Drugs used for Status epilepticus not listed below:
Benzodiazepines
MHRA Drug Safety Update (March 2020): Benzodiazepines and opioids: reminder of risk of potentially fatal respiratory depression.
- benzodiazepines (and benzodiazepine-like drugs) and opioid medicines (opioids) can both cause respiratory depression; when used together, additive effects on the central nervous system increase the risks of sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death
Buccolam
(Midazolam)
- Oromucosal solution 5mg/ml pre-filled oral syringe 2.5mg/0.5ml, 5mg/1ml, 7.5mg/1.5ml, 10mg/2ml (£22.88 = 10mg pre-filled oral syringe)
Dose
- >6 months to <1 year: 2.5mg
- 1 year to <5 years: 5mg
- 5 years to <10 years: 7.5mg
- 10 years to <18 years: 10mg
- 18 years and older: 10mg (unlicensed)
Notes
- Prescribe by brand (the brand of midazolam should be specified on the individual patient care plan)
- Buccolam brand is recommended for new initiations
- Prescribers are reminded that the different brands of buccal midazolam contain different concentrations of the drug
- For patients currently established on Epistatus brand (10mg/ml, non-formulary), continued prescribing is accepted, however there should be no new initiations without careful clinical consideration
- The brand should not be changed without the full involvement of specialist and patient/carer
- For infants between 3-6 months of age treatment should be in a hospital setting where monitoring is possible and resuscitation equipment is available
- Although the pack size is 4 prefilled oral syringes, Buccolam may be prescribed and dispensed in singles. To prevent wastage, please prescribe only as many prefilled syringes as necessary.
- Whilst Buccolam is not licensed for patients aged 18 years and older, NICE CG137 recommends buccal midazolam as first-line treatment for prolonged or repeated seizures in adults in the community. Rectal diazepam (licensed) may be used if preferred, or if midazolam is not available
Lorazepam
- Tablets 1mg (£1.43 = 1mg daily)
Indications