Epilepsy Program

Use the link below and visit page 24 for the proper use of Diazepam.

• Diazepam Instructions

Download helpful instructions for the proper use of nasal spray.

• NAYZILAM® (midazolam) nasal spray, CIV
• VALTOCO 5 mg dose or 10 mg dose

Most seizures end after 1 to 2 minutes without harm.  These seizures do not usually require a trip to the emergency room.  You do not usually have to do anything if a person has brief periods of staring or shaking.  Seizure first aid should be used with shaking or jerking lasting longer than a few seconds.

If your child begins to have a seizure:

• Lay him/her on the floor on his/her side to keep his/her airway open
• Clear the area around him/her of anything hard or sharp
• Do not try to hold him/her down or stop his/her movements
• Loosen any tight clothing, especially anything around his/her neck
• Do not put anything in his/her mouth – she will not swallow his/her tongue
• Time the seizure

If your child’s seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes:

• Administer Diastat if his/her neurologist has prescribed this medicine
• If Diastat has not been prescribed, call 911 or take your child to your local emergency room

If your child’s seizure continues after administration of the Diastat:

• Administer the 2nd Diastat syringe if the seizure has lasted 5 minutes after the 1st syringe was given
• Prepare to call 911 or take your child to your local emergency room

Web Sites:

• Epilepsy Foundation
• Epilepsy.com
• United States Department of Education

Documents:

• Caregiver Notification Sheet
• Seizure Calendar

Although your child has been diagnosed with a seizure disorder, we encourage you to let your child live a normal life.  Children with seizures do not usually have any physical limitations or activity restrictions. 

There is a chance that your child could lose consciousness during a seizure, so there are certain circumstances that your child should avoid or be closely monitored.  Your child’s life could be at risk if he/she were to lose consciousness during certain activities.

• Swimming/Taking a Bath:  Your child should always be closely monitored while in the water.  Encourage your child to take showers instead of sitting in a tub of water.
• Fire:  Your child should always be closely monitored around campfires, fireplaces, or hot ovens/stoves.
• Heights:  Your child should always be closely monitored when activity includes heights – monkey bars, trees, etc.
• Driving:  Arkansas law requires your child to be seizure-free for one year before driving.

Please be aware that your child may have increased seizures when he/she is sick, running a fever, sleep-deprived, or under stress.  It is also very important that your child not miss his/her medication because this could cause increased seizures.