Vanquix

Vanquix is a proprietary intramuscular diazepam auto-injector formulation being developed as an alternative to rectal diazepam gel for the treatment of acute repetitive seizures, particularly in out-of-hospital settings where administration by non–health-care professionals is needed. The product contains diazepam, a long-acting benzodiazepine that enhances inhibitory neurotransmission in the central nervous system by potentiating gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at GABA-A receptors, thereby rapidly terminating seizure activity. Vanquix is designed as a single-dose, fixed-strength auto-injector for thigh administration, and pharmacokinetic studies have shown dose-proportional exposure with bioavailability comparable to or slightly higher than rectal diazepam gel. Pfizer has been reported as developing this intramuscular diazepam Vanquix formulation, and earlier clinical work and pivotal trials were sponsored by King Pharmaceuticals before its acquisition by Pfizer.