Conditions and symptoms
What Is Status Epilepticus? A Seizure Emergency Explained
Status epilepticus · say it: STAY-tus ep-ih-LEP-tih-kusAlso written: prolonged seizure, continuous seizures, status
Short answer
Status epilepticus is a seizure that lasts too long, or seizures that follow each other without recovery in between. It is a medical emergency.
What it means
Status epilepticus means a seizure that goes on for longer than usual, or a series of seizures without the person fully recovering in between. It is a medical emergency: call emergency services straight away if a seizure lasts more than a few minutes, if another follows before the person comes round, or if it is their first seizure.
Labels for anti-seizure medicines warn that stopping them suddenly can trigger more seizures, including status epilepticus, even in people whose seizures were well controlled. That is why these medicines are reduced slowly under medical advice. Some labels for other medicines that lower the seizure threshold also mention it.
Status epilepticus is different from a single short seizure that stops on its own, which is more common. Many people with epilepsy have an emergency care plan that says what to do and when to call for help.
Where you may see it
- Anti-seizure medicine labels: 'Withdrawal of antiepileptic drugs'
- Emergency department and neurology records
- Epilepsy care plans
📄 How it looks on a report
Antiepileptic drugs should not be abruptly discontinued because of the possibility of increasing seizure frequency, including status epilepticus.
🙅 What it does not mean
- It is not the same as having epilepsy; it is a type of emergency seizure.
- It does not mean every seizure will become status epilepticus.
- A label warning about stopping does not mean the medicine causes it.
🎯 Check yourself
Which of these is the right meaning of “Status epilepticus”?
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Status epilepticus”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Amitriptyline
An antidepressant of the tricyclic type
- Bupropion Hydrochloride
an aminoketone antidepressant, a type of medicine used to treat depression
- Ceftriaxone
A broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic, as described on the official FDA label
- Citalopram
a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), a type of antidepressant medicine
- Clonazepam
a benzodiazepine, a type of medicine that slows activity in the central nervous system
- Dapagliflozin
a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, a type of diabetes medicine
- Divalproex Sodium
An anti-epileptic (anti-seizure) drug of the valproate type. The label also uses it to treat manic episodes of bipolar disorder and to prevent migraine headaches.
- Empagliflozin
a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, a prescription medicine that works on sugar handling in the kidneys
- Escitalopram
a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), a type of antidepressant
- Fluoxetine
a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), a type of antidepressant medicine
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Status epilepticus” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
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