Status Epilepticus
NICE guideline [NG217] Epilepsies in children, young people and adults 7. Treating status epilepticus, repeated or cluster seizures, and prolonged seizures. Last updated: Jan 2025.
Background Information
Definition
Status epilepticus definition:
- Seizure that lasts 5 minutes or more, or
- Recurrent seizures without recovery in between
Guidelines
Management in Adults
Algorithm for those without an individualised emergency management plan:
If a 2nd line anti-epileptic drug (AED) is used, it should preferably be an AED that is different from those used by the patient routinely
Management in Children
The management algorithm is largely the same as the adult one (see above), apart from the following:
- Rectal diazepam should be avoided
- For 2nd line medications, phenobarbital should be used instead of sodium valproate