10 Frequently Asked Questions about Absence Seizures

5. How do doctors treat absence seizures?

Doctors may treat a patient's absence seizures with anti-seizure drugs. The specific drug depends on whether the person experiences only this type of seizure; people who also have grand mal seizures require different medications. Because anti-seizure medicine often has side effects, doctors tend to prescribe the lowest dose first, and then increase the dosage if necessary. Once a child has gone a long period without symptoms, the physician can begin to wean them off the medication.

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