Lorazepam versus diazepam for the treatment of status epilepticus

A retrospective study was performed to compare intravenous lorazepam and intravenous diazepam in the treatment of status epilepticus. Forty-five episodes of status epilepticus in children between the ages of 2 weeks and 18 years were reviewed. Lorazepam and diazepam proved similar in efficacy of seizure control and incidence of adverse effects. The dose of lorazepam required to control status epilepticus ranged from 0.03 to 0.22 mg/kg with a mean of 0.11 mg/kg (S.D. = 0.05 mg/kg). Among children treated with lorazepam, only children younger than 2 years of age had respiratory depression which required intubation.