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Plasma concentration of diazepam and N-desmethyldiazepam in children after a single rectal or intramuscular dose of diazepam

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Summary

The absorption of diazepam and N-desmethyldiazepam after administration of diazepam solution for parenteral injection per rectum and intramuscularly was studied in 9 children (ages 3–12 years). Rectal administration of diazepam 1 mg/kg led to rapid absorption with plasma levels of 270–320 ng/ml within 5 min, and peak levels of 600–1300 ng/ml 10–60 min after administration. The absorption was comparable to that after intramuscular administration. A second peak in plasma diazepam concentration 6–12 h after dosing was observed in 6 children, which may have been due to mobilization of diazepam from the gastrointestinal mucosa produced by feeding 4 h after administration of the drug. A slowly increasing plasma level of N-desmethyldiazepam was observed during the first 24 h after administration of diazepam.

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Meberg, A., Langslet, A., Bredesen, J.E. et al. Plasma concentration of diazepam and N-desmethyldiazepam in children after a single rectal or intramuscular dose of diazepam. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 14, 273–276 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00560461

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00560461

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