Repeated doses further increase blood levels. In humans, comparable blood levels of diazepam injection were obtained in maternal and cord blood indicating rapid placental transfer of the drug. Contraindications Myasthenia gravis, infants, known hypersensitivity to the drug. Warnings Diazepam injection should not be administered to patients in shock or coma. Rare reports of apnea or cardiac arrest have been noted, usually following i.v. administration, especially in elderly or very ill patients and those with limited pulmonary reserve.
Duration is generally brief.
Resuscitative facilities should be available. Since lingual obstruction of the airway may occur, particularly in children and in the elderly, caution is required to maintain a free airway in patients receiving diazepam. Rapid injection or the use of veins with too small a lumen carries the risk of thrombophlebitis. Intra-arterial injection must be carefully avoided on account of the danger of necrosis. Diazepam should not be diluted with parenteral fluids.