Alcohol and Epilepsy: A Potential Seizure Trigger

Most of these antiepileptic medications also have side effects that mimic those of alcohol. They may slow down central nervous system responses, make a person sleepy, or cause parts of the brain to work differently. If you research a medication and these symptoms show up, it’s likely that AED will lower your tolerance for alcohol, too.

Awareness or consciousness return slowly after the alcohol withdrawal seizure ends. The person may appear confused, sleepy, irritable, embarrassed, or frightened afterwards. If you take an ASM, speak with your doctor about the risks of drinking alcohol.

For people with epilepsy, alcohol may interfere with anti-seizure medications and increase the risk of seizures. People who drink a lot of alcohol for an extended period can develop permanent changes in their brains, and removing alcohol can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Seizures, and a severe condition called delirium tremens, are possible complications of alcohol withdrawal. Heavy, long-term alcohol use and withdrawal from alcohol can lead to seizures. Alcohol can also trigger seizures if you have epilepsy and often interacts poorly with anti-seizure medications. There seems to be no increased risk for epilepsy in persons who drink less than 50 grams (about two drinks) of alcohol daily.

Epilepsy and alcohol – is it ever safe?

Consuming alcohol is a common seizure trigger for people with epilepsy. People who chronically consume large amounts of alcohol seem to be more likely to have epilepsy than people who don’t. The CMA suggests patients with alcohol dependence, including alcohol withdrawal seizures, should not be allowed to drive any type of motor vehicle. If a patient wishes to regain their licence, s/he must complete a recognized rehabilitation program for substance dependence and remain sober and and seizure free for 12 months. Binge drinking is defined as a pattern of drinking that brings blood alcohol concentration to 0.08 percent or higher.

Alcohol can also trigger seizures by changing your blood levels of AEDs and other medications. Finally, alcohol can also negatively affect your sleep, contributing to potential seizures. Chronic alcohol abuse is linked to an increased risk of epilepsy (seizure disorder). The sooner you seek professional treatment and get sober, the better your chances of avoiding these serious health complications. The severity of alcohol withdrawal symptoms depends on the severity of the alcohol use disorder.

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a condition that occurs after an abrupt stopping of heavy drinking in people with alcohol use disorders (AUD). Limiting or eliminating caffeine or nicotine intake can decrease your risk of seizures if those are triggers for you. Other drugs that trigger seizures, including recreational and illicit substances, should be avoided. In one small study from 2018, people with epilepsy who reported seizures after drinking had consumed seven or more standard-sized drinks before their seizures occurred. Nearly all of the seizures occurred within 12 hours after they stopped drinking. Furthermore, seizures seemed particularly likely if the participants did not regularly drink that much alcohol.

Alcohol and risk of SUDEP in a person with epilepsy

In almost all can you drink alcohol if you have seizures cases, seizures occurred within 12 hours of stopping alcohol consumption. People with a history of alcohol misuse seem to have a greater risk of developing sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) than people with epilepsy with no history. Alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous for many reasons, but seizures and the possible development of delirium tremens increase the risk of severe complications or even death. Getting a good night’s rest is important for proper brain function in all people and especially for those living with epilepsy. Like taking your medication, getting the proper amount of sleep at the right time is important for controlling seizures. Some medications, including over-the-counter options, can change how the body processes your AEDs, leading to seizures.

Also, if there are 3 or more seizures in a row and the person does not regain consciousness in between seizures, they should be evaluated in a hospital emergency room. Experiencing this kind of seizure can make you hurt yourself by biting your tongue or hitting your head. BetterHelp offers affordable mental health care via phone, video, or live-chat.

1. If you experience an alcohol-related seizure, seek immediate medical attention.
2. Awareness or consciousness return slowly after the alcohol withdrawal seizure ends.
3. The risk in people with epilepsy is roughly 1 in 1,000 people per year.
4. Alcohol may negatively affect sleep, and sleep disruptions may trigger seizures.
5. Your doctor may use a test called an electroencephalogram (also called an EEG) to make the determination.

About 5 percent of people detoxing from alcohol abuse will have alcohol withdrawal seizures as part of the process of quitting drinking. This can happen whether or not a person has epilepsy at the time of the withdrawal. However, people with epilepsy may be more likely to have seizures while going through alcohol withdrawal. Heavy alcohol use can lead to seizures, especially when you stop drinking and start to enter a period of withdrawal.

Dangers of an Alcohol Withdrawal Seizure

Alcohol withdrawal seizures typically develop 6-48 hours after you stop drinking, but they can occur 2-7 days after your last drink. The seizures can develop abruptly without warning, and multiple seizures can occur within a 6- to 8-hour period. When alcohol withdrawal syndrome sets in, seizures may arise within approximately 6 to 48 hours.

Factors in Choosing Epilepsy Treatments for Your Child

Always check with your health care provider or pharmacist to see if any of your medication or supplements interact with your epilepsy medication. If drinking alcohol worsens your seizures, you should avoid alcohol completely. Excessive alcohol use can lead to abnormal electrical activity in the brain, worsen seizures and disrupt sleep, which may also trigger a seizure. This is a serious complication of the alcohol withdrawal syndrome and needs to be treated in a hospital emergency room. Perhaps the biggest risk with alcohol and seizures is binge drinking.