Medication: Diazepam

Your cat has been prescribed diazepam. Diazepam may have been prescribed to treat conditions such as behavioral issues, anxiety-related conditions, unremitting seizures (status epilepticus) or as a muscle relaxant. 

Key points:
• Benzodiazepine.
• Fast acting anticonvulsant for cats in status epilepticus when given intravenously or per rectum.
• Anxiolytic.
• Muscle relaxant.
• Action may be prolonged in geriatric cats.
• Use with caution in cats with liver or kidney disease.
• Care with use in animals in shock or coma or with respiratory depression.
• Use with caution in debilitated, obese, dehydrated, anemic animals.
• Dosage: as required given per rectum during seizures.

This information sheet is designed to help answer commonly asked questions and help you give the medication safely and effectively to your pet. It does not contain all available information for this medication. If you have other questions or need more information, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist. Always follow the dosing instructions provided by your veterinarian.

Name

• Diazepam (die-AZE-e PAM).

Brand name

• Diazedor (UK).
• Solupam (Northern Ireland).
• Ziapam (Northern Ireland).
• Valium.

Class of medication

• Benzodiazepine.

Storage

• Store at room temperature (15-30°C/59-86°F).
• Store away from heat and sunlight (keep glass vials within the packaging).

Your veterinarian has prescribed diazepam for the control of epileptic seizures. You should keep the medication where you can access it urgently in an emergency situation – ie when your cat continues to seizure for more than 3 minutes (or as your veterinarian directs). It may also have been prescribed if your cat has a muscle cramping condition (such as with back pain) to provide muscle relaxation.

The product is available as tablets which can be given by mouth. The drug does not last very long in the body and so tablets usually have to be given three times daily. The tablets can either be administered directly into your cat’s mouth or along with some food. If your cat vomits after receiving tablets it may be helpful to give them with some food. Tolerance to medication develops within a few days and increasing doses may be required to have the same effect.

There is also an injectable form which your veterinarian can give or may be used per-rectum in an emergency.

The following side-effects have been reported:

• Sleepiness.
• Disorientation.
• Wobbliness.
• Hepatic (liver) necrosis is cats is rarely reported.

Drug interactions can occur with:

• Beta agonists may extend the action of diazepam and use with propranolol can cause low blood pressure.
• Marked sedation may be seen if used with antihistamines or opioid analgesics.
• Cimetidine, erythromycin and omeprazole may increase blood levels of diazepam.
• Diazepam may increase the effects of digoxin.
• Dexamethasone can reduce the effects of diazepam.

Diazepam should be administered according to your veterinarian’s instructions. It is usually only given as one off doses as tolerance develops very quickly. If your cat is receiving medication for seizures, then you should never change or stop any treatment without consulting your veterinarian.

Dispose of any unused diazepam safely – do not flush down the toilet or sink. Ask your veterinary team if they take back medication for disposal. Do not save diazepam for future use or give to other pets.

Overdosage can cause drowsiness and depression of breathing so contact your veterinarian if you are concerned you may have given too much. Severe allergic reactions may occur with repeated doses. Severe liver damage has been reported in cats after repeated oral doses.

If your pet is unwell, contact your veterinarian for advice.

Can cause skin irritation so always wash hands after handling and wear gloves when using. 

Diazepam should only be given to the animal that it has been prescribed for:

• Do not give to other pets in the household.
• Use with care in pregnant or lactating animals and only if advised by your veterinarian.
• If accidentally given to other pets, contact your veterinarian for advice.

If accidentally consumed by a human, speak to your primary care physician or poison control center.

If your cat is epileptic your veterinarian will want to make regular checks on them to ensure the drugs they are receiving are effective and to adjust the doses if necessary.

Further information

If you have any concerns, further information on diazepam can be found on the package insert and the following websites:

Europe & UK

• Diazedor (5 mg/ml solution) dogs and cats: vmd.defra.gov.uk/ProductInformationDatabase/files/QRD_Documents/QRD-Auth_1369715.PDF.
• Solupam (5 mg/ml solution) dogs and cats: vmd.defra.gov.uk/productinformationdatabase/files/QRD_Documents/QRD-Auth_1550712.PDF.
• Ziapam (5 mg/ml solution) dogs and cats: www.noahcompendium.co.uk/?id=-468807.
• Valium (tablets).

USA

• There is no veterinary licensed product in the US but human licensed products can be prescribed by veterinarians for your pet.

Always follow the recommended dosage and contact your veterinary team or pharmacist if you have any questions regarding your cat’s medication.