From the Guidelines
The maximum intravenous (IV) dose of Diazepam is 10 mg.
Dosage Information
- According to the evidence from 1, the recommended dose for Diazepam is 5-10 mg every 6-8 hours via PO/IV/IM.
- The study from 1 provides more specific dosage information for pediatric patients, but for adults, the maximum single dose is not explicitly stated to be higher than 10 mg.
- The evidence from 1 also supports a loading dose of 5-10 mg for Diazepam, with a maintenance dose of 0.03-0.1 mg/kg every 0.5-6 hours as needed.
Important Considerations
- It is essential to note that Diazepam has active metabolites that can prolong sedation, especially in patients with renal failure 1.
- The medication can cause respiratory depression, hypotension, and phlebitis, especially when injected into peripheral veins 1.
- The dosage and administration of Diazepam should be carefully considered in different patient populations, including pediatric and adult patients, to ensure safe and effective use.
From the FDA Drug Label
This injection may be repeated if necessary at 10 to 15 minute intervals up to a maximum dose of 30 mg.
- The maximum intravenous (IV) dose of Diazepam is 30 mg for the treatment of Status Epilepticus and Severe Recurrent Convulsive Seizures 2.
- For other conditions, such as endoscopic procedures, the maximum IV dose is 20 mg 2.
From the Research
Maximum Intravenous (IV) Dose of Diazepam
- The maximum intravenous (IV) dose of diazepam is not explicitly stated in the provided studies 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- However, study 4 reports a case where diazepam was administered via continuous intravenous infusion at a dosage of 8 mg/h to control status epilepticus in a patient with anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome.
- Study 7 investigated the intravenous administration of diazepam in patients with chronic liver disease and found that the dose required was 17.9 +/- 1.4 mg, which was significantly lower than the dose required in healthy controls (27 +/- 5.4 mg) 7.
- Study 5 evaluated the bioavailability of diazepam after intravenous, oral, and rectal administration in adult epileptic patients, but does not provide information on the maximum IV dose 5.
- Studies 3 and 6 do not provide information on the maximum IV dose of diazepam, but rather focus on the pharmacokinetics of diazepam administered via autoinjector and the sorption of diazepam to PVC- and non-PVC-based tubes in administration sets, respectively 3, 6.