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Data updated: May 26, 2026

DIASTAT ACUDIAL (diazepam)

CNS Approved 1997-07-29

Diastat Acudial (diazepam rectal gel) is a benzodiazepine indicated for the management of pediatric and adult patients (2 years and older) with epilepsy, on stable regimens of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), who require intermittent use of diazepam to control bouts of increased seizure activity. This is typically defined as acute repetitive seizures or cluster seizures that are distinct from the patient’s usual seizure pattern.

Source: FDA Label • BAUSCH • Benzodiazepine

How DIASTAT ACUDIAL Works

Diazepam is a benzodiazepine that exerts its effects by enhancing the activity of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. It binds to specific benzodiazepine receptors on the GABA-A receptor complex, increasing the frequency of chloride channel opening. This results in an influx of chloride ions, leading to hyperpolarization of the neuronal membrane and a subsequent reduction in

1
Indication
--
Phase 3 Trials
28
Years on Market

Details

Status
Prescription
First Approved
1997-07-29
Routes
RECTAL
Dosage Forms
GEL

Companies

Active Ingredient: DIAZEPAM

DIASTAT ACUDIAL Approval History

1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Original
New Indication
New Form
Label Update
30 FDA actions from 1997 to 2023
Jul 2023 SUPPL
Mfg · Manufacturing (CMC)
Jan 2023 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Mar 2021 SUPPL
Label · Labeling

What DIASTAT ACUDIAL Treats

7 indications

DIASTAT ACUDIAL is approved for 7 conditions since its original approval in 1997. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

  • Anxiety Disorder
  • Alcohol Withdrawal
  • Muscle Spasm
  • Spasticity
  • Athetosis
  • Stiff-Man Syndrome
  • Seizures
Source: FDA Label

DIASTAT ACUDIAL Boxed Warning

RISKS FROM CONCOMITANT USE WITH OPIOIDS; ABUSE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION; and DEPENDENCE AND WITHDRAWAL REACTIONS • Concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate. Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required. Follow patients for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation (see WARNINGS and PRE...

DIASTAT ACUDIAL Competitive Set

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Filters applied: drops same-active-ingredient (505(b)(2) reformulations), route-mismatch (topical vs systemic), and cross-therapeutic-area matches in same-indication rings.

Drugs Similar to DIASTAT ACUDIAL

3 of 20

FDA-approved drugs for similar conditions. Compare mechanisms and indications to understand treatment alternatives.

DIAZEPAM INTENSOL
DIAZEPAM
7 shared
Hikma
Shared indications:
Anxiety DisorderAlcohol WithdrawalMuscle Spasm +4 more
AFINITOR
EVEROLIMUS
1 shared
Novartis
Shared indications:
AMRIX
CYCLOBENZAPRINE HYDROCHLORIDE
1 shared
Teva
Shared indications:
Muscle Spasm
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Clinical Trial Registry

18 trials
Trial Sponsor ID Phase Status Title
NCT03818932 results posted 123192 Ph 2, Ph 3 completed Nonopioid Analgesia After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
NCT07020988 UP0127 Ph 1 completed A Study to Assess the Time to Onset of Action of Staccato Alprazolam Versus Midazolam and Diazepam in Healthy Participants
NCT05361447 21-007195 Ph 1, Ph 2 withdrawn Diazepam Trial in GAD65 Associated Epilepsy
NCT06103188 results posted M001 Ph 3 completed Comparing the Effect of Melatonin, Diazepam, and Placebo on Decreasing the Level of Anxiety Preoperatively
NCT01938092 results posted 1208827 Ph 2 completed Vaginal Diazepam for the Treatment of Female Pelvic Pain
NCT03818919 results posted 123191 Ph 2 completed Nonopioid Analgesia After Rotator Cuff Repair
NCT02904265 results posted 16-002442 Ph 2, Ph 3 terminated Efficacy Study of Acetazolamide Versus Diazepam in Continuous Spike and Wave/Landau-Kleffner Syndrome
NCT01364558 results posted 1012M93599 Ph 1 completed A Study of Diazepam After Intranasal and Intravenous Administration to Healthy Volunteers
NCT02494180 results posted KW/FR-15-021(83-22) Ph 4 completed A Non-inferiority Trial on Pain Relief During Oocyte Retrieval
NCT03825809 1231914 Ph 2, Ph 3 recruiting Nonopioid Analgesia After Labral Surgery
NCT02646124 results posted 2015-4639 Ph 2, Ph 3 completed Diazepam Use With Standard Management for Acute Low Back Pain
NCT02374567 GAP GAP-2014 Ph 3 terminated Pharmacovigilance in Gerontopsychiatric Patients
NCT01417078 results posted DZNS-ARS-103 Ph 2 completed A Pharmacokinetic Study of a Single-Dose of Diazepam Nasal Spray in Adult Epileptic Patients Experiencing a Seizure Episode
NCT02935972 Diazepam and TRUS Biopsy Ph 2, Ph 3 completed Combined Intravenous Diazepam, Local Periprostatic Nerve Block for Prostate Biopsy
NCT01438749 BP25259 Ph 1 completed A Study of The Abuse Liability Potential of RO4917838 in Recreational Drug Users
NCT01675648 Lofex00428 Ph 4 completed Lofexidine for Inpatient Opiate Detox in Singapore
NCT01939093 MAP NRCT-53069 Ph 4 completed Therapeutic Effect of Quetiapine on Methamphetamine-Induced Psychosis
NCT01318369 Delta-pain HEEL-2011-01 Ph 2 completed Efficacy Study of Δ9-THC to Treat Chronic Abdominal Pain
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Active Pipeline

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Ongoing clinical trials by development phase

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Key Completed Trials

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Completed studies with published results, ranked by significance

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Trial Timeline

Full development history with FDA approval milestones

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Understanding FDA Approval Types
Count Type What it means
- ORIG Original approval - drug first enters market
- SUPPL - Efficacy New indication (new disease/condition approved)
- SUPPL - Labeling Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates)
- SUPPL - Manufacturing Production changes (new facility)
- SUPPL - Chemistry Formulation changes (new dosage strength)

Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.

DIASTAT ACUDIAL FDA Label Details

Indications & Usage

FDA Label (PDF)

DIASTAT ACUDIAL is indicated for the treatment of Anxiety Disorder; Alcohol Withdrawal; Muscle Spasm; Spasticity; Athetosis; Stiff-Man Syndrome; Seizures.

⚠️ BOXED WARNING

WARNING: RISKS FROM CONCOMITANT USE WITH OPIOIDS; ABUSE, MISUSE, AND ADDICTION; and DEPENDENCE AND WITHDRAWAL REACTIONS • Concomitant use of benzodiazepines and opioids may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing of these drugs in patient...

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Data Sources

Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.