Epilepsy Health Center

What Is Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy?

Treatment of Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy

Depakote (valproate or valproic acid) is often used to treat juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Depakote is a broad-spectrum anti-seizure drug, and can treat each of the three seizure types that occur in people with JME.

Other epilepsy drugs are effective in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, too. Effective treatment depends on using a medicine that controls all three seizure types seen in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Keppra (levetiracetam), Topamax (topiramate), and Lamictal (lamotrigine) all treat juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.

For most people with JME, treatment is long-term, and often lifelong. However, treatment is effective, allowing most people with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy to go five years or more between seizures.