Valtoco
Valtoco (diazepam) is a fast-acting prescription medication used for short-term treatment of frequent seizure activity in adults and children 2 years and older. It comes as a ready-to-use nasal spray device, and your dose depends on your age and weight. Your prescriber will give you instructions on how to use the spray. Since it's a benzodiazepine, it's classified as a controlled substance. Side effects include feeling sleepy, headache, and nasal discomfort.
What is Valtoco (diazepam)?
What is Valtoco (diazepam) used for?
- Short-term treatment of frequent seizures activity in people with epilepsy who are 2 years and older
How Valtoco (diazepam) works
Valtoco (diazepam) is a benzodiazepine. It works by enhancing the effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a chemical in your brain that slows down nerve activity. By boosting GABA’s calming action, Valtoco (diazepam) can stop or reduce seizure activity quickly.
Drug facts
Risks and warnings for Valtoco (diazepam)
Valtoco (diazepam) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Extreme drowsiness and difficulty breathing
- Risk factors: Taking Valtoco (diazepam) with opioid medications or alcohol
Using Valtoco (diazepam) with opioid medications can cause severe drowsiness, trouble breathing, and can even result in death. If you and your prescriber decide you must use both, you'll be prescribed the lowest amount for the shortest time possible. Get medical help right away if you have trouble breathing or if you can't wake up easily.
Risk of misuse and addiction
- Risk factors: Taking higher than recommended doses of Valtoco (diazepam) | | History of substance of alcohol use disorder
It's possible to misuse medications like Valtoco (diazepam). Misuse means taking the medication in a different way than prescribed. Mixing it with alcohol or other medications can cause dangerous breathing problems, overdose, or even death. Take Valtoco (diazepam) exactly as prescribed and don't start any new medications without first checking with them to see if it's safe.
Dependence and withdrawal
- Risk factors: Taking with alcohol or other medications | Taking Valtoco (diazepam) for a long time or using higher doses
If you use Valtoco (diazepam) for a long time or at a high dose, you might become physically dependent on it. If you stop suddenly, you could have serious withdrawal problems, including life-threatening seizures. Don't stop taking this medication without talking to your prescriber first. Valtoco (diazepam) should only be used as needed for seizure attacks, no more than once every 5 days or 5 times in a month.
Difficulty with concentration and focus
- Risk factors: Taking with alcohol | Taking other medications that cause drowsiness
Taking Valtoco (diazepam) can make you sleepy and affect your concentration and focus. Avoid activities that require you to be alert, like driving, riding a bike, or using machinery, until you know how the medication affects you. If you've had a seizure attack, remember that it might be against the law to drive for a few months afterward, even if you feel normal after taking Valtoco (diazepam).
Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
Antiseizure medications like Valtoco (diazepam) can raise your risk of suicide or thoughts of suicide. Pay attention to any new or worsening depression or any unusual changes in mood, and tell your care team if something feels wrong. If you ever think about hurting yourself, call 911 or get medical help right away.
Increased eye pressure in people with glaucoma
- Risk factors: Glaucoma
Benzodiazepines can raise eye pressure if you have glaucoma. If you have open-angle glaucoma (the most common type), make sure you are taking the right treatment for it before using Valtoco (diazepam).
Harm to unborn babies
- Risk factors: Taking Valtoco (diazepam) while pregnant
Using Valtoco (diazepam) late in pregnancy can cause your newborn to be very sleepy or have withdrawal symptoms like irritability, restlessness, tremors, or trouble feeding. Watch closely for these symptoms and let your care team know right away if your newborn experiences these. Tell your prescriber if you’re pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant.
There is also a North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry that tracks the safety of antiseizure medications during pregnancy. If you're pregnant and taking Valtoco (diazepam), it's encouraged that you enroll in the registry to help researchers learn more about the risks.
Side effects of Valtoco (diazepam)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Nasal discomfort (5%)
- Changes in taste (2%)
- Nosebleed (2%)
- Runny nose (1%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Sleepiness
- Headache
- Diarrhea
- Coordination problems
- Dizziness
Valtoco (diazepam) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Dangerously slow breathing: shortness of breath, bluish-colored lips, fingers, or toes
- Severe sedation: drowsiness, slowed breathing, confusion, memory problems, slurred speech, loss of consciousness
The following Valtoco (diazepam) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- CNS depression—slow or shallow breathing, shortness of breath, feeling faint, dizziness, confusion, trouble staying awake
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm, worsening mood, feelings of depression
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Dryness or irritation inside the nose
- Headache
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Pros and cons of Valtoco (diazepam)
Pros
- Approved for people 2 years of age and older
- Fast-acting and works within a few minutes
- Easy for someone to give the medication as a nasal spray
Cons
- Can cause sleepiness, headache, and nasal discomfort
- Limit for how often you can use it
- Might not be the safest option during pregnancy or breastfeeding
Pharmacist tips for Valtoco (diazepam)
- Valtoco (diazepam) should only be used as needed to treat seizure attacks, which are several seizures happening close together and not like your usual seizures. Don't use it every day or for long-term control.
- Valtoco (diazepam) shouldn't be used more than once every 5 days or more than 5 times in one month. Using it more often than recommended can raise the risk of misuse and dependence.
