Essential oil related seizures (EORS): A multi-center prospective study on essential oils and seizures in adults

Mathew, Thomas; John, Saji K; Kamath, Vikram; R, Shiva Kumar; Jadav, Rakesh; Swamy, Sreekanta; Adoor, Gurucharan; Shaji, Asha; Nadig, Raghunandan; Badachi, Sagar; Souza, Delon D; Therambil, Manjusha; Sarma, G.R.K.; Parry, Gareth

doi:10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2021.106626

Cited by 9 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…4 The proconvulsant EOs are known to cause seizures when applied topically, ingested, or inhaled. 6 CH temporally related to exposure to EOs containing preparations are not reported. CH secondary to exposure to psychoactive substances like cocaine, cannabis, and opioids have been reported.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…These EOs have pro‐convulsant nature and are known to cause seizures 4 . The pro‐convulsant EOs are known to cause seizures when applied topically, ingested, or inhaled 6 . CH temporally related to exposure to EOs containing preparations are not reported.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…EOs of 11 plants like eucalyptus, fennel, hyssop, pennyroyal, rosemary, sage, savin, tansy, thuja, turpentine, and wormwood are reported to be powerful convulsants due to the presence of highly reactive monoterpene ketones, like camphor, cineole, fenchone, pinocamphone, pulegone, sabinylacetate, and thujone 3–5 . These monoterpenes cause convulsions by various mechanisms such as blocking potassium channels and antagonizing gamma‐aminobutyric acid receptors 3,5,6 . EOs are reported to worsen migraine 7 and also recently to be associated with CH 8 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[3][4][5] These monoterpenes cause convulsions by various mechanisms such as blocking potassium channels and antagonizing gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors. 3,5,6 EOs are reported to worsen migraine 7 and also recently to be associated with CH. 8 Here, we report five cases of EO-related CH (EORCH), who had complete resolution of cluster attacks after stopping exposure to EOs.…”

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Substance use related cluster headache: A case series

et al. 2022

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Background Essential oils (EOs) with pro‐convulsant properties are known to cause seizures and may worsen migraine. Here we report five cases of cluster headache (CH) secondary to the usage of toothpastes containing pro‐convulsant EOs. Methods Patients were identified from the headache clinics of three tertiary care hospitals in south India. Detailed history, examination, and brain magnetic resonance imaging were done in all patients. CH was diagnosed according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data. Results We had five cases of EO‐related CH (EORCH), from February 2020 to August 2021; three females and two males, with age ranging from 19 to 54 years. Three had new onset CH, while two had previous cluster attacks which had become refractory to medications for the past 1 year. The toothpastes contained EOs of camphor, eucalyptus, sage, thujone, clove, and fennel in various combinations. These toothpastes were used for a period of at least 3 months in those with new onset CH and for 12 months or more by those with chronic CH. After stopping the usage of these toothpastes, the CH attacks resolved completely within 5–10 days in all patients. In one patient we re‐challenged with the same toothpaste and got the CH attack after a period of 2 months. None of the patients had recurrence of CH attacks at follow‐up, ranging from 1 to 2 years. Conclusion EOs with pro‐convulsive properties may trigger and sustain CH. Physicians may consider inquiring about the exposure to these pro‐convulsant EOs in patients with CH and may consider advising the discontinuation of products like toothpastes containing them as a possible means of CH remission.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 96%

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Substance use related cluster headache: A case series

et al. 2022

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“…However, EO when orally ingested can result in seizures and even death [7,9]. Seizures in children are therefore a known complication of toxicity due to camphor and EO and have been reported after ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure [4,[7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. The proconvulsant essential oils of eucalyptus and camphor can cause both generalized and focal status epilepticus [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on Exposure to Camphor & Eucalyptus Essential Oils and Risk of Seizure Disorder in Children: A Cross Sectional Study

Nkolo,

Desire,

Fokunang

et al. 2024

JOCAMR

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Background: Camphor and eucalyptus essential oils contain camphor and eucalyptol respectively which serve as active ingredients in over-the-counter drugs to manage upper respiratory tract infections and pain in children. However, because of their pro-convulsant properties, seizures constitute a documented complication of their toxicity after ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of parents and health personnel on the risk of onset of seizures in children exposed to pharmaceutical products containing camphor and/or eucalyptus essential oils. Methods: This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted in the Mother and Child Centre of Chantal Biya Foundation, a reference hospital. The survey was conducted using questionnaires directed to health personnel and parents of hospitalized children under 8 years old. Results: A total of 350 parents out of the 360 encountered were included in the study and 57 health personnel out of the 100 encountered. Parents 337 (96.3%) and health personnel 18 (31.6%) had poor knowledge on the issue. Parents 338 (96.6%) and health personnel 54 (94.75%) had very satisfactory attitude scores. Both parents 319 (91.1%) and health personnel 31 (54.4%) had harmful practices scores. Conclusion: This study showed that both parents and health personnel had poor knowledge, very satisfactory attitudes and harmful practices towards the risk of onset of seizures in children exposed to pharmaceutical products containing camphor and/or eucalyptus essential oils.

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Medicines and Oral Treatments

Ernst

2022

Copernicus Books

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Essential oil related seizures (EORS): A multi-center prospective study on essential oils and seizures in adults

Cited by 9 publications

References 27 publications

Substance use related cluster headache: A case series

Substance use related cluster headache: A case series

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices on Exposure to Camphor & Eucalyptus Essential Oils and Risk of Seizure Disorder in Children: A Cross Sectional Study

Medicines and Oral Treatments

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