ABSTRACT

Valproate (VPA) has a wide spectrum, with efficacy both in partial and generalized seizures. Though it is the first choice drug in generalized seizures, sometimes effective in very low doses, its use in partial seizures is not so frequent. The aim of this study was to compare the effective doses of VPA in generalized and partial seizures.

This retrospective study included 37 patients whose seizures could be identified as partial or generalized and who had been in remission at least for a year on VPA monotherapy. Valproate doses (mg/kg/day) were compared between patients with partial (14 patients; 8 females, 6 males; mean age 26 years) and generalized (23 patients; 14 females, 9 males; mean age 22 years) epilepsy.

No significant differences were found between the two epilepsy groups with respect to age, gender, duration of epilepsy, and duration of remission under VPA. The mean dose in the partial (16.02 mg/kg/day) epilepsy group was significantly higher than that found in the generalized (10.07 mg/kg/day) epilepsy group (p<0.01).

Our data show that a higher dose of VPA is required to control partial seizures. This should be kept in mind in terms of adverse effects and costs imposed on patients with partial epilepsy.

Keywords: Epilepsy, generalized/drug therapy, epilepsies, partial/drug therapy, seizures, valproic acid/administration & dosage/therapeutic use