Intravenous diazepam or lorazepam are first-line treatments for convulsive status epilepticus.

Opportunistic counseling has limited value here, as the patient is unlikely to recall this later, owing to drug-induced anterograde amnesia. Benzodiazepines, however, do not on their own enhance the GABAA receptors but require the neurotransmitter GABA to be present. Thus the effect of benzodiazepines is to enhance the effects of the neurotransmitter GABA. The concern is that, though relatively nontoxic in themselvesverification needed, benzodiazepines may inadvertently become facilitators of suicidal behaviour. 9%), weakness (4. After its introduction in 1977, lorazepam's principal use was in treating anxiety. Lorazepam tablets and syrups are administered by mouth only. So it may be necessary to repeat diazepam doses to maintain peak anticonvulsant effects, resulting in excess body accumulation. This medication can cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Ativan may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for.