Cost, Dosage, and Alternatives for Nayzilam: Its Use, Administration, and Related Details
Nayzilam, a nasal spray medication, has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2019 as a short-term treatment for seizure clusters due to epilepsy in adults and children aged 12 years and older. This new drug, classified as a schedule IV substance, is a valuable addition to the arsenal of treatments for epilepsy, a brain disorder that can cause seizures.
However, it's essential to understand that Nayzilam contains midazolam, a drug from the benzodiazepine class, and its use during pregnancy hasn't been studied extensively. Based on past evidence of benzodiazepine use during pregnancy, harmful effects can occur.
When it comes to interactions, certain calcium-channel blockers, antifungal medications, macrolide antibiotics, and central nervous system depressants can interact with Nayzilam. It's crucial to inform your doctor about any medications you're currently taking to avoid potential complications.
The risk of physical dependence and misuse is a concern with Nayzilam. It's recommended that it not be used more than once every 3 days, and no more than five episodes per month. Misuse can lead to symptoms such as physical symptoms, mood changes, risky behavior choices, and not being able to stop yourself from misusing the drug.
Nayzilam may cause mild or serious side effects. Mild side effects can include sleepiness, headache, nasal discomfort, throat irritation, runny nose, slurred speech, change in sense of taste, watery eyes, and other symptoms. Serious side effects can include respiratory depression, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, slowed thinking and reduced motor skills, risk of use with opioids, risk of misuse and addiction, risk of dependence and withdrawal, breathing problems, and allergic reaction.
It's important to note that using Nayzilam and drinking alcohol can increase your risk for dangerous side effects, including excessive sleepiness, respiratory depression, coma, and in rare cases, death. Your risk for breathing problems also increases if you use Nayzilam with opioid drugs or alcohol.
If you're breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about the safest way to feed your child after using Nayzilam. Nayzilam hasn't been studied in people who are breastfeeding, but based on studies, midazolam (the active drug in Nayzilam) is known to pass into breast milk and may cause harmful effects in children who are breastfed.
In case of an allergic reaction to Nayzilam, call your doctor right away. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include rash, itchiness, flushing (warmth or redness/deepening of skin color for a brief time), swelling under your skin, swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat, trouble breathing, and more severe symptoms.
Alternatives to Nayzilam for seizure rescue include diazepam nasal spray (Valtoco), rectal diazepam gel (Diastat), and other benzodiazepines (e.g., clonazepam or clobazam). Diazepam nasal spray is the most comparable alternative to Nayzilam, offering a similar non-invasive rescue route. Other benzodiazepines or administration routes (e.g., rectal gel) are alternatives but differ in administration convenience or rapidity.
Remember, Nayzilam is not meant to be used as a daily or long-term treatment. It is a rescue treatment used for occasional seizure cluster episodes. If you're sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs while you're using Nayzilam.
If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support from the 988 Lifeline, Crisis Text Line, Befrienders Worldwide, or local emergency services.
As with any medication, it's crucial to discuss the risks, benefits, and alternatives with your doctor before starting treatment with Nayzilam. Always follow the instructions provided by your doctor or healthcare provider. Family members and coworkers should be aware of the condition in case they need to administer Nayzilam during a seizure cluster episode.
- Nayzilam, a schedule IV substance approved in 2019, is a valuable addition to treatments for epilepsy, a brain disorder that can cause seizures, and is classified as a short-term treatment for seizure clusters.
- The use of Nayzilam during pregnancy hasn't been studied extensively, and past evidence of benzodiazepine use during pregnancy suggests harmful effects can occur.
- Interactions with certain calcium-channel blockers, antifungal medications, macrolide antibiotics, and central nervous system depressants can occur when using Nayzilam, so it's crucial to inform your doctor about any medications you're currently taking to avoid potential complications.
- The risk of physical dependence and misuse is a concern with Nayzilam, and it should not be used more than once every 3 days and no more than five episodes per month to minimize these risks.
- Alternatives to Nayzilam for seizure rescue include diazepam nasal spray (Valtoco), rectal diazepam gel (Diastat), and other benzodiazepines like clonazepam or clobazam, with diazepam nasal spray being the most comparable alternative to Nayzilam.
