Intravenous clonazepam in the treatment of status epilepticus in children.

Seventeen children (age range 2 weeks to 15 years) who developed status epilepticus were treated with intravenous clonazepam (Rivotril). Status was promptly stopped in each instance with between 0.25 to 0.75 mg clonazepam. In 6 children who had a further episode of status epilepticus, diazepam 0.25 to 0.75 mg/kg was given. A comparison of their relative efficacy showed that in each case clonazepam had a more prolonged action. No serious side effects occurred and it was felt that i.v. clonazepam, because of its more prolonged action, could be the drug of choice in controlling status epilepticus.