title: Plasma concentration of diazepam and N-desmethyldiazepam in children after a single rectal or intramuscular dose of diazepam.
abstract: 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.
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003975:Diazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D003708:Nordazepam / Q000097:blood*; D012007:Rectum; D013488:Suppositories; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D013488:Suppositories; D003708:Nordazepam; D003975:Diazepam