Valproic acid versus ethosuximide in the treatment of absence seizures

Valproic acid (VPA) and ethosuximide (ESM) were compared in a double-blind, response- conditional crossover study of absence seizures in 16 naive (previously untreated for absence seizures) and 29 refractory patients (18 male and 27 female; 4 to 18 years of age). In the naive patients VPA was as effective as ESM in reducing generalized spike-wave discharges on the telemetered EEG. Adverse reactions to VPA or ESM were generally mild and responded to withdrawal or dosage reduction of the drug.