Neonatal Seizure Drug Calculator

NEONATAL SEIZURES DRUGS

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Neonatal Seizures
DrugConcentration Dose Volume Notes
Fosphenytoin IV
(20 mg PE/kg)		 5 mg PE/mL
* dose and concentration done as Phenytoin Equivalents (PE)
Dilute 1 mL (PE 50 mg) with 9 mL 0.9%NaCl for a final concentration of PE 5 mg/mL. Give over 10 - 30 minutes (max rate: 3 mg PE/kg/min)
Fosphenytoin IV
(10 mg PE/kg)		 5 mg PE/mL
* dose and concentration done as Phenytoin Equivalents (PE)
Dilute 1 mL (PE 50 mg) with 9 mL 0.9%NaCl for a final concentration of PE 5 mg/mL. Give over 10 - 30 minutes (max rate: 3 mg PE/kg/min)
Levetiracetam IV
(40 mg/kg)		 20 mg/mL
Dilute 4 mL (400 mg) with 16 mL of 0.9%NaCl for a final concentration of 20 mg/mL. Give over 15 minutes
Lorazepam IV
(0.1 mg/kg)		 0.4 mg/mL
Dilute 1 mL (4 mg) with 9 mL of 0.9%NaCl for a final concentration of 0.4 mg/mL. Give over 3 - 5 minutes
Lorazepam Rectal
(0.1 mg/kg)		 0.4 mg/mL
Dilute 1 mL (4 mg) with 9 mL of 0.9%NaCl for a final concentration of 0.4 mg/mL
Midazolam IV
(150 mcg/kg)		 1000 mcg/mL
Give undiluted over 5 min
Caution: 2 concentrations available
Phenobarbital IV
(20 mg/kg)		 5 mg/mL
Dilute 1 mL (30 mg) with 5 mL of 0.9%NaCl for a final concentration of 5 mg/mL. Give over 20 minutes
Phenobarbital IV
(10 mg/kg)		 5 mg/mL
Dilute 1 mL (30 mg) with 5 mL of 0.9%NaCl for a final concentration of 5 mg/mL. Give over 10 minutes
Pyridoxine IV 100 mg/mL
Standard dose: 0.5 mL (50 mg) - 1 mL (100 mg)
Give undiluted over 2 minutes
Revised November 2018
References:
  • Slaughter et al. Pharmacological treatment of neonatal seizures: A systematic review. J Child Neurol 2013; 28(3): 351-64
  • Mruk et al. Levetiracetam in neonatal seizures: A review. J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther 2015; 20 (2): 76-89

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