title: Camphor: an herbal medicine causing grand mal seizures.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Kathmandu, Nepal.
authors.forename: Theodore G
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8081-7226
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: MacKinney
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Oncology, Nepal Academy of Medical Science, Kathmandu, Nepal.
authors.forename: Kamal Raj
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Soti
authors.affiliation: Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Patan Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal.
authors.forename: Poojan
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1604-082X
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shrestha
authors.affiliation: Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Patan Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal.
authors.forename: Buddha
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Basnyat
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002164:Camphor / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004830:Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D028321:Plant Preparations; D002164:Camphor