Intracavernous application of diazepam: An alternative route of the seizure treatment − an experimental study in rabbits

Backround : There is a general need to terminate seizures as soon as possible using anticonvulsant drugs via an intravenous (i.v.) route, but it is often difficult to achieve a secure i.v. line during the seizure, especially in children. However, it has been demonstrated that high volumes of fluid c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pediatrics international 2002-04, Vol.44 (2), p.163-167
Main Authors: DÜndarÖz, RuŞen, DeĞim, Tuncer, Sizlan, Ali, YaŞar, Mehmet, Denli, Metin, Gökçay, Erdal
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Anticonvulsants - administration & dosage
Anticonvulsants - pharmacokinetics
Anticonvulsants - therapeutic use
diazepam
Diazepam - administration & dosage
Diazepam - pharmacokinetics
Diazepam - therapeutic use
Humans
intracavernous route
intravascular access
Male
Penis
Rabbits
seizure
Seizures - drug therapy
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Summary:Backround : There is a general need to terminate seizures as soon as possible using anticonvulsant drugs via an intravenous (i.v.) route, but it is often difficult to achieve a secure i.v. line during the seizure, especially in children. However, it has been demonstrated that high volumes of fluid can be injected into the corpora cavernosa. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the absorption properties of diazepam (DZ) after intracavernous (i.c.) administration and whether therapeutically significant plasma concentrations can be obtained or not. Methods : Diazepam was administered to rabbits using both the i.v. and i.c route with a dose of 1 mg/kg. Blood samples were collected from the saphenous vein for a time period of 30 min. The levels of DZ in the blood were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography and their blood profiles were obtained and compared. Results : The insertions of the needle using this method were successful in all cases. The average time of inserting the needle was less than 5 s. There was no statistically significant difference between the i.v. and i.c. administration with regard of the blood DZ levels. Within 48 h after the experiment, none of the animals demonstrated any evidence of infection or disability. Conclusion : Our results demonstrated that commercially available parenteral DZ can be absorbed rapidly by the i.c. route in rabbits. Further studies are needed on the feasibility of this method before it is evaluated in humans.
ISSN:1328-8067
1442-200X
DOI:10.1046/j.1328-8067.2001.01530.x