title: [Efficacy of sodium valproate in partial epilepsy. Crossed study of valproate and carbamazepine].
abstract: An open response-conditional cross-over study of valproate versus carbamazepine has been done in previously untreated patients with partial seizures. Thirty-one patients entered the study. Nineteen were followed up to one year. It appeared that valproate was at least as effective as carbamazepine: at one year, 11 patients were seizure-free on valproate and only 8 were seizure-free on carbamazepine. Furthermore no side-effect was noted in valproate therapy, whereas carbamazepine was stopped in 2 patients because of skin rashes. The efficacy of sodium valproate in partial epilepsy remains controversial. It is of course limited when given as co-therapy in severe epilepsies, uncontrolled with other major antiepileptic drugs. However in naive patients, with recent and previously untreated partial epilepsies, a one-drug treatment with valproate appears to be as effective as carbamazepine or phenytoin. It has less unwanted side-effects and should be prescribed as first line treatment.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D002220:Carbamazepine; D014635:Valproic Acid
vernacular_title: Efficacité du valproate de sodium dans les épilepsies partielles. Etude croisée valproate-carbamazépiné.