Many
medications can effectively reduce or eliminate the number of petit mal
seizures. Finding the right medication
and dosage can be complex, requiring a
period of trial and error. Taking the
medications on a regular schedule is
crucial to maintaining the proper drug levels in the blood. The most effective
medications for petit mal seizures include ethosuximide (Zarontin), valproic
acid (Depakene) and lamotrigine (Lamictal). Most children can discontinue
anti-seizure medications, under a doctor''s supervision, after they''ve been
seizure-free for two years. A person with absence seizures may elect to wear a
medical bracelet for identification for
emergency medical reasons. The bracelet
should state whom to contact in an emergency and what medications you use. It''s
also a good idea to let teachers, coaches and child care workers know about the
seizures.