SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF VALPROATE AND CARBAMAZEPINE IN THE TREATMENT OF COMPLEX PARTIAL SEIZURES

We conducted a randomized, double-blind study of 33 patients comparing valproate (VPA) and carbamazepine (CBZ) in the treatment of complex partial seizures (CPS). Patients between the ages of 10 and 70, who had experienced at least two CPS and were previously untreated or insufficiently treated, were considered for the study. Results showed that 64% of the patients who received VPA and 64% of the patients who received CBZ were free of CPS during the 24-week maintenance period. The only significant differences in adverse events were weight gain and tremor seen in patients who received VPA. This study showed that VPA monotherapy is as effective as CBZ monotherapy in the treatment of CPS.