How to continue epilepsy treatment in a 10-year-old?

I understand that the decision to continue epilepsy treatment for a 10-year-old girl can be difficult. The final decision should be made in collaboration with the treating physician, who knows the child's medical history and can provide more detailed information about the benefits and risks of treatment.

As a pharmacist, I can only give you general information:

For a child of this age with seizures of unconsciousness (petit mal), Neurotope (carbamazepine) is generally considered to be the optimal first-line treatment option. Neurotop has been shown to be more effective than lamotrigine and comparable to valproic acid (here: Convulex) in the treatment of epilepsy with seizures of unconsciousness in children, with a lower risk of concentration-related adverse effects compared to valproic acid.

However, if the child has had generalized tonic-clonic seizures (grand mal) in addition to seizures of unconsciousness, valproic acid may be a more appropriate choice, as it is effective for both types of seizures. Valproic acid is recommended as first-line treatment for generalized tonic-clonic seizures in children younger than 10 years of age who are unlikely to require treatment in old age and may have children due to potential risks during pregnancy.

The key issue is to determine the specific type of seizures the child is experiencing (absence, tonic-clonic, or both) to help select the optimal medication. It's a good idea to involve your doctor in the decision-making process, as they have a complete clinical history and can assess the risks and benefits in this particular case.

The goal is to achieve optimal seizure control with minimal side effects. In order to find the most effective and well-tolerated treatment regimen for your child, close monitoring and potential adjustment of the medication may be necessary.

If you are unable to consult your doctor, you can use the teleconsultation here:
https://www.gdziepolek.pl/telekonsultacja/z-pediatra