Benzodiazepines in the home treatment of acute seizures.

Prompt home treatment of dangerous seizures or upsetting relapses can prevent the effects of prolonged seizures and offer patients and their families an alternative to emergency medical treatment. The choice of benzodiazepine and route of administration should be based on patients' clinical presentation and acceptance. The challenge for the practitioner is to select the patients for whom home use of benzodiazepines will be appropriate, safe, and cost-effective.