Alcohol consumption or withdrawal may trigger seizures in those with epilepsy. Some experts link excessive alcohol consumption to the development of epilepsy. The amount of alcohol intake before alcohol-related seizures was at least 7 standard drinks, or the equivalent of 1.4 liters of beer or 700 milliliters of wine.
- In conclusion, people with epilepsy can drink alcohol in moderation.
- If drinking alcohol worsens your seizures, you should avoid alcohol completely.
- Sometimes alcohol consumption and some epileptic seizure drugs can have similar effects, so consuming both simultaneously can potentially cause serious problems.
- It doesn’t always feel convenient to take your meds on a night out but if you’re tempted to skip taking them because of an event or big night – don’t.
- A diagnosis of epilepsy does not automatically mean you have to stop drinking alcohol.
Don’t forget to take your meds
This means that some people who do not actually have epilepsy may also experience seizures when they stop drinking. This is especially true for alcoholics or people who often drink heavily. A 2017 review found that a history of alcohol misuse increased the risk of post-traumatic epilepsy in people with traumatic brain injury.
For many people, being able to have a drink with friends and family is an important can you drink alcohol if you have seizures part of their life. However, for some people drinking too much alcohol can be a seizure trigger. It can be easy to forget once you start drinking, but it is always in your best interest to set a reminder or tell a friend to remind you to take your medication. Otherwise, missing a dose can increase your risk of having a seizure. It is generally safe for people with epilepsy to drink a small amount of alcohol up to a certain level. Delirium tremens is the most severe form of alcohol withdrawal and affects about 2% of people with alcohol use disorder.
Related Conditions
- It is important to discuss your individual risk for drinking with your health care team.
- Ultimately, everyone’s brain is different and responds to alcohol in different ways.
- The interaction of alcohol and ASMs makes driving more hazardous, even if you have consumed an amount within the legal limit, so you should avoid driving in these circumstances.
- In another 2020 study, researchers found that people with epilepsy were more 5 times more likely to die from alcohol-related causes than people without epilepsy.
- People who drink large amounts of alcohol and suddenly stop are at a higher-than-usual risk of seizures.
Early detection can lead to timely and effective medical intervention hence promoting faster recovery. Furthermore, alcohol can affect the metabolism of antiepileptic medications. Seizure activity due to alcohol withdrawal typically occurs in someone (with or without epilepsy) who has been drinking excessively over a long period of time. The withdrawal seizures triggered by alcohol withdrawal are not due to epilepsy itself. Alcohol and seizure medication may interact in ways that make it more likely that some people will have a seizure. For example, alcohol may reduce the levels of some anti-seizure medication (ASM) in your blood or alter their effectiveness in the brain.
Can alcohol trigger seizures in epilepsy?
Alcohol can be a part of a fun night out but it’s also a depressant. It dehydrates the body, it suppresses cognitive functions and makes you feel drunk. It can even cause seizures in people who don’t have epilepsy – particularly those who binge-drink large amounts of alcohol at one time or are dependent on alcohol. Well when the alcohol wears off, your brain tries to achieve its usual rhythm after being slowed down.
Having a breakthrough seizure from not taking your medication can be dangerous. Set an alarm on your phone to make sure you take your medication on time. Consuming alcohol makes it even more dangerous, and it is never a good idea to combine drinking and driving, even in small amounts. Usually, epileptic medication can impact your ability to drive safely, so you should discuss this with your doctor. If your medication allows drinking, only drink a few drinks, and make sure to drink slowly. Although these are general guidelines, your tolerance or consumption recommendation can vary based on your overall health, size, and medical condition.
Perhaps the biggest risk with alcohol and seizures is binge drinking. This is when you drink a lot of alcohol in a short amount of time or drink continually for many hours. Over 50% of alcohol withdrawal seizures may relate to additional risk factors, such as preexisting epilepsy, structural brain lesions, or drug use.
