Pharmacy Clinical Pearl of the Day: Grand Mal Seizures

Author(s):

Many people who experience a grand mal seizure never have another one and don't need treatment.

Clinical Pearl of the Day: Grand Mal Seizures

A grand mal seizure causes a loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions.

Insight:

Grand mal seizures are the type most commonly associated with seizures.
A grand mal seizure—also known as a generalized tonic-clonic seizure—is caused by abnormal electrical activity throughout the brain.
Usually, a grand mal seizure is caused by epilepsy. However, sometimes this type of seizure can be triggered by other health problems, such as extremely low blood sugar, a high fever, or a stroke.
Many people who experience a grand mal seizure never have another one and don't need treatment. But someone who has recurrent seizures may need treatment with daily anti-seizure medications to control and prevent future grand mal seizures.
Symptoms include loss of consciousness, contractions, and falling.
Diagnosis includes neurological exam, blood test, lumbar puncture, CT, MRI, or PET exam.
Treatment includes medications such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), valproic acid (Depakene), oxcarbazepine (Oxtellar, Trileptal), lamotrigine (Lamictal), gabapentin (Gralise, Neurontin), topiramate (Topamax), phenobarbital, and zonisamide (Zonegran)

Sources:

Grand mal seizure - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic