With the majority of seizure emergencies occurring outside a medical setting, there is a great need for effective pre-hospital therapies that absorb fast and administer easily. Status epilepticus is a neurological emergency that requires prompt recognition and early treatment to prevent irreversible brain damage.

valium ativan seizures vs for

Lorazepam is better than diazepam for generalised convulsions in adults Report By: Manchester Royal Infirmary Current web editor: Valium ativan for seizures vs complete Three Part Question In [an adult epileptic patient suffering a grand mal fit] is [intravenous lorazepam safer and more effective than intravenous diazepam] at seizures terminating the convulsions]?

Clinical Scenario A 45 year old female epileptic presents after sustaining a grand mal convulsion at home. She starts fitting again on arrival in the physical effects of xanax department; the fit does not stop spontaneously valium for 5 minutes. The paramedics have secured intravenous access prior to arrival but have not given any anti-convulsants. You wonder whether lorazepam is more effective than diazepam as a first choice drug to safely terminate this convulsion.

The remaining 2 papers are shown in the table. The best first line treatment remains controversial. The ativan of diazepam is limited by its rapid redistribution out of the CNS. The duration of action of diazepam is approximately minutes. Pharmcokinetic studies of lorazepam have shown it has an elimination half-life seizures 13 hours. Lorazepam has a much longer duration of anti-convulsant action than diazepam and has an equivalent onset of seizures.

Studies in healthy voluteers suggest it has reduced cardio-respiratory side-effects compared to other benzodiazepines. There may be an increased risk of thrombophlebitis when compared to IV Diazemuls. Clinical Bottom Line Intravenous lorazepam is effective and safe in the treatment of status epilepticus. It should be the first line of treatment.

Double-blind study of lorazepam and diazepam seizures status epilepticus. A comparison of four treatments for generalized convulsive status epilepticus. N Eng J Med ; Some patients were treated prior to inclusion in trial No long term follow-up of patients.