Epilepsy clinical guidelines and recommendations for Uganda

Generalized tonic-clonic (<2 years)

Phenobarbital or Carbamazepine.

Generalized tonic-clonic (>2 years)

Carbamazepine or Valproate.

Status Epilepticus (Child)

Diazepam 0.5 mg/kg rectally or 0.2 mg/kg IV. Repeat after 5-10 min if seizures persist.

Generalized tonic-clonic seizures

Starting dose of Carbamazepine 100-200 mg daily, increase in 100 mg increments every 1-2 weeks to 400-1400 mg daily. Alternatively, Phenobarbital 60 mg daily for 2 weeks, increase to 120-180 mg if not controlled.

Absence seizures

Sodium Valproate or Ethosuximide. Refer to specialist.

Status Epilepticus (Adult)

Diazepam 10 mg IV or rectal. If not responsive, Phenobarbital 10-15 mg/kg slowly IV OR Phenytoin 15-18 mg/kg over 1 hour.