Managing Seizure Rescue Medicines

Epilepsy News From: Wednesday, April 17, 2013

This week’s article on seizure rescue medicines offers some very helpful information about what rescue medicines are and how they can be used. While using rescue or ‘as needed’ medicines to stop clusters of seizures can be very helpful, sometimes conflicts develop when they are administered in school or other group settings. Consider these ideas when working with your health care team and other caregivers about seizure rescue medicines.

Check with the doctor about the reason for using the rescue medicine. The use of some of these medicines has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to stop prolonged seizures out of the hospital. Diastat was approved to stop seizure clusters in a person who has identifiable clusters of seizures. Diastat and other rescue medicines may work in other situations, but the family should make sure that the reason for the drug’s use and exactly when to use and when not to use is clearly spelled out. When the medicine is to be given after a seizure has lasted for a certain length of time, make sure that everyone is clear on this time frame, and that directions on when to call for additional help is also understood.

Since caregivers need to be trained on how to give these medicines, make sure the prescription is really needed. Remember that people will need to undergo training and the school or other facility will need to have appropriate people available to give the medicine if it is needed.

Should everyone have a prescription for a seizure rescue medicine?

It would be great if schools, day cares, group homes, day programs and all settings where youth and adults with seizures may attend would be capable of giving seizure rescue medicine. However, this is not the case now and the training and staffing of caregivers and state laws and other relevant policies have not kept pace with the development of new technologies. Laws and regulations change more slowly and work remains to be done in this area. Personally, I don't think it makes practical sense for seizure rescue medicines to be prescribed for everyone with seizures/epilepsy, for example people who have had only one or two seizures or is not at risk for possible seizure emergencies. People who have seizures that are not controlled or people who are at risk for possible seizure emergencies, however, should work with their care team to have an appropriate seizure rescue plan developed.

If my child needs a seizure rescue plan, is training available for school nurses or other caregivers?

YES! The Epilepsy Foundation has a training program for school nurses. This has been created as a train the trainer program, so once the school nurse is trained, she or he can also train other school personnel. The Epilepsy Foundation has other programs and resources available to train school personnel and caregivers in other settings as well.

If you are interested in having a School Nurse Training Program in your area, contact your Epilepsy Foundation affiliate or the national office at 1-800-332-1000 or use this link to find an affiliate near you!

Where can I find Seizure Action Plans that can be used to let people know when and how to use rescue medicine?

Check out these two links:

The School Seizure Action Plan (.pdf 226kb) is available online and via the School Nurse Training Program.

The Seizure Response Plans for any age and any setting can be developed usingMy Epilepsy Diary or found as a pdf under Managing My Seizures (.pdf 318kb)

Have a safe week and Happy Spring!

 

Authored by

Patty Obsorne Shafer RN, MN

Reviewed Date

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

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