure that is different from their usual pattern. Diazepam buccal is not for long-term use.

Diazepam may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Diazepam buccal side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Diazepam can slow or stop your breathing, especially if you have recently used an opioid medication, alcohol, a sleeping pill, or use other medicines that cause drowsiness or slow breathing. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.

Tell your doctor right away if you have new or sudden changes in mood or behavior, including new or worse depression or anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, more active or talkative, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

DiazePAM may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe drowsiness or dizziness;

• unusual skin color;

• trouble breathing;

• confusion; or

• new or worsening seizures.

Common side effects of diazePAM may include:

• drowsiness; or

• headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Related/similar drugs

gabapentin, acetaminophen, escitalopram, tramadol, duloxetine, cyclobenzaprine, hydroxyzine

Warnings

Diazepam can slow or stop your breathing, especially if you have recently used an opioid medication, alcohol, a sleeping pill, or use other medicines that cause drowsiness or slow breathing.

Diazepam may be habit-forming. Misuse can cause addiction, overdose, or death. Keep the medication where others cannot get to it.

You may have life-threatening withdrawal symptoms that may last for several weeks to more than 12 months if you stop using diazepam suddenly. Do not change or stop your dose without your doctor's advice.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use diazepam buccal if you are allergic to it or any of its ingredients, or if you have narrow-angle glaucoma.

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:

• asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, bronchitis or other breathing disorder;

• open-angle glaucoma;

• depression, a mood disorder, or suicidal thoughts or actions; or

• kidney or liver disease.

Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking diazepam. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your family or caregivers should also watch for sudden changes in your behavior.

Diazepam buccal is not approved for use in children younger than 2 years old, children older than 5 years old, adults, and teenagers.

Do not give diazePAM to a child without medical advice.

How should I use diazepam buccal?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed. Never use diazepam in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed.

Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug addiction. MISUSE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medicine where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.

Diazepam doses are based on weight in children. Your child's dose may change if the child gains or loses weight.

Read and carefully follow the Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Your healthcare provider will show you how to properly give this medicine to a child and what type of seizures to give it for. Make sure you know how to recognize the signs of a seizure in the person you are caring for. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.

Diazepam buccal may be taken with or without food.

Do not split the diazepam buccal film or give with liquids. Allow the buccal film to dissolve in the child's mouth without chewing or swallowing.

Your child's doctor may prescribe up to 2 doses to treat a single seizure episode. If you need to give a second dose, it should be given 4 hours after the first dose. Do not give more than 2 doses per seizure episode.

Keep diazepam with you at all times and make sure you know what symptoms to watch for.

The caregiver should note when the dose was given and should watch the child closely to check their breathing, skin color, and condition. Do not give a second dose if your child's condition gets worse.

Do not give this medicine for more than 1 seizure episode every 5 days, or more than 5 episodes each month.

If your child spits the medicine out shortly after taking it, attempt to give another dose using a new film. If you are unable to give the dose, get emergency medical help.

You may have life-threatening withdrawal symptoms that may last for several weeks to more than 12 months if you stop using diazepam suddenly. Do not change or stop your dose without your doctor's advice.

Do not keep leftover medicine. Read and carefully follow the instructions provided with this medicine about how to safely dispose of any unused portion. Just one dose can cause death in someone using it accidentally or improperly.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the medicine in the foil pouch until ready to use. Keep your medicine in a place where no one can use it improperly.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Diazepam buccal is used when needed and you are not likely to miss a dose. Call your doctor if the medicine is not effective.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of diazepam can be fatal if you take it with alcohol, opioid medicine, or other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing.

What should I avoid while using diazepam buccal?

Avoid drinking alcohol or alcohol containing products. Dangerous side effects or death could occur.

Avoid hazardous activities that could be life-threatening if you have an unexpected seizure and until you know how diazePAM will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

What other drugs will affect diazepam buccal?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.

Using diazepam with other drugs that that make you drowsy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous side effects or death. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Many drugs can affect diazepam. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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