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Seizure Disorders - Neurologic Disorders - Merck Manual Professional Edition

The document outlines various causes of seizures, including high fever, brain infections, metabolic disorders, and structural damage to the brain. It also lists specific examples for each cause, such as infections like meningitis and conditions like kidney failure. Additionally, it highlights the role of medications and toxins in potentially triggering seizures.

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03-grocery.frank
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Seizure Disorders - Neurologic Disorders - Merck Manual Professional Edition

The document outlines various causes of seizures, including high fever, brain infections, metabolic disorders, and structural damage to the brain. It also lists specific examples for each cause, such as infections like meningitis and conditions like kidney failure. Additionally, it highlights the role of medications and toxins in potentially triggering seizures.

Uploaded by

03-grocery.frank
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Seizure Disorders - Neurologic Disorders - Merck Manual Professional Edition 14/02/25, 10:50 AM

Causes of Seizures
Cause Examples

High fever Heatstroke


Infections

Brain infections Abscess


HIV
Malaria
Meningitis
Rabies
Syphilis
Tetanus
Toxoplasmosis
Viral encephalitis

Metabolic disorders High blood levels of glucose


(hyperglycemia) or sodium
Low blood levels of glucose
(hypoglycemia), calcium, magnesium,
or sodium

Other disorders Kidney failure or liver failure, which


can lead to dysfunction of the brain
(encephalopathy)
Vitamin B6 deficiency (in newborns)

Inadequate oxygen supply to Abnormal heart rhythms


the brain Cardiac arrest
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Near drowning
Near suffocation
Stroke
Vasculitis

Structural damage to the Brain tumor (noncancerous or


brain cancerous)

Head injury
Hydrocephalus
Intracranial hemorrhage (bleeding
within the skull)
Stroke

Abnormalities present or Birth defect


occurring at birth, including Hereditary metabolic disorders, such
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Seizure Disorders - Neurologic Disorders - Merck Manual Professional Edition 14/02/25, 10:50 AM

Hereditary metabolic disorders, such


genetic disorders as Tay-Sachs disease or
phenylketonuria
Injury during birth

Fluid accumulation in the Eclampsia


brain (cerebral edema) Hypertensive encephalopathy

Prescription medications* Buspirone (used to treat anxiety


disorders)
Camphor
*Cefepime (an antibiotic)
*Chlorpromazine (used to treat
schizophrenia)
Ciprofloxacin (an antibiotic)
Chloroquine (used to treat malaria)
Clozapine (usually used to treat
schizophrenia)
Cyclosporine (used to prevent and
treat rejection of organ transplants)
Imipenem (an antibiotic)
*Indomethacin (used to relieve pain
and reduce inflammation)
*Meperidine (used to relieve pain)
*Phenytoin†
Theophylline (used to treat asthma
and other airway disorders)
Tricyclic antidepressants

Illicit drugs Amphetamines


Cocaine (overdose)

Withdrawal of a medication Alcohol


or substance after heavy use General anesthetics (used during
surgery)
Sedatives, including sleep aids

Exposure to toxins Lead


Strychnine

* Various medications can cause seizures if too much is taken. In some people,
certain medications can make seizures more likely to occur by making nerve
cells in the brain easier to stimulate. These medications are said to lower the
seizure threshold.

† Phenytoin, used to treat seizure disorders, can cause seizures if too much is
taken.

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Seizure Disorders - Neurologic Disorders - Merck Manual Professional Edition 14/02/25, 10:50 AM

© 2025Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. All rights
reserved.

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