Table 1.

Summary of AED efficacy in different absence seizure types

	TAS	AAS	EMA	MA	Main advantage	Main disadvantage
Valproate	+++	++	++	++	Effective against all seizure types	Should be avoided in girls of childbearing age
Ethosuximide	+++	++	+?	++	Minimal cognitive side effects	ineffective against tonic-clonic seizures
Lamotrigine	++	+	+?	+?	Favorable tolerability profile	Long dose titration
Levetiracetam	+	?	++	?	Favorable tolerability profile
Rufinamide	?	++	?	++?	Effective against drop-attacks in LGS	Limited experience
Benzodiazepine	++	++ (CLB)	++ (CNZ)	?	Rapidly effective	Risk of dependence and habituation

Notes: Degree of efficacy: +++ high, ++ moderate, + weak, ? unknown.

Abbreviations: TAS, typical absence seizures; AAS, atypical absence seizures; EMA, eyelid myoclonia with absences; MA, myoclonic absences; CLB, clobazam, CNZ, clonazepam; LGS, Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome; AED, antiepileptic drug.