Antiepileptic Drug Use in Viral Encephalitis

Clinical Guidelines and Recommendations

• The Infectious Diseases Society of America and the Association of British Neurologists do not recommend routine prophylactic antiepileptic therapy for all patients with viral encephalitis 1, 2
• EEG monitoring is essential for all patients with encephalitis to identify non-convulsive seizure activity in confused, obtunded, or comatose patients 1

Treatment of Specific Viral Etiologies

• Acyclovir is the recommended antiviral treatment for Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) encephalitis 3
• Intravenous aciclovir (10-15 mg/kg three times daily) is recommended for Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) encephalitis, and corticosteroids may be beneficial, particularly if there is a vasculitic component 2