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A Comparison Of Four Treatments For Generalized Convulsive Status Epilepticus, David M. Treiman , M.D., Patti D. Meyers , M.P.A., Nancy Y. Walton , Ph.D., Joseph F. Collins , Sc.D., Cindy Colling , R.Ph., M.S., A. James Rowan , M.D., Adrian Handforth , M.D., Edward Faught , M.D., Vincent P. Calabrese , M.D., Basim M. Uthman , M.D., R. Eugene Ramsay , M.D., Meenal B. Mamdani , M.D., Pratap Yagnik , M.D., John C. Jones , M.D., Elizabeth Barry , M.D., Jane G. Boggs , M.D., Andres M. Kanner , M.D.

VCU Health Publications

ABSTRACT

Background and Methods Although generalized convulsive status epilepticus is a life-threatening emergency, the best initial drug treatment is uncertain. We conducted a five-year randomized, doubleblind, multicenter trial of four intravenous regimens: diazepam (0.15 mg per kilogram of body weight) followed by phenytoin (18 mg per kilogram), lorazepam (0.1 mg per kilogram), phenobarbital (15 mg per kilogram), and phenytoin (18 mg per kilogram). Patients were classified as having either overt generalized status epilepticus (defined as easily visible generalized convulsions) or subtle status epilepticus (indicated by coma and ictal discharges on the electroencephalogram, with or without subtle convulsive movements such as …