Editing Seizure (section)

=== Emergency medical treatment ===
If a convulsive seizure lasts longer than five minutes, or if repeated seizures occur without full recovery between events, the situation is classified as status epilepticus, a medical emergency requiring rapid intervention.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Al-Mufti |first=Fawaz |last2=Claassen |first2=Jan |date=2014-10-01 |title=Neurocritical Care: Status Epilepticus Review |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0749070414000529 |journal=Critical Care Clinics |language=English |volume=30 |issue=4 |pages=751–764 |doi=10.1016/j.ccc.2014.06.006 |issn=0749-0704 |pmid=25257739}}</ref> In emergency care, the first-line therapy for status epilepticus is the administration of a [[benzodiazepine]] to terminate the seizure, with most guidelines recommending [[lorazepam]], [[midazolam]] or [[diazepam]]. Early benzodiazepine treatment is associated with better seizure control and improved outcomes.<ref name="Abou-Khalil2022" />

If seizures persist despite benzodiazepine administration (second-line therapy), an intravenous antiseizure medication is given. Recommended options include [[fosphenytoin]], [[valproate]], or [[levetiracetam]], depending on patient-specific factors and institutional protocols.<ref name="DeWaele2013">{{cite journal |display-authors=6 |vauthors=De Waele L, Boon P, Ceulemans B, Dan B, Jansen A, Legros B, Leroy P, Delmelle F, Ossemann M, De Raedt S, Smets K, Van De Voorde P, Verhelst H, Lagae L |date=December 2013 |title=First line management of prolonged convulsive seizures in children and adults: good practice points |url=https://biblio.ugent.be/publication/4182539 |journal=Acta Neurologica Belgica |volume=113 |issue=4 |pages=375–380 |doi=10.1007/s13760-013-0247-x |pmid=24019121 |s2cid=17641491 |hdl-access=free |hdl=1854/LU-4182539}}</ref> In cases of refractory status epilepticus (seizures continuing despite first- and second-line treatments), patients typically require intensive care unit management. This involves continuous EEG monitoring and administration of anesthetic agents such as propofol or continuous infusion of midazolam.<ref name="Abou-Khalil2022" />

Prompt recognition and treatment of status epilepticus are critical to prevent permanent neuronal injury, systemic complications, and death.