Use of ethosuximide and valproate in the treatment of epilepsy

Ethosuximide is the drug of first choice in absence seizures. Idiosyncratic side effects are rare. Valproate is effective against absence, generalized tonic-colonic, and partial seizures. It is the drug of choice in photosensitive seizures. Valproate is, on the whole, free from unpleasant side effects, but fatal hepatotoxicity and hyperamnionemia have been reported very rarely.