Valtoco vs. Diastat Acudial: Comparison
Are Valtoco and Diastat Acudial the Same Thing?
Valtoco (diazepam nasal spray) and Diastat Acudial (diazepam) Rectal Gel are benzodiazepines used to treat epilepsy.
Valtoco is a nasal spray used for the acute treatment of intermittent, stereotypic episodes of frequent seizure activity (i.e., seizure clusters, acute repetitive seizures) that are distinct from a patient's usual seizure pattern in patients with epilepsy 6 years of age and older.
Diastat Acudial is a rectal gel used for management of selected, refractory, patients with epilepsy, on stable regimens of AEDs, who require intermittent use of diazepam to control bouts of increased seizure activity.
Side effects of Valtoco and Diastat Acudial that are similar include nasal discomfort/irritation, drowsiness, headache, diarrhea, loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, euphoria, rash, and asthma.
Side effects of Diastat Acudial that are different from Valtoco include sleepiness, tiredness, pain, nausea, vomiting, stomach or abdominal pain, nervousness, dilated blood vessels, unsteadiness, blurred vision, sleep problems (insomnia), and slurred speech.
Both Valtoco and Diastat Acudial may interact with other psychotropic agents or other CNS depressants, narcotics, alcohol, antidepressants, barbiturates, cimetidine, quinidine, tranylcypromine, ketoconazole, troleandomycin, clotrimazole, carbamazepine, phenytoin, dexamethasone, phenobarbital, omeprazole, propranolol, imipramine, cyclosporine, paclitaxel, terfenadine, theophylline, and warfarin.
Diastat Acudial may also interact with phenothiazines, MAO inhibitors, and rifampin.
Abrupt discontinuation of chronic Valtoco or Diastat Acudial use may result in withdrawal symptoms, such as convulsions, tremor, abdominal and muscle cramps, vomiting and sweating, and may also be associated with a temporary increase in the frequency and/or severity of seizures.
What Are Possible Side Effects of Valtoco?
Side effects of Valtoco include:
- drowsiness,
- headache,
- nasal discomfort,
- diarrhea,
- loss of coordination,
- dizziness,
- euphoria,
- rash, and
- asthma
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What Are Possible Side Effects of Diastat Acudial?
Common side effects of Diastat Acudial include:
- blurred vision,
- dry mouth,
- constipation,
- dizziness,
- drowsiness,
- headache,
- vomiting, or
- tiredness.
Abrupt withdrawal of chronic Valtoco use may also be associated with a temporary increase in the frequency and/or severity of seizures.
What is Valtoco?
Valtoco (diazepam nasal spray) is a benzodiazepine used for the acute treatment of intermittent, stereotypic episodes of frequent seizure activity (i.e., seizure clusters, acute repetitive seizures) that are distinct from a patient’s usual seizure pattern in patients with epilepsy 6 years of age and older.
What is Diastat Acudial?
Diastat Acudial (diazepam) Rectal Gel is a benzodiazepine used for rectal administration in the management of selected, refractory, patients with epilepsy, on stable regimens of AEDs, who require intermittent use of diazepam to control bouts of increased seizure activity.
What Drugs Interact With Valtoco?
Valtoco may interact with drug such as:
- opioids,
- other CNS depressants (e.g., valproate),
- alcohol,
- cimetidine,
- quinidine,
- tranylcypromine,
- ketoconazole,
- troleandomycin,
- clotrimazole,
- carbamazepine,
- phenytoin,
- dexamethasone,
- phenobarbital,
- omeprazole,
- propranolol,
- imipramine,
- cyclosporine,
- paclitaxel,
- terfenadine,
- theophylline, and
- warfarin
What Drugs Interact With Diastat Acudial?
Diastat Acudial may interact with other psychotropic agents or other CNS depressants, phenothiazines, narcotics, barbiturates, MAO inhibitors, antidepressants, cimetidine, quinidine, tranylcypromine, ketoconazole, troleandomycin, clotrimazole, rifampin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, dexamethasone, phenobarbital, omeprazole, propranolol, imipramine, cyclosporine, paclitaxel, terfenadine, theophylline, and warfarin.
How Should Valtoco be Taken?
Valtoco 5 mg and 10 mg doses are administered as a single spray intranasally into one nostril. Administration of 15 mg and 20 mg doses requires two nasal spray devices, one spray into each nostril. A second dose, when required, may be administered at least 4 hours after the initial dose.
How Should Diastat Acudial be Taken?
The recommended dose of Diastat Acudial rectal gel is 0.2-0.5 mg/kg depending on age.