What are the symptoms of a clonic seizure?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Clonic seizures are a type of epileptic seizure marked by rhythmic, repetitive jerking of the muscles, most often affecting the arms, legs, or face. These involuntary movements occur on both sides of the body and may be accompanied by loss of awareness or consciousness. Clonic seizures can last from several seconds to a few minutes and may signal an underlying neurological condition that needs evaluation.

Because seizure symptoms can overlap with many other conditions, understanding what's happening in your body is the critical first step. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to get personalized insights and clear guidance on your next steps—no appointment or sign-up required.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/20/2026

Important Next Steps

Learn likely causes of clonic seizures Find out if your symptoms need care See if seizures need urgent evaluation Explore OTC options for seizure-related symptoms Find a neurologist for seizure concerns Discover safe home remedies for seizures Understand if this could be epilepsy

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Explanation

Clonic seizures are a type of generalized seizure marked by repeated, rhythmic muscle contractions. Common symptoms include:

Jerking movements: Regular, rhythmic shaking or twitching, often in both sides of the body. Muscle contractions: These movements may affect the face, arms, legs, or entire body. Loss of consciousness: Some people lose awareness during the seizure, while others remain partially aware. Breathing changes: Breathing may be irregular during the seizure. Fatigue or confusion afterward: The person may feel sleepy, weak, or disoriented during the recovery period (postictal phase).

Clonic seizures can occur on their own but are more often seen as part of tonic-clonic seizures. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, you can use our free AI symptom checker to help identify possible causes before consulting with a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment.

(References)

Fotedar N, Acar A, Hakami S, Praditukrit K, Morris A, Dela Vega M, et al. (2024). Semiology and Neurophysiology of Clonic Seizures. Neurology. Clinical practice, 38585439.
Theodore WH, Porter RJ, Albert P, Kelley K, Bromfield E, Devinsky O, & Sato S. (1994). The secondarily generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Neurology, 8058138.
Bell WL, Walczak TS, Shin C, & Radtke RA. (1997). Painful generalised clonic and tonic-clonic seizures with .... Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry, 9416819.

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