This protocol addresses children with absence epilepsy whose initial monotherapy has failed to reach the primary clinical goal: complete absence of recurrent seizures.
First-line monotherapy was initiated with ethosuximide (Zarontin) or valproic acid (Depakene). The target — sustained seizure freedom — was not achieved.
Persistent seizures despite adequate first-line therapy indicate the need for a structured next-step approach.
The protocol specifies an alternative monotherapy strategy. Individualized dosing depends on the patient's current antiepileptic drug regimen and cannot be summarized in a single figure.
Full selection criteria, sequencing, and dosing parameters are in the complete protocol below.