Adults usually begin with 1 or 2 capsules per day and can take up to 6 per day if needed, usually taken in one or two doses.

For young children (3 to 6 years) with absence seizures, most doctors suggest starting with 1 capsule or 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of the liquid form (syrup) per day. This is often given as half a teaspoon (2.5 mL) twice a day.

Older children may begin with 2 capsules or 2 teaspoons of syrup. The doctor will often suggest increasing the dose after about a week. The final amount will depend on the child's weight and whether seizures or side effects are occurring.

Most children do best at about 20 milligrams (mg) of Zarontin per kilogram (2.2 pounds) of body weight per day. This would be equal to about 500 mg (2 capsules or 2 teaspoons of syrup) for a 50-pound child. Each individual is different, however, so follow your doctor's prescription carefully. The dose is usually divided and a capsule or syrup is taken two or three times a day.

The doctor occasionally may suggest checking the level of Zarontin in the blood to see whether it falls within the range that is usually considered appropriate for treatment ("therapeutic level"). Whether the amount prescribed needs to be adjusted generally depends on whether seizures or side effects are occurring, however.

Reviewed February 2004 by Barry Gidal, PharmD, epilepsy.com Editorial Board.