Camphor: an herbal medicine causing grand mal seizures. BMJ Case Rep 2015 Jun 11;2015
Date
06/13/2015Pubmed ID
26065546Pubmed Central ID
PMC4480101DOI
10.1136/bcr-2014-209101Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84937053212 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 5 CitationsAbstract
Camphor is usually used in the USA to repel insects, but it is widely used in other countries as an herb. We report the case of a 52-year-old previously healthy Nepali man who ingested approximately 10 g of pure camphor with therapeutic intention. He developed grand mal seizures, and was evaluated in an emergency room. He failed to recall the camphor ingestion initially, and was treated with phenytoin for new-onset idiopathic seizures. Examining physicians only later found out about his camphor ingestion. Finding the cause of new-onset seizures is often challenging for emergency room physicians, internists and neurologists. In addition to other well-reported causes of secondary seizures, herbal medications and supplements must also be explored.
Author List
MacKinney TG, Soti KR, Shrestha P, Basnyat BAuthor
Theodore MacKinney MD Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Abdominal PainAnti-Infective Agents, Local
Camphor
Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic
Humans
Male
Medical History Taking
Middle Aged
Phytotherapy
Plant Preparations
Plants, Medicinal
Treatment Outcome