- Seizure attacks can happen at any time, so keep Valtoco (diazepam) with you or your child whenever possible.
- Using Valtoco (diazepam) late in pregnancy can cause your newborn to have sleepiness or withdrawal symptoms like irritability, restlessness, or tremors. Talk to your prescriber if you are pregnant. You can also join the pregnancy registry which helps track the safety of this medication during pregnancy.
- Tell your prescriber if you're breastfeeding because Valtoco (diazepam) can pass into your breast milk. If your baby is experiencing more sleepiness, poor feeding, or poor weight gain, get medical help right away.
- Store Valtoco (diazepam) at room temperature and keep it in the blister pack until you're ready to use it.
How to use Valtoco (diazepam):
- Valtoco (diazepam) comes with an instruction manual with helpful pictures. Note that the steps are a little different depending on the dose.
- The nasal spray is ready to use once you take it out of the blister pack. Don't "prime" it or press the plunger until it's inside the nostril. Otherwise, you'll lose the dose of medication.
- After giving the dose, stay with the person and watch for ongoing seizures or changes in breathing or skin color. Call for emergency help if seizures last too long, happen too often, or if you notice changes in breathing or skin color.
- Write down the date and time of the seizure attack, the type and number of seizures you saw, and when you gave Valtoco (diazepam). This helps the prescriber understand what happened.
- Your prescriber might recommend a second dose if needed. Give the second dose at least 4 hours after the first, and don't give it if the person has trouble breathing or is more sleepy than usual.
- Each nasal spray device can only be used one time. Throw away the used device safely where children and pets cannot reach it.
Common questions about Valtoco (diazepam)
Yes, Valtoco (diazepam) is a schedule IV controlled substance because it carries a risk for misuse and dependence. To help keep you safe, only use this medication as prescribed.
No, Valtoco (diazepam) isn't a narcotic. Narcotics typically refer to opioid medications, but Valtoco (diazepam) is a benzodiazepine.
It takes within a few minutes for Valtoco (diazepam) to start working to treat a seizure. If a second dose is needed, you must wait at least 4 hours after the first one. If you or your child’s seizure does not improve after using Valtoco (diazepam), call 911 and get medical help right away.
It takes about 8 to 10 days on average for most of Valtoco (diazepam) to leave your system after a single dose. This time frame is based on the medication's half-life, which is the time it takes for your body to clear half of the dose. It can differ from person to person depending on other factors, such as your age and whether you have liver problems.
Valtoco (diazepam) is only good until the expiration date printed on the box. If you use it after it expires, it might not work as well to control a seizure. If your medication has expired, contact your pharmacist or prescriber for a refill.
Each Valtoco (diazepam) nasal spray device contains one spray only. If you are prescribed a higher dose that requires two sprays (such as 15 mg or 20 mg), you will receive a two-spray blister pack, but each individual device still contains just one spray.
Benzodiazepines like Valtoco (diazepam) can make you sleepy. Let your prescriber if you're taking other medications that make you sleepy, such as diphenhydramine or beta blockers. Taking them together can worsen sleepiness. Avoid driving or doing anything that needs focus until you know how this medication affects you.
Yes, Valtoco is a brand-name medication of a nasal spray that contains diazepam as the active ingredient. It's FDA approved to treat frequent seizure activity.
How to save using GoodRx
Valtoco (diazepam) dosage
Carton| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 doses of 5mg | 1 carton | $708.39 | $708.39 |
| 2 doses of 10mg | 1 carton | $720.01 | $720.01 |
| 2 doses of 15mg | 1 carton | $707.87 | $707.87 |
| 2 doses of 20mg | 1 carton | $707.50 | $707.50 |
| 5 doses of 5mg | 1 carton | $1,841.75 | $1,841.75 |
| 5 doses of 10mg | 1 carton | $1,839.55 | $1,839.55 |
| 5 doses of 15mg | 1 carton | $1,837.55 | $1,837.55 |
| 5 doses of 20mg | 1 carton | $1,836.59 | $1,836.59 |
Typical dosage for Valtoco (diazepam)
The dose of Valtoco (diazepam) is based on your age and weight:
- Age 2 to under 6 years: 0.5 mg/kg
- Age 6 to under 12 years: 0.3 mg/kg
- Age 12 years and older: 0.2 mg/kg
Valtoco (diazepam) comes in 5 mg, 10 mg, 15 mg, and 20 mg strengths.
- 5 mg or 10 mg: Give 1 spray into one nostril. Each blister pack contains one spray, which is the full dose.
- 15 mg or 20 mg doses: Give 1 spray into each nostril. Each blister pack contains 2 sprays, and you must use both (one in each nostril) to get the full dose.
If your prescriber recommends a second dose, wait at least 4 hours after the first dose and use a new blister pack. Don’t use more than two doses for a single seizure episode.
Valtoco (diazepam) shouldn't be used more than once every 5 days or more than 5 times in one month.
How much does Valtoco (diazepam) cost?
$707.50
Valtoco (diazepam) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Valtoco (diazepam) will not be safe for you to take.
- Allergy to diazepam
- Acute narrow-angle glaucoma
What are alternatives to Valtoco (diazepam)?
Valtoco (diazepam) images
