Absence seizures

Brief loss of consciousness (5–20 seconds) without convulsions. Mostly in children. Drugs of choice are ethosuximide, valproate, lamotrigine.

ICD-10 G40.71 drug

Also known as: Petit mal

Drugs used for this condition

AValproic acidFirst line · Antiepileptics. Fatty acid derivativesFor typical absence seizures in children and adolescents, valproate and ethosuximide are first-line. Comparative RCTs (Glauser 2010) showed similar efficacy; ethosuximide has better cognitive profile and is used for isolated absences. Valproate is preferred when generalized tonic-clonic seizures coexist.

How to read tiers A–F

Evidence tiers belong to the drug-indication pair, not to the drug as a whole: the same substance can be A for one condition and F for another.

AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
BRecommended in selected cases
CStudy data contradict each other
DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit