@royanthony
Drugs were limited in 1966 when I was diagnosed.
First generation drugs are older medicines like,

Phenobarbital, 1912
Dilantin, 1926
Mysoline, 1954
Zarontin, 1960
Tegratol, 1962
Depakote, 1983

Some newer medicines that are second generation meds and include,

Keppra, 1999
Zonegran, 2000
Trileptal, 2000
Neurontin, 1993
Lamictal, 1994
Topamax, 1996
Lyrica, 2005
The above is obviously just a sample of the 30+ seizure medication's currently available.
Just because a drug is older doesn't make it bad and because a drug is newer doesn't automatically make it better.
Second generation meds generally have fewer side effects but not everyone suffers side effects.

I've mentioned this before but several years ago the fiancé of a man with seizures was taking three medications with continued seizures. He asked about his seizures. I replied and suggested he might ask his neurologist if Phenobarbital might be beneficial. It turned out he did mention it and the Neurologist put him on Phenobarbital and stopped the other three meds and he has been seizure free since.
I have also been on phenobarbital for nearly 60 years along with up to four additional medications, but currently only use Carbatrol and Phenobarbital.
Take care,
Jake