Absence and atonic seizures induced by piperazine

A previously healthy 2-year-old girl, who presented with transient neurologic dysfunction manifested mainly by absence and atonic seizures, was treated with large doses of the antihelminthic piperazine hexahydrate. The role of piperazine salts and piperazine-containing compounds in producing neurotoxic side effects is discussed. We suggest that these drugs be considered as a possible cause of transient encephalopathy and nonepileptic seizures in previously healthy individuals.