IM midazolam for status epilepticus in the emergency department.

A 71-year-old man presented with a continuous generalized tonic-clonic seizure of 80 minutes duration. Multiple attempts to establish an IV line failed. Ten milligrams of midazolam hydrochloride was administered IM and was followed by prompt termination of seizure activity. This report discusses the pharmacokinetic and anticonvulsant properties of midazolam as an alternative to diazepam for the initial treatment of status epilepticus.