What diazepam looks like
A photo of a tube of diazepam.
Source: KidsHealth
Rectal diazepam, also known as Stesolid®, comes in a prefilled yellow rectal tube. The tube has a nozzle on the end. One tube has 5mg of diazepam in 2.5mL of liquid. You give it rectally into the bottom.
The prescription the doctor gives you will tell you how much diazepam to give. You will also find this information in the seizure plan and on the medicine packet.
How to store diazepam
Keep diazepam in a safe place out of sight and reach of children.
A photo of the box and foil packet that Stesolid® comes in.
Source: KidsHealth
Store the diazepam at room temperature. Don’t leave the diazepam in a hot place like your car or bathroom. Keep it away from light. You must keep the diazepam in the foil packaging.
Diazepam expiry date
There is an expiry date on the box. Regularly check the diazepam hasn’t expired. Return any expired diazepam to your pharmacy.
If you need an ongoing supply, you can get this from your health professional.
How to prepare the diazepam
A video demonstrating how to prepare diazepam (Stesolid®) before giving it to your child.
Source: KidsHealth
Steps on how to prepare the diazepam
Follow these steps if your child’s seizure is still actively going at 4 minutes.
Before you start, make sure you know what dose of diazepam your child needs. They may not need the full tube. Their dose will be on your seizure plan and the packet.
Get your diazepam - Stesolid® tube.
Open the foil pack of a Stesolid® tube.
Remove the cap of the Stesolid® tube by turning it 2 or 3 times without pulling.
Check the dose your child needs. If your child needs 2.5mg, push out half of the liquid from the 5mg tube.
How to hold the Stesolid® tube.
Instructions for giving rectal diazepam
Put your child in the recovery position.
Hold one buttock gently to one side so that you can see the entry to their bottom (anus).
Gently insert the nozzle of the Stesolid® tube into your child’s bottom. Point the tube slightly downwards.
A child receiving Stesolid® rectally.
For pēpi (babies) and tamariki under 3 years old - insert the nozzle halfway. For tamariki aged 3 years and older, insert the whole nozzle. Stesolid® tubes have marks on the nozzle to guide you.
Give the diazepam by firmly squeezing the Stesolid® tube between your index finger and thumb.
Keep the Stesolid® tube squeezed while you remove the nozzle from your child’s bottom.
Hold your child’s buttocks together for about a minute to make sure the diazepam doesn’t leak out. There may be a small amount of liquid left in the Stesolid® tube, but this doesn’t matter.
See an emergency plan with steps on what to do if your child has a seizure and how to give rectal diazepam.
Print the emergency plan and keep it with the diazepam. Refer to this plan when your child has a seizure.
What to do after giving your child diazepam
After you have given diazepam
- watch your child’s breathing
- continue to time the seizure
Dial 111 within New Zealand and ask for urgent medical help if:
- the seizure does not stop within 1 minute of giving the diazepam
- you are worried about your child’s breathing
If your doctor has given you specific instructions on when to call 111, follow their instructions.
Printable emergency seizure plan
An emergency seizure plan is a step-by-step guide for what to do if your child is having a seizure. It includes steps to take for giving rectal diazepam.
The emergency seizure plan is available as a flow chart or as text instructions.
Print out a plan and keep a copy with your supply of medicine.
Follow the links to see all available formats. The emergency seizure plans are both available as either a flow chart or as text instructions.
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Acknowledgements
Illustrations by Dr Greta File. Property of KidsHealth.
The content on this page has been developed and approved by the Paediatric Neurology Clinical Network, Paediatric Society New Zealand.
