At least 35 people have experienced seizures relating to the use of electronic cigarettes containing too much nicotine, according to the FDA.

What are the effects of too much nicotine?

Too much nicotine may result in nicotine toxicity or poisoning. Often this occurs through ingestion, absorption of nicotine liquid through skin or eyes, or excessive inhalation. Moreover, the vaping liquid contained within e-cigarettes and vape pens is poisonous when swallowed, a fact that many e-cigarette users may not be aware of. Indeed, approximately two-thirds of youth ages 15–24 who use JUUL e-cigarettes do not know that JUUL products always contain nicotine, according to statistics provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Even when youth know that they are consuming nicotine through their e-cigarettes, many may not know how much, according to Stanford researchers.

Initial signs of nicotine poisoning may develop in the first 15 minutes to an hour after the overdose, according to WebMD. These symptoms may include excess saliva, nausea, stomach ache, vomiting, tremors, anxiety, sweating, rapid breathing, and increased heart rate. Within a few hours, more dangerous symptoms may begin to present, including slow heart rate, breathing difficulties, fatigue, diarrhea, seizures, or coma.

What does the FDA say?

On April 3, 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a statement on safety issues associated with e-cigarette use. Scott Gottlieb, the then–FDA Commissioner, stated that the FDA is investigating reports of nicotine-related seizures. Most of these incidents were reported by youths and young adults through the FDA’s adverse event reporting system from 2010 through the beginning of 2019. Although the FDA has declined to definitively state that vaping caused the reported seizures, Gottlieb has stated that “as a public health agency, it’s our job to communicate about potential safety concerns associated with the products we regulate.”

While 35 cases of e-cigarette related seizures were reported to the FDA, there is unfortunately not a clear pattern to the reports. Some patients experienced seizures immediately after inhaling while others only experienced seizures a full day later. In certain patients, there was a history of seizures or a seizure diagnosis. Some patients had combined e-cigarette usage with other drugs such as marijuana or amphetamines. There is no clear pattern in term of brands either, according to the FDA.

The 35 cases reported to the FDA may not be the only incidents where e-cigarette use resulted in seizures. If you have suffered from seizures after consuming nicotine through a vape pen or e-cigarette, including JUUL brand, you can report these incidents through the FDA’s adverse event reporting system.

Reporting detailed incidences of e-cigarette seizures can help the FDA identify the issue. By included information about brands, where the products were purchased, if the products were altered, and if other drugs were involved will help the FDA paint a clearer picture of the exact risks posed by e-cigarettes.

Until more information is available, consumers may be forced to play the waiting game.

However, the agency has taken action to ban JUUL products – some of the most popular e-cigarettes which contributed to the rise of vaping.

What are e-cigarettes?

E-cigarettes, also called vape pens, are hand-held electronic devices that heat and vaporize a liquid form of nicotine. The resulting vapor is then inhaled which gives a rush of nicotine. E-cigarettes have come into popularity as a somewhat healthier alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes, although the true risks of e-cigarettes are not clearly understood.

There are numerous brands of electronic cigarettes and their associated e-liquids available. Some e-liquids contain menthol, which provides a cool vapor, while others market exciting flavors. One of the most popular brands of e-cigarettes are JUUL.

What exactly is a seizure?

A seizure is a sudden onset of abnormal electrical impulses in the brain. Some seizures are so minimal that the patient may not notice the momentary change in brain activity, but other seizures can cause uncontrollable convulsions that cause the body’s muscles to become tense and the person to violently shake. Some seizures can result in unconsciousness.

Seizures may be marked by the following symptoms:

• Quick stiffening and loosening of the limbs or muscles
• Staring into space without movement
• Uncontrolled, spasmodic movements of the arms and legs
• Confusion
• A sudden sense of doom, fear or déjà vu
• Rapid blinking
• Falling to the ground
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Screaming or crying involuntarily
• Tongue or mouth involuntary movements

Two main kinds of seizures include the Focal Onset Aware Seizure and the Focal Onset Impaired Awareness Seizure. During the former, the patient remains conscious and the seizure generally lasts under 2 minutes; the patient may or may not be able to interact with others during the Focal Onset Aware Seizure. In the latter, the patient may lose consciousness and might make movements without knowing they are doing them.

Even though too much nicotine can lead to toxicity, which can spark a seizure, many other types of conditions can cause seizures, too.

Seizures may indicate the patient has had a stroke or is battling cancer or even a benign brain tumor. A severe head injury may cause a seizure, as may extremely low blood sugar or a very high fever. Brain infections, such as meningitis, may lead to seizures, and so can the novel coronavirus COVID-19.

What are JUUL e-cigarettes?

JUUL e-cigarettes are small and discreet, making them a popular choice for smokers. The pens look like small USB devices. They claim to be a healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes, due to the use of vapor rather than smoke. However, according to JUUL’s manufacturer, one pod of JUUL liquid has a nicotine level equal to a pack of 20 cigarettes.

As inhaling e-cigarette vapor may be smoother than smoking a cigarette, JUUL users may be inhaling more nicotine in a shorter period than they realize.

“E-cigarette use behaviors also vary and users may deliberately or inadvertently inhale more nicotine than would typically occur,” former FDA Commissioner Gottlieb and current Principal Deputy Commissioner Dr. Amy Abernethy said in their statement regarding e-cigarette seizures. The two added that e-liquids used in e-cigarettes “have varying levels of nicotine concentrations, and some e-cigarette design features may allow a user to obtain high levels of nicotine quickly.”

The FDA also noted that there is not yet enough data to know for sure if there is a direct relationship between too much nicotine from e-cigarette use and a risk of seizure, and that other factors may also contribute to these reported instances of seizures, such as an underlying medical condition, use of other substances, and more.

In 2018, Gottlieb referred to the use of JUUL pods and other e-cigarette products among youth as an “epidemic.”

“I use the word epidemic with great care,” Gottlieb said in a statement. “E-cigs have become an almost ubiquitous—and dangerous—trend among teens. The disturbing and accelerating trajectory of use we’re seeing in youth, and the resulting path to addiction, must end. It’s simply not tolerable.”

Indeed, more than 5 million middle and high school students were users of e-cigarettes in 2019, a substantial increase from the previous years. Many JUUL teen users don’t realize the risks. In fact, from 2017 to 2018, e-cigarette use among high school students increased by 78 percent, and by 48 percent among middle schoolers.

Additionally, JUUL has faced accusations and lawsuits alleging that the company is intentionally marketing to teens and young adults, in a similar manner to how the tobacco industry targeted young people.

The state of North Carolina recently filed a lawsuit against JUUL, claiming that the company has intentionally mislead consumers about the risks associated with vape pens, and targeted school children by designing colorful products and popular flavors, according to CNN Health.

JUUL products are now banned by the FDA after the agency declined the company’s market application.

The use of e-cigarettes has also been linked with heart and lung issues, as well as potentially increasing the risk of a more severe coronavirus infection.

If you or your child has suffered from seizures after using a Juul e-cigarette or other brand of vape pen, you may be eligible to hire an attorney and file a class action lawsuit. Filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by these kinds of side effects, but victims of seizures, and parents of victims of seizures from too much nicotine may be able to recover damages for medical expenses, loss of income, injuries, or pain and suffering.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, especially while dealing with medical complications, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork for you by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

Join a free JUUL e-cigarette class action lawsuit investigation

If you or your child suffered seizures after vaping with a JUUL e-cigarette, you may benefit from participating in a free JUUL class action lawsuit investigation.

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented 
for informational purposes only.