Anticonvulsant levels and reloading

Background
  • IV load can be performed with phenobarbital, phenytoin, valproate, levetiracetam
  • Oral loading can be spread over day or more to avoid GI upset
  • May use IV vs PO reload at physican discretion[1]

Initial Loading[1]
Anticonvulsant (brand name) PO Loading Dose IV Loading Dose
Carbamazepine (Tegretol) 8mg/kg suspension in single oral load NA
Gabapentin (Neurontin) 900mg/day oral (300mg tid) for 3 days NA
Lamotrigine (Lamictal) 6.5mg/kg single oral load if on lamotrigine for >6 mo without a history of rash or intolerance in the past and only off lamotrigine for <5 days NA
Levetiracetam (Keppra) 1,500mg oral load 1,000-1,500 mg IV
Phenytoin (Dilantin) 20mg/kg divided in maximum doses of 400mg every 2 hours 18mg/kg (max rate of 50mg/min)
Fosphenytoin (Cerebyx) NA 18 PE/kg IV (max rate of 150 PE/min)
Valproate (Depacon) NA Up to 30mg/kg IV (max rate of 10mg/kg/min)

Reloading

Volume of Distribution
Agent Volume of Distribution Desired Level
Phenytoin (dilantin) 0.8 20 mcg/mL
Carbamazepine (tegretol) 0.8 12 mcg/mL
Phenobarbital 0.6 40 mcg/mL
Valproate (depakote) 0.2 100 mcg/mL

See Also

References
  1. Seizures ACEP Policy committee . Clinical Policy: Critical Issues in the Evaluation and Management of Adult Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department With Seizures. Ann Emerg Med. 2014;63(4):437–447.e15. doi:10.1016/j.annemergmed.2014.01.018.
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