Furosemide terminates limbic status epilepticus in freely moving rats.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the anticonvulsant properties of furosemide and to determine sedative side effects compared with pentobarbital and diuretic side effects compared with saline-treated controls in an experimental model of limbic status epilepticus.


METHODS
Self-sustaining status epilepticus was induced in rats by continuous electrical stimulation of the perforant path. Five minutes after the end of the stimulation, animals were given 100 mg/kg furosemide, 30 mg/kg pentobarbital, or an equal amount of saline, intraperitoneally. After administration of the substance, animals were monitored clinically and electrographically for 3 h regarding status epilepticus, level of sedation, and diuresis.


RESULTS
In seven of 10 animals, furosemide terminated status epilepticus after 68 +/- 26 min, whereas pentobarbital was successful in all animals after 5 +/- 0.8 min. In contrast to pentobarbital, sedation did not occur with furosemide. Weight loss after furosemide was 10.2 +/- 1.7% compared with 6.5 +/- 1.1% in animals given saline (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that furosemide may serve as an alternative or additional agent for refractory complex partial status epilepticus in patients in whom common anesthetics are not justifiable.
Holtkamp
Martin
M
Department of Neurology, University Hospital Charité, Berlin, Germany. martin.holtkamp@charite.de
Matzen
Julia
J
Buchheim
Katharina
K
Walker
Matthew C
MC
Meierkord
Hartmut
H
D000818:Animals; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005665:Furosemide / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008032:Limbic System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008124:Locomotion / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
D005665:Furosemide