The FDA recently announced that they had received numerous reports of seizures associated with the use of JUUL vaping and other e-cigarettes.

“Vaping” is a relatively recent trend related to the e-cigarette market.

Unlike traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes do not contain the tar and carcinogens that make cigarettes.

Instead, e-cigarettes use a nicotine “juice” to create a vapor that can be inhaled like smoke.

These products have been touted as innovating tools which can be used to help individuals stop smoking and slowly wean off of nicotine.

However, e-cigarettes may be harmful to youth and young adults. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance and popular e-cigarettes such as the JUUL vape pen may release nicotine and other chemicals at a higher rate than traditional cigarettes.

This means that young individuals who have never smoked before may be faced with a serious nicotine addiction through the use of JUUL vape pens and other e-cigarettes.

According to a recent announcement by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb and Principal Deputy Commissioner Amy Abernethy, the FDA is investigating reports of e-cigarettes like JUUL pods causing seizures.

The April 3 statement notes that seizures are a known side effect of nicotine poisoning and that scientific literature has reported seizures as a result of accidentally or intentionally swallowing e-liquids.

The announcement reports that there were 35 adverse events involving seizures after using e-cigarettes between 2010 and 2019. Some of the seizures occurred in first time e-cigarette users while other occurred in habitual users.

Other situations included the use of substances such as marijuana or amphetamines. Some seizures reportedly occurred up to one day after usage while others occurred after a few puffs of a JUUL pen or e-cigarette.

There may have been more cases that were not reported to the FDA or poison control.

Although 35 cases may not seem like a high number, the FDA believes it is important for the public to know that they are investigating the risks.

“We want to be clear that we don’t yet know if there’s a direct relationship between the use of e-cigarettes and a risk of seizure. We can’t yet say for certain that e-cigarettes are causing these seizures,” the FDA announcement states.

“We’re sharing this early information with the public because as a public health agency, it’s our job to communicate about potential safety concerns associated with the products we regulate that are under scientific investigation by the agency.”

Seizures occur due to “sudden, abnormal electrical activity in the brain,” according to the FDA’s special announcement.

Symptoms of a seizure may vary, but they are most often associated with full body convulsions. Other potential symptoms include a lapse in awareness or consciousness. Seizures can last for a few seconds or minutes.

After a seizure, the person may seem fine or they may experience fatigue, confusion, or a headache. Most seizures do not cause lasting harm, but repeated seizures can cause brain damage and seizures may indicate a larger health issue that needs medical attention.

The FDA encourages individuals to call 911 immediately if they believe that someone is having a seizure.

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.