For 1 in 3 people, meds aren’t enough
According to the researchers, these results are consistent with previous studies. Sleeping in can also make you forget to take your medication or take it much later than usual. Plus, it’s essential to look after yourself and ensure your alcohol consumption doesn’t stop you from taking your epilepsy medication. If you have epilepsy, it is crucial to consult with your physician regarding alcohol consumption and your specific condition. Your doctor can tell you how alcohol may interact with your medications. A report from 2021 also found that alcohol-related deaths were five times more likely in people with epilepsy than those without the condition.
It is possible for chronic alcohol consumption to cause seizures in people without a history of seizures. Heavy alcohol consumption is a common trigger for seizures in those who already have epilepsy. It’s important to always talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume alcohol with your medication. Consuming alcohol in large quantities for extended periods seems to increase seizure frequency and might increase your risk of SUDEP. In a 2020 study, research found that the risk of SUDEP was twice as high in people with a history of alcohol dependence or substance misuse disorder. The researchers also found that the risk of epilepsy increased as alcohol consumption increased.
Are There Ways to Reduce the Risk of Drinking Alcohol for People With Epilepsy?
This means consuming roughly five or more drinks for a man, or four or more drinks for a woman, in about two hours. Bacterial and viral infections that cause colds, other illnesses, and fevers can make you more prone to seizures. Many factors may be at play, including poor sleep, dehydration, and the overall stress of being ill. Conditions that cause vomiting can affect your ability to keep down seizure medications, which puts you at risk for seizures. Its effects can depend on various factors like the type of medication you take, the frequency of your seizures, and your overall health condition.
Even if alcohol itself doesn’t trigger your or your loved one’s seizures, it’s important to understand whether your antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are compatible with alcohol. For some people, certain situations can trigger (set off) a seizure. Common triggers include lack of sleep, stress, alcohol, and not taking their prescribed anti-seizure medication (ASM). Drinking water in between alcoholic drinks can help reduce the chances of a hangover, but will not prevent seizures from occurring. The patient information leaflet that comes with your ASM should say if alcohol is not recommended. Whether to drink alcohol or take recreational drugs is a personal choice, but it is worth knowing the possible effects they could have on your epilepsy.
Medical professionals often recommend that people with epilepsy avoid or consume a moderate amount of alcohol. If you do drink, avoid binge drinking or chronically high consumption, which may help reduce your seizure severity or frequency. Consuming alcohol seems to aggravate seizures in people with epilepsy and may lead to increased seizure frequency. Doctors often warn people who have epilepsy to avoid alcohol or to only drink in moderation. Heavy, long-term alcohol use and withdrawal from alcohol can lead to seizures.
If you are thinking about discontinuing alcohol, you must have an understanding of these factors to enable you to seek proper medical advice and support. It doesn’t always feel convenient to take your meds on a night out but if you’re tempted to skip taking them because of an event or big night – don’t. Talk to your epilepsy team about your options and see if you could flex your timetable slightly so your meds can fit around what you planned.
Is It Safe to Drink Alcohol if You Have Epilepsy?
Some people seem to be more prone to having seizures during alcohol withdrawal. It doesn’t necessarily mean they will go on to develop epilepsy, which is where you have two or more unprovoked seizures. It’s important to be aware that uncontrolled alcohol withdrawal can be fatal, and there is a risk of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy.
Additionally, it is important to take note of any changes in behavior or symptoms that may have occurred prior to the discomfort. Additionally, ensure you are aware of any medications you may be taking for epilepsy, as alcohol can interact with these medications, making them less effective. The knowledge of the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal seizures is particularly relevant to those who wish to give up drinking.
People who chronically consume large amounts of alcohol seem to be more likely to have epilepsy than people who don’t. If you have epilepsy, drinking a large amount of alcohol in a short space of time can trigger a breakthrough seizure putting you at risk. Even people without epilepsy can sometimes have a seizure after a night of binge drinking. If you experience any discomfort after drinking alcohol, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Your risk of developing seizures seems to increase with an increasing amount of alcohol. Seizures often seem to develop in the hours after you stop consuming alcohol. These changes can promote seizure activity in people with and without epilepsy during periods of alcohol withdrawal. So, if you choose to drink, it may be a good idea to follow the CDC guidelines² for alcohol consumption.
