Status epilepticus

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MHRA/CHM advice: Antiepileptic drugs in pregnancy: updated advice following comprehensive safety review (January 2021)   
MHRA/CHM advice: Antiepileptic drugs: updated advice on switching between different manufacturers’ products (November 2017)
MHRA/CHM advice: Antiepileptics: risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviour (December 2014) 
SPS article: What is a suitable combined oral contraceptive pill in a patient who is taking hepatic enzyme-inducing drugs, such as carbamazepine, phenytoin, rifampicin or rifabutin? (May 2019).
Also see BNF: Epilepsy.

  • Refer to guidance on ‘Management of prolonged seizures’.
  • Midazolam (or in occasional circumstances rectal diazepam) is used for clusters or prolonged generalised seizures.  
  • Note: Complex partial status epilepticus with loss of awareness is treated as for convulsive status epilepticus.
  • Intramuscular diazepam is not recommended for rescue medication.

MIDAZOLAM

Therapy notes

  • Intranasal or buccal midazolam is used in accordance with Highland guidelines for staff administering and providing training in the use of buccal (or nasal) midazolam, and ‘Local protocol for midazolam use in Learning Disability In-patient services in New Craigs Hospital’.  Refer to specialist for advice. 
  • Note: Plasma midazolam concentrations are markedly increased by co-administration of CYP3A4 inhibitors eg antibacterials (erythromycin, clarithromycin) and antifungals (ketoconazole, itraconazole, and fluconazole).
    After a single dose of oromucosal midazolam in patients on these drugs, careful monitoring of the clinical effects and vital signs is recommended; for further information see Epistatus SPC.
  • Brand name prescribing is recommended to ensure carers receive the brand they have been trained to use.

Formulation and dosage details

Formulation:

Oromucosal solution pre-filled oral syringe (Epistatus®) (CD schedule 3) 10mg/mL (specialist initiation)

Dosage:

Intranasally or buccally, 10mg. 

This is a single use syringe that does not have incremental dosing. It is NOT to be used for doses below 10mg.

initiation by epilepsy service only)

Formulation and dosage details

Formulation:

Oromucosal solution pre-filled oral syringes (Epistatus®) (CD schedule 3) 2·5mg/0·25mL, 5mg/0·5mL, 7·5mg/0·75mL unlicensed (specialist initiation)

Dosage:

Use for doses below 10mg.  It does not come up automatically in Vision and will need to be manually typed in.

initiation by epilepsy service only

Formulation and dosage details

Formulation:

Oromucosal solution (Epistatus®) (CD schedule 3) 50mg/5mL unlicensed (specialist initiation)

Dosage:

Intranasally or buccally, 10mg. 

initiation by epilepsy service only

Formulation and dosage details

Formulation:

Solution for injection (CD Schedule 3) 5mg/5mL, 50mg/50mL

Dosage:

Intranasally or buccally, 10mg. 

DIAZEPAM

Therapy notes

MHRA advice: Drugs and driving: concentration limits to be set for certain controlled drugs in a new legal offence (December 2014) (www.gov.uk).

Formulation and dosage details

Formulation:

Rectal solution tubes 5mg/2.5mL, 10mg/2.5mL

Dosage:

Adult and child over 12 years:
By rectum: 10mg, repeated once after 10 to 15 minutes if necessary.

Formulation and dosage details

Formulation:

Emulsion for injection 10mg/2mL

Dosage:

Adult and child over 12 years:
By intravenous injection: 10mg at a rate of 0.5mL (2.5mg) per 30 seconds, repeated once after 10 minutes if necessary.

Notes:

Intravenous infusion of diazepam is potentially hazardous (especially if prolonged) calling for close and constant observation and best carried out in a hospital with intensive care facilities. Diazemuls® injection is licensed for intravenous administration only.

LORAZEPAM

Therapy notes


MHRA advice: Drugs and driving: concentration limits to be set for certain controlled drugs in a new legal offence (December 2014) (www.gov.uk).

  • Lorazepam as a bolus is preferable to diazepam because of its long duration of antiepileptic action.

Formulation and dosage details

Formulation:

Solution for injection 4mg/mL

Dosage:

By slow intravenous injection (into large vein), 4mg.

LEVETIRACETAM

Therapy notes

Formulation and dosage details

Formulation:

Concentrate for solution for infusion 500mg/5mL (s)

Dosage:

For use where other medicines are contra-indicated.

PARALDEHYDE

Therapy notes

Available from special-order manufacturers; for information contact Medicines Information.

Formulation and dosage details

Formulation:

Enema 50% in olive oil (s) unlicensed

Dosage:

Use in Paediatrics in accordance with BNF for Children. 

PHENYTOIN

Therapy notes


NHS Improvement Patient Safety Alert: Risk of death and severe harm from error with injectable phenytoin (November 2016): Use of injectable phenytoin is error-prone throughout the prescribing, preparation, administration and monitoring processes; all relevant staff should be made aware of appropriate guidance on the safe use of injectable phenytoin to reduce the risk of error.

Formulation and dosage details

Formulation:

Solution for injection 250mg/5mL

Dosage:

Refer to phenytoin dose calculations

SODIUM VALPROATE

Therapy notes

Note: risk of abnormal pregnancy outcomes, liver dysfunction and contraindication in patients with certain mitochondrial disorders.

Valproate medicines are contraindicated in women and girls of childbearing potential unless conditions of Pregnancy Prevention Programme are met (MHRA advice April 2018)

Formulation and dosage details

Formulation:

Solution for injection 300mg/3mL (s)

Dosage:

For emergency use only.