Clobazam in partial status epilepticus.

Clobazam is the first and only 1,5-benzodiazepine to be used in the management of epilepsy. The use and effectiveness of oral clobazam in patients with status epilepticus has only been previously described in one study of 16 cases, seven of whom were in complex partial status. We have used clobazam in four patients with EEG-proven partial status epilepticus refractory to standard antiepileptic drugs. In all cases, except one, the seizure activity was controlled within 2 hr of administering clobazam. Our four patients responded promptly to an oral loading of clobazam which was approximately twice the usual daily maintenance dose. The drug was well tolerated and no adverse effects were seen. Clobazam's effectiveness as a first-line agent remains to be studied. Further controlled studies are recommended.