Therefore, it is no surprise that the medicines most likely to be useful in Angelman kids are those useful in kids with other types of symptomatic generalized epilepsies. Phenobarbital and phenytion have little effect on generalized seizures other than tonic-clonic convulsions. In my opinion, neither of these drugs is of much use in Angelman syndrome. It is important to note that Angelman kids are very variable. What works for one kid may not work for another.
Some Angelman kids continue to have seizures in spite of careful management of their medicines.
In this case the goal of treatment is to seizure control with a minimum of medicine side effects. Valproate may produce some drowsiness or hyperactivity. Weight gain, hair loss and tremor are more common side effects. The tremor usually found in Angelman kids may get much worse. Low platelets may occur with high doses and carry the risk of catastrophic bleeding.