Abstract
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.