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Emergency treatment of status epilepticus

From the Department of Emergency Medicine, Carolinas Medical Center (Dr. Runge), and Carolina Neurological Clinic (Dr. Allen), Charlotte, NC.
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Jeffrey W. Runge, Carolinas Medical Center, PO Box 32861, Charlotte, NC 28232-2861.

Abstract.

Status epilepticus occurs in more than 50,000 people in the United States each year and should be considered a neurologic emergency.A variety of drugs are used to treat status epilepticus, including IV benzodiazepines, phenytoin, and barbiturates. They are all short of being ideal, primarily because of difficulties with administration or associated toxicity. Fosphenytoin, a prodrug and phosphate ester of phenytoin, was developed to overcome the drawbacks associated with IV phenytoin. With its efficacy, safety, and ease of administration, fosphenytoin is a valuable option for the treatment of status epilepticus.

NEUROLOGY 1996;46(Suppl 1): S20-S23