What is the drug of choice for status epilepticus?
BENZODIAZEPINES. The benzodiazepines are some of the most effective drugs in the treatment of acute seizures and status epilepticus. The benzodiazepines most commonly used to treat status epilepticus are diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and midazolam (Versed).
What is the most common cause of status epilepticus?
In children, the main cause of status epilepticus is an infection with a fever. In adults, the common causes include: Stroke. Imbalance of substances in the blood, such as low blood sugar.
Which anticonvulsants are appropriate for status epilepticus?
Lorazepam is better than diazepam or phenytoin alone for cessation of seizures and carries a lower risk of continuation of status epilepticus requiring a different drug or general anaesthesia. Both lorazepam and diazepam are better than placebo for the same outcomes.
What are types of status epilepticus?
There are different types of status epilepticus: convulsive and non-convulsive. Convulsive status epilepticus requires emergency treatment by trained medical personnel in a hospital setting. It can be life-threatening.
Is gabapentin used in status epilepticus?
Although gabapentin (GPN) is commonly used as adjunctive therapy to treat recurrent self-limited seizures, little is known about its potential efficacy in treating prolonged partial seizures. We report two cases of refractory focal status epilepticus successfully treated with oral GPN.
What percentage of status epilepticus cases result in fatality?
Unfortunately, despite their large numbers, population-based studies have yet to identify any unique clinical or diagnostic characteristics of an adult SE “survivor profile.” Usual mortality rates in adult studies range from 16% to 25%, although risk steadily increases with advancing age.
What are the most serious complications associated with status epilepticus?
Acute complications result from hyperthermia, pulmonary edema, cardiac arrhythmias, and cardiovascular collapse. Long-term complications include epilepsy (20% to 40%), encephalopathy (6% to 15%), and focal neurologic deficits (9% to 11%).
What happens if status epilepticus is not treated?
Convulsive status epilepticus is a medical emergency. Get medical help right away if you have a convulsive seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes. Failure to get treatment right away could result in brain damage or even death.
What is the difference between anticonvulsant drugs and antiepileptic drugs?
Antiepileptic and anticonvulsant are both terms that refer to the same drugs that target different neural pathways to reduce seizure episodes in people with epilepsy disorders. Anticonvulsants are another name for antiepileptic drugs, which are medications used to treat seizure disorders and help suppress seizures.
How do you give phenytoin in status epilepticus?
The drug should be injected slowly intravenously at a rate of 1-3mg/kg/min. Determination of phenytoin serum levels is advised during use in the management of status epilepticus and subsequently whilst establishing maintenance dosage.
How do you identify status epilepticus?
You may have status epilepticus if you have a seizure that lasts longer than 5 minutes, or if you have more than 1 seizure within a 5-minute period, without returning to a normal level of consciousness between episodes.
What is the definition of status epilepticus?
Previously, status epilepticus was defined as a seizure with a duration equal to or greater than 30 minutes or a series of seizures in which the patient does not regain normal mental status between seizures.
Is it possible to have convulsive status epilepsy?
Status epilepticus is very rare, most people with epilepsy will never have it. This condition is more common in young children and elderly adults. This condition can occur as: Convulsive status epilepticus.
Who is most at risk for status epilepticus?
This condition is more common in young children and elderly adults. This condition can occur as: Convulsive status epilepticus. Status epilepticus with convulsions may be more likely to lead to long-term injury. Convulsions may involve jerking motions, grunting sounds, drooling, and rapid eye movements.
What is the definition of focal motor status epilepticus?
Focal motor status epilepticus involves the refractory motor activity of a limb or a group of muscles on one side of the body with or without loss of consciousness is myoclonic status epilepticus. Refractory status epilepticus refers to continuing seizures (convulsive or non-convulsive) despite appropriate antiepileptic drugs.