Partial Seizures
Partial
seizures occur in just one part of the brain. About 60 percent of people with
epilepsy have partial
seizures. Two types of partial seizures are:
- Simple partial seizures, in which a person will remain conscious but experience unusual feelings or sensations that can take many forms.
- Complex partial seizures, in which a person has a change in consciousness or loss of consciousness. People having a complex partial seizure may display strange, repetitious behaviors such as blinks, twitches, mouth movements, or even walking in a circle.
Divalproex is approved to control complex partial seizures, either used alone or along with other seizure medications.
Absence Seizures
Absence seizures, also known as petit mal seizures, involve "blanking out." They are most common in children. A child may "stare into space" and may not respond to other people for 10 to 20 seconds. The child will not be aware of these episodes and will continue as if nothing happened once the seizure is over.
Complex absence seizures involve muscle movement (often eye blinking), while simple absence seizures do not involve muscle movements. Divalproex is approved to treat both complex and simple absence seizures. It can be used either alone or with other seizure medications. It is also approved for use with other seizure medications to treat people with absence seizures along with other
types of seizures.
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