Seizure (beta)
Official guideline from the American College of Emergency Physicians.
summary by Eric Steinberg, DO
Recommendations
Emergency physicians need not initiate antiepileptic medication* in the emergency department for patients who have had a first provoked seizure. Precipitating medical conditions should be identified and treated. *Antiepileptic medication in this document refers to medications prescribed for seizure prevention.
Level C
Emergency physicians need not initiate antiepileptic medication* in the emergency department for patients who have had a first unprovoked seizure without evidence of brain disease or injury. *Antiepileptic medication in this document refers to medications prescribed for seizure prevention.
Level C
Emergency physicians may initiate antiepileptic medication* in the emergency department, or defer in coordination with other providers, for patients who experienced a first unprovoked seizure with a remote history of brain disease or injury. *Antiepileptic medication in this document refers to medications prescribed for seizure prevention.
Level C
Emergency physicians need not admit patients with a first unprovoked seizure who have returned to their clinical baseline in the emergency department.
Level C
When resuming antiepileptic medication in the emergency department is deemed appropriate, the emergency physician may administer intravenous (IV) or oral medication at their discretion.
Level C
