PROVIDENCE – The U.S. Food and Drug and Administration reports some people who use e-cigarettes have experienced seizures, with most reports involving young people, according to the R.I. Department of Health.
In examining voluntary adverse experience reports, delivered to the FDA directly and through poison-control centers between 2010 and early 2019, the FDA determined there were 35 reported cases of seizures mentioning use of e-cigarettes, RIDOH recently announced. Due to the voluntary nature of these case reports, there may be more instances of seizure in e-cigarette users than have been reported, according to the announcement.
Seizures have been reported among first-time e-cigarette users and experienced users. In a few situations, e-cigarette users reported a prior history of seizure diagnosis. A few reported cases indicated seizures in association with use of other substances such as marijuana or amphetamines. Seizures have been reported as occurring after a few puffs or up to one day after use.
Most of the self-reported data the FDA has received does not contain any specific brand or sub-brand information about the e-cigarette. The reports may signal a potential emerging safety issue, the FDA reports.
The FDA is seeking more information about seizures following e-cigarette use to identify common risk factors and understand if any e-cigarette product attributes such as nicotine content or formulation may contribute to seizures. The state health department asked anyone who experiences any unexpected health or safety issues with any tobacco product to report it through the online Safety Reporting Portal.
The health department advised youths and young adult users that some e-cigarettes, or vapes, can contain high levels of nicotine, even as much nicotine as a pack of regular cigarettes. Teens who vape may end up addicted to nicotine faster than teens who smoke. Vapes may be used more frequently because they are easier to hide and may expose users to more nicotine.
The FDA cautioned health care providers that seizures may be associated with e-cigarette use, and noted that redacted reports of past incidents are available on the FDA website to assist medical evaluations of seizures.
According to the FDA, seizures result from sudden, abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Though often associated with convulsions in which a person’s entire body shakes uncontrollably, not all seizures show full-body shaking, according to the announcement.
Other possible signs of seizures include a lapse in awareness or consciousness, which may look like a person is staring blankly into space for a few seconds or suddenly stops moving. The person may or may not fall down. Most seizures end in a few seconds or minutes, and the person may seem fine, sleepy, confused or have a headache afterward.
If you think a person is having a seizure, call 911 and seek immediate medical help. For exposures with less-serious visible effects or if you have questions, call poison control at 800-222-1222.
Rob Borkowski is a PBN contributing writer.
