Double-blind study of lorazepam and diazepam in status epilepticus.
Lorazepam was compared with diazepam for the treatment of status epilepticus in a double-blind, randomized trial. Seventy-eight patients with 81 episodes were enrolled. Patients received one or two doses of either 4 mg of lorazepam or 10 mg of diazepam intravenously. Seizures were controlled in 89% of the episodes treated with lorazepam and in 76% treated with diazepam. The times for onset of action of the medications did not differ significantly. Adverse effects occurred in 13% of the lorazepam-treated patients and in 12% of the diazepam-treated patients. Respiratory depression and arrest, the most frequent adverse effects, were treated symptomatically; no adverse sequelae were noted.
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003975:Diazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000188:drug therapy*
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D008140:Lorazepam; D003975:Diazepam