Intravenous Antiseizure Agents Physicochemical and Pharmacokinetic Characteristics
Drug Onset (min) Log P Protein Binding (%) Metabolism / Elimination Dose Adjustment on ECMO^ Dose Range*
             
Brivaracetam 5 0.86 <20 Hepatic / enzymatic hydrolysis -
Adult: 2 mg/kg or 100–200 mg IV x 1, followed by 50–200 mg IV twice daily
Pediatric: 2 mg/kg (max 200 mg) IV x 1, followed by 0.5–1.25 mg/kg/dose twice daily
Neonatal: 3 mg/kg IV x 1, followed by 0.75–1.5 mg/kg/dose twice daily
Fosphenytoin 30 1.08 90 Hepatic ++
Adult: 15-20 mg PE/kg (max 2000 mg PE) IV, followed by 4–7 mg PE/kg/day IV in 2–4 divided doses
Pediatric: 15–20 mg PE/kg (max 1,500 mg PE) IV x 1, followed by 2–4 mg PE/kg/dose twice daily
Neonatal: 20 mg PE/kg IV x 1, followed by 2–4 mg PE/kg/dose twice daily
Ketamine 1–2 2.9 10-30 Hepatic -
Adult: 1–10 mg/kg/hr
Pediatric: 1–7 mg/kg/hr
Neonatal: 1–7 mg/kg/hr
Lacosamide 60 0.75 <15 Renal / Hepatic -
Adult: 200–600 mg IV x 1, followed by 100–400 mg IV in 2 divided doses
Pediatric: 5–10 mg/kg/dose (max 400 mg) IV x 1, followed by 5–7 mg/kg/dose IV every 12 hours
Neonatal: 5–10 mg/kg/dose IV x 1, followed by 2.5–5 mg/kg/dose IV every 12 hours
Levetiracetam 5 -0.6 <10 Renal / Enzymatic hydrolysis -
Adult: 1000–4500 mg IV x 1, followed by 500–1500 mg IV twice daily
Pediatric: 60 mg/kg (max 4,500 mg) IV x 1, followed by 10–30 mg/kg/dose IV every 12 hours
Neonatal: 60 mg/kg IV x 1, followed by 10–30 mg/kg/dose IV every 12 hours
Lorazepam 5–20 2.5–3.0 91 Hepatic -
Adult: 4 mg IV or 0.1 mg/kg IV x 1 (max 4 mg), may repeat, consider midazolam infusion if refractory seizures occur
Pediatric: 0.1 mg/kg/dose (max 4 mg) IV x 1, may repeat, consider midazolam infusion if refractory seizures occur
Neonatal: 0.05–0.1 mg/kg/dose IV x 1, may repeat, consider midazolam infusion if refractory seizures occur
Midazolam 2–5 2.7–3.9 97 Hepatic; active metabolite renally eliminated +++
Adult: 0.2 mg/kg IV over 2–5 min, repeat 0.2 mg/kg IV boluses every 5 min until seizures stop, up to a maximum loading dose of 2 mg/kg, followed by 0.2–2.9 mg/kg/hr
Pediatric: 0.2 mg/kg (max 10 mg) IV x 1, followed by 0.1–1 mg/kg/hr
Neonatal: 0.2 mg/kg IV x 1, followed by 0.15–1 mg/kg/hr
Phenobarbital 5 1.47 48 Hepatic ++
Adult: 5–15 mg/kg IV x 1, may repeat in 10 min with 5–10 mg/kg IV x 1, followed by 1–2 mg/kg/day IV in 2–3 divided doses
Pediatric: 15–20 mg/kg IV x 1 (max 1,000 mg/dose); may repeat in 10 min with 5–10 mg/kg IV x 1, followed by 1–2.5 mg/kg/dose every 12 hours
Neonatal: 15–20 mg/kg IV x 1, may repeat up to a total of 40 mg/kg, followed by 3.5 mg/kg/dose IV every 12 hours
Phenytoin 30 2.47 90 Hepatic ++
Adult: 15–20 mg/kg (max 30 mg/kg) IV, followed by 4–7 mg/kg/day IV in 2–4 divided doses
Pediatric: 15–20 mg/kg (max 1,000 mg) IV x 1, followed by 2–4 mg/kg/dose every 12 hours
Neonatal: 20 mg/kg IV x 1, followed by 2–4 mg/kg/dose every 12 hours
Valproate 20 2.8 90 Renal / Hepatic -
Adult: 20–40 mg/kg (max 3000 mg) IV x 1, followed by 10–15 mg/kg/day IV in 2–3 divided doses
Pediatric: Not recommended in children <2 years of age; 40 mg/kg (max 3000 mg) IV x 1, followed by 10–15 mg/kg/day IV in 3–4 divided doses.
Neonatal: Not recommended in children <2 years of age
PE=phenytoin equivalents
^Dose will depend on response and/or tolerability
- Minimal sequestration; no need for dose adjustment
++ Moderate sequestration; may require dose adjustment
+++ Significant sequestration; need for dose adjustment