Can uncontrolled petitmal seizures lead to something more serious, such as grandmal seizure, etc.? a friend has been on medications but still has them

Potential risk: If your friend is a adolescent, perhaps has petit male, but if older, likely complex partial seizures which can generalize and cause grand MAP convulsion. If not under control, should have meds re-adjusted or changed, and if 3 meds tried and failed, consider a vagal nerve stimulator or even surgery. This is very complex and an epilepsy specialist can guide future intervention.

Petit Mal: Is a poor name for this because they are usually more difficult to control than grand mal. They may both occur in one person and the medication is sometimes inadequate and results in trial and error tactics.