Cocaine-Related Seizures in Adults

Abstract

Cocaine abuse is associated with a variety of severe acute neurologic complications. These include ischemic stroke, subarachnoid and intraparenchymal hemorrhage, syncope, seizures, and death. Eleven adult patients with cocaine-related seizures are reported. All were seen during the 1987 calendar year at the King/Drew Medical Center and Urban Comprehensive Epilepsy Program of Los Angeles. Three apparent clinical circumstances with defined methods of intake and time course after usage were identified in our cases. Seizures occurred 1) as acute provoked convulsions in patients known to have epilepsy, 2) spontaneously in otherwise normal individuals after acute snorting or “crack smoking,” and 3) agonally with massive ingestion.