IV Sodium Valproate vs Phenytoin for Status Epilepticus
IV Sodium Valproate vs Phenytoin for Status Epilepticus
Status epilepticus (SE) is an emergency condition that requires proper and prompt treatment to prevent morbidity and mortality. Intravenous phenytoin is a main medication to treat SE. Recent and new antiepileptic drugs (AED) such as sodium valproate, lacosamide, levetiracetam or topiramate have potential benefits in treatment of SE.
Previous studies showed that intravenous sodium valproate may be a potential AED to be effective in SE. It may be used as the first-line AED in SE with a good seizure control. Unlike phenytoin, sodium valproate can be used safely and has no potential major cardiovascular compromises such as cardiac arrhythmia or hypotension. Sodium valproate therefore may be an appropriate drug as the first-line treatment in SE.
A meta-analysis of five randomized-controlled studies showed that both intravenous phenytoin and sodium valproate were effective in SE treatment. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of both medications in the treatment of SE as the first-line AED. The results will add more information of the efficacy of both drugs on SE in the literature. The study therefore evaluated if intravenous sodium valproate is non-inferior to intravenous phenytoin in SE treatment.
Background
Status epilepticus (SE) is an emergency condition that requires proper and prompt treatment to prevent morbidity and mortality. Intravenous phenytoin is a main medication to treat SE. Recent and new antiepileptic drugs (AED) such as sodium valproate, lacosamide, levetiracetam or topiramate have potential benefits in treatment of SE.
Previous studies showed that intravenous sodium valproate may be a potential AED to be effective in SE. It may be used as the first-line AED in SE with a good seizure control. Unlike phenytoin, sodium valproate can be used safely and has no potential major cardiovascular compromises such as cardiac arrhythmia or hypotension. Sodium valproate therefore may be an appropriate drug as the first-line treatment in SE.
A meta-analysis of five randomized-controlled studies showed that both intravenous phenytoin and sodium valproate were effective in SE treatment. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of both medications in the treatment of SE as the first-line AED. The results will add more information of the efficacy of both drugs on SE in the literature. The study therefore evaluated if intravenous sodium valproate is non-inferior to intravenous phenytoin in SE treatment.
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