Learn About Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure

What is the definition of Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure?

Bilateral tonic-clonic seizure is a type of seizure that involves the entire body. It is also called grand mal seizure. The terms generalized seizure, convulsion, or epilepsy are most often associated with bilateral tonic-clonic seizures.

What are the alternative names for Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure?

Seizure - tonic-clonic; Seizure - grand mal; Grand mal seizure; Seizure - generalized; Epilepsy - generalized seizure

What are the causes of Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure?

Seizures result from electrical overactivity in the brain. Bilateral tonic-clonic seizures may occur in people of any age. They can occur once (single episode). Or, they can occur as part of a repeated, chronic illness (epilepsy). Some seizures are due to psychological problems (psychogenic or non-epileptic).

What are the symptoms of Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure?

Many people with generalized bilateral tonic-clonic seizures have an aura with one or more symptoms before the seizure such as:

  • Vision, taste, smell, or sensory changes.
  • Seeing, smelling, or sometimes hearing things that are not there (hallucinations).
  • Dizziness or other symptoms.

Some people have a focal onset seizure (only affecting one part of the body) that becomes a bilateral tonic-clonic seizure.

The seizures often result in rigid muscles (tonic phase). This is followed by violent muscle contractions (clonic phase). Other symptoms that occur during the seizure may include:

  • Biting the cheek or tongue
  • Clenched teeth or jaw
  • Loss of urine or stool control (incontinence)
  • Stopped breathing or difficulty breathing
  • Blue skin color (cyanosis)

After the seizure, the person may have:

  • Confusion
  • Drowsiness or sleepiness that lasts for 1 hour or longer (called the post-ictal state)
  • Loss of memory (amnesia) about the seizure episode
  • Headache
  • Weakness of one side of the body for a few minutes to a few hours following seizure (called Todd paralysis)
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What are the current treatments for Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure?

Treatment for tonic-clonic seizures includes medicines, changes in lifestyle for adults and children, such as activity and diet, and sometimes surgery. Your provider can tell you more about these options.

Who are the top Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure Local Doctors?
Family Medicine
Family Medicine

Our Lady Of The Lake Physician Group LLC

310 Durel Dr, 
New Roads, LA 
 8.8 mi
Accepting New Patients

Paul Rachal is a Family Medicine provider in New Roads, Louisiana. Dr. Rachal and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure. His top areas of expertise are Bronchitis, Tenosynovitis, Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), and Sciatica. Dr. Rachal is currently accepting new patients.

Internal Medicine | General Practice
Internal Medicine | General Practice
3050 Charles Dr, 
Jackson, LA 
 11.1 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Nnamdi Nwabueze is an Internal Medicine specialist and a General Practice provider in Jackson, Louisiana. Dr. Nwabueze and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure. His top areas of expertise are Glucocorticoid-Remediable Aldosteronism, Familial Hypertension, Hypertension, and Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). Dr. Nwabueze is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine
12880 Plank Rd, 
Baker, LA 
 21.3 mi
Accepting New Patients

Mark Mouton is an Internal Medicine provider in Baker, Louisiana. Dr. Mouton and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure. His top areas of expertise are Cellulitis, Schizoaffective Disorder, Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), and End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Dr. Mouton is currently accepting new patients.

What are the latest Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizure Clinical Trials?
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A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter, Phase 3 Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of XEN1101 As Adjunctive Therapy in Primary Generalized Tonic-Clonic Seizures

Summary: This is a Phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the clinical efficacy, safety, and tolerability of XEN1101 administered as adjunctive treatment in primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (PGTCS).

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: March 31, 2024
Published By: Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Department of Neurology, Cooper Medical School at Rowan University, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Abou-Khalil BW, Gallagher MJ, Macdonald RL. Epilepsies. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 100.

Kanner AM, Ashman E, Gloss D, et al. Practice guideline update summary: Efficacy and tolerability of the new antiepileptic drugs I: Treatment of new-onset epilepsy: Report of the Guideline Development, Dissemination, and Implementation Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society. Neurology. 2018;91(2):74-81. PMID: 29898971 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29898971/.

Mikati MA, Tchapyjnikov D, Rathke KM. Seizures in childhood. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 633.

Wiebe S. The epilepsies. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 372.