Status Epilepticus in Adults and Children

The aim of this presentation is to discuss the 2016 American Epilepsy Society guideline for the treatment of status epilepticus in children and adults and evaluate key articles that have been published post-guideline. Initial therapy for status epilepticus is a benzodiazepine and data regarding the multiple benzodiazepine options will be reviewed. The data surrounding second and third therapy phase agents have grown significantly since guideline publication and will be reviewed as well. Two new intranasal medications have come to market since 2019. A discussion of which options can be utilized based on patient age and/or weight will aid providers in selecting the optimal rescue medication. By contrasting pediatric and adult literature and clinical pearls for all of these therapy phases, audience members will be able to consider aspects about the difference in literature support, pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, and practical applications. Attendees will be engaged through polling questions reflecting on current practice which will also be used to help the audience with implementation assessment throughout the presented patient cases.

This activity is approved for Board Certified Critical Care Pharmacist (BCCCP), Board Certified Pediatric Pharmacy Specialist (BCPPS), and Board Certified Pharmacotherapy (BCPS) recertification credit.