Status epilepticus

Convulsive status epilepticus is a life-threatening disorder. Every emergency room that treats patients with this problem should have a treatment protocol prepared in advance to allow for prompt and appropriate therapy. The recommended treatment is an intravenous infusion of 20 mg/kg of phenytoin. Lorazepam or diazepam may be used to stop a convulsion in progress. If seizures persist, the second step may be an intravenous infusion of phenobarbital. If convulsions persist beyond the first hour and have not responded to the above, a barbiturate coma should be induced.