Type Description Drug of choice

Partial
Simple partial One body part is involved; Carbamazepine
no loss of consciousness
and no postictal confusion
Complex partial Almost always from Carbamazepine
temporal lobe (mood
changes, illusions,
hallucinations); impaired
consciousness and
postictal state are present
Generalized
Tonic-clonic Generalized tonic Phenytoin,
extension of extremities, carbamazepine, valproate
followed by clonic
rhythmic movements; loss
of consciousness and
prolonged postictal
confusion are present
Myoclonic Brief arrhythmic jerking Valproic acid
movements, last <1 sec,
usually occur in clusters
for a few minutes; no loss
of consciousness
Absence Brief episodes of staring, Ethosuximide, 2nd line:
but no postictal confusion valproate