How are absence seizures treated?

How are absence seizures treated?

Absence seizures are treated with antiseizure medications. Ethosuximide (Zarontin®) is the preferred medication to treat absence seizures. Other medications that your healthcare provider might try include valproate (Depakene®), lamotrigine (Lamictal®) and topiramate (Topamax®).

Certain types of antiseizure medications, such as phenytoin, carbamazepine, gabapentin, pregabalin and vigabatrin, aren’t usually used to treat absence seizures. These drugs can worsen seizures.

A ketogenic diet may be considered, but good evidence to support its use is lacking. A ketogenic diet may be considered if your child’s absence seizures don’t respond to medication.