Evaluation of fosphenytoin, levetiracetam, and propofol as treatments for nerve agent-induced seizures in pediatric and adult rats.

•Male and female immature and adult rats were exposed to the nerve agents sarin or VX to elicit status epilepticus (SE) seizures.•The animals were treated with doses of fosphenytoin, levetiracetam or propofol, three drugs commonly used as second line treatment of SE.•Only propofol was very effective in terminating nerve agent-induced SE in all age groups and sexes.•Fosphenytoin and levetiracetam showed no evidence of modifying the seizures or protecting against seizure-induced neuropathology.•Propofol should be considered a treatment of choice for nerve agent-induced SE refractory to first line anticonvulsant treatment.