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Neurocritical Care

Open Access 05-04-2024 | Midazolam | Review Article

Efficacy and Tolerability of Intranasal Midazolam Administration for Antiseizure Treatment in Adults: A Systematic Review

Authors: Tolga D. Dittrich, Dominik Vock, Urs Fisch, Lisa Hert, Sira M. Baumann, Paulina S.C. Kliem, Stephan Rüegg, Stephan Marsch, Gian Marco De Marchis, Raoul Sutter

Published in: Neurocritical Care

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Abstract

Objective

The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of intranasal midazolam (in-MDZ) administration for antiseizure treatment in adults.

Methods

Embase and Medline literature databases were searched. We included randomized trials and cohort studies (excluding case series) of adult patients (≥ 18 years of age) examining in-MDZ administration for epilepsy, epileptic seizures, or status epilepticus published in English between 1985 and 2022. Studies were screened for eligibility based on predefined criteria. The primary outcome was the efficacy of in-MDZ administration, and the secondary outcome was its tolerability. Extracted data included study design, patient characteristics, intervention details, and outcomes. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool.

Results

A total of 12 studies with 929 individuals treated with in-MDZ were included. Most studies were retrospective, with their number increasing over time. Administered in-MDZ doses ranged from 2.5 to 20 mg per single dose. The mean proportion of successful seizure termination after first in-MDZ administration was 72.7% (standard deviation [SD] 18%), and the proportion of seizure recurrence or persistent seizures ranged from 61 to 75%. Most frequent adverse reactions to in-MDZ were dizziness (mean 23.5% [SD 38.6%]), confusion (one study; 17.4%), local irritation (mean 16.6% [SD 9.6%]), and sedation (mean 12.7% [SD 9.7%]).

Conclusions

Administration of in-MDZ seems promising for the treatment of prolonged epileptic seizures and seizure clusters in adults. Limited evidence suggests that intranasal administration is safe. Further research is warranted because of the heterogeneity of cohorts, the variation in dosages, and the lack of uniformity in defining successful seizure termination.
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Metadata
Title
Efficacy and Tolerability of Intranasal Midazolam Administration for Antiseizure Treatment in Adults: A Systematic Review
Authors
Tolga D. Dittrich
Dominik Vock
Urs Fisch
Lisa Hert
Sira M. Baumann
Paulina S.C. Kliem
Stephan Rüegg
Stephan Marsch
Gian Marco De Marchis
Raoul Sutter
Publication date
05-04-2024
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Neurocritical Care
Print ISSN: 1541-6933
Electronic ISSN: 1556-0961
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12028-024-01971-x