PEDIATRIC TOP-UPs: A BRIEF GUIDE TO ANTICONVULSANT USE

A brief guide to anticonvulsant use

Infantile spasms: ACTH; prednisolone; vigabatrin (especially in tuberous sclerosis).

Generalized tonic–clonic:

– <6 months of age: phenobarbital.

– <3 years of age: levetiracetam.

– >3 years of age: levetiracetam; divalproex.

– >16 years of age: lamotrigine; divalproex (avoid in girls); levetiracetam.

Absence: ethosuximide; divalproex; lamotrigine.

Focal: oxcarbazepine; levetiracetam; topiramate; carbamazepine.

Myoclonic: levetiracetam; divalproex (avoid in children with metabolic disorders); lamotrigine.