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.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003975:Diazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D010672:Phenytoin; D003975:Diazepam; D010634:Phenobarbital