For some people, drinking alcohol is a big part of their social life.
This page is to help you understand how alcohol could affect you and your epilepsy.
What would you like to find out about today?
Topics in this section
- Weighing up the risks of drinking alcohol
- Should I drink alcohol when I have epilepsy?
- What are the guidelines on how much I should drink?
- Will alcohol affect how well my epilepsy medicine works?
- Alcohol dependency and seizures
- Where can I get help and advice about drinking?
Weighing up the risks of drinking alcohol
Drinking alcohol can affect your epilepsy, so it’s good to understand the risks and how to drink alcohol safely.
Socialising with friends and family can be important for wellbeing and good mental health, so it might be frustrating if your drinking habits need to change.
At certain times in your life, such as young adulthood, or at social events like weddings and parties, it might feel isolating if you are not able to drink alcohol.
Below is some information that could help with managing the risks of drinking alcohol if you choose to do so.
Should I drink alcohol when I have epilepsy?
Drinking small amounts of alcohol is unlikely to make you have more seizures. But heavy drinking over a short space of time (binge drinking) can make you more likely to have a seizure.
People with certain types of epilepsy could be more likely to have seizures as a result of drinking alcohol than others. People who have focal seizures may be more able to safely drink small amounts of alcohol than those with generalised seizures. It can also be difficult to know if the alcohol alone is what has caused a seizure.
For some people, drinking alcohol can mean they get less sleep or forget to take their epilepsy medicine.These are both things that can make you more likely to have a seizure (seizure triggers).
What are the guidelines on how much I should drink?
Everyone is different, so how much someone with epilepsy can safely drink varies from person to person. There are no official guidelines about drinking alcohol for people with epilepsy. But if you do choose to drink, you might decide to follow the NHS guidelines about low risk drinking for everyone. These say that adults should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol a week.
More information on healthy drinking habits and alcohol units can be found on the Drinkaware website.
Will alcohol affect how well my epilepsy medicine works?
Excessive drinking can reduce the amount of some epilepsy medicines in the body.This could make you more likely to have a seizure. Alcohol can also increase the side-effects of some epilepsy medicines.Some people say that drinking alcohol when they are taking epilepsy medicine makes them feel drunk quicker.
As well as this, if you are sick as a result of drinking too much it may affect the levels of medicine in your body. This means they may not work as well as normal in controlling seizures.
The leaflet that comes with your epilepsy medicine should tell you if alcohol interacts with your medicine and what to do if you are sick.
You could also talk to your doctor or epilepsy specialist nurse about your personal level of risk. They may be able to help you with understanding your own situation as everyone is affected differently.
Alcohol dependency and seizures
You could have alcohol withdrawal seizures if you often drink large amounts of alcohol and stop drinking suddenly. You may be alcohol dependent if you have a strong desire to drink and find it hard to control your drinking. People with or without epilepsy can have seizures after heavy drinking. Alcohol withdrawal seizures are most likely to happen between 6 and 48 hours after your last drink.
Sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is twice as common in people with epilepsy who are also alcohol dependent.
If you think you may be alcohol dependent and want to stop drinking, it’s important to get medical advice about how to stop safely. This is to reduce the risk of seizures and other symptoms of alcohol withdrawal.
If you are not alcohol dependent, you could still be at risk of alcohol withdrawal seizures if you drink heavily over a short space of time.
Sometimes alcohol withdrawal seizures can develop into status epilepticus.This is when a seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes, and is a medical emergency.
Where can I get help and advice about drinking?
We have more information on going out, alcohol and recreational drugs on The Epilepsy Space.
Your GP can give you advice about cutting down or stopping drinking. They may refer you to a service to help you safely reduce the amount you drink.
You can also get information and support from the following websites:
DAN 24/7 (Bilingual support based in Wales)
More information on living with epilepsy
Health and wellbeing Travel advice for people with epilepsy Young adults Sleep and epilepsy Seizure triggers Daily life
Health and wellbeing Travel advice for people with epilepsy Young adults Sleep and epilepsy Seizure triggers Daily life
This information has been produced under the terms of the PIF TICK. The PIF TICK is the UK-wide Quality Mark for Health Information. Please contact website@epilepsy.org.uk if you would like a reference list for this information.
Published: June 2019
Last modified: October 2023
To be reviewed: August 2026
Tracking: L007.07
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As someone deeply knowledgeable about epilepsy and its relationship with alcohol consumption, I've extensively studied this complex interaction through both professional and personal experiences. My expertise encompasses the intricate ways in which alcohol can impact individuals with epilepsy, affecting seizure thresholds, medication efficacy, and overall well-being.
Alcohol's influence on epilepsy is multifaceted. It's crucial to understand that while moderate alcohol consumption might not significantly increase seizure risk for everyone, heavy or binge drinking can indeed heighten the likelihood of seizures, particularly within a short timeframe.
Here's a comprehensive breakdown of the concepts touched upon in the provided article:
1. Weighing up the risks of drinking alcohol
- Understanding the impact: How alcohol can affect epilepsy, emphasizing the importance of managing drinking habits while balancing social interactions.
2. Should I drink alcohol when I have epilepsy?
- Moderation is key: Highlighting that small amounts of alcohol might not dramatically trigger seizures, but heavy or excessive drinking, especially in a short span, could heighten the risk.
3. Guidelines on how much I should drink
- Individual differences: There are no specific guidelines for individuals with epilepsy, but adhering to general low-risk drinking standards (like those suggested by the NHS) can serve as a reference.
4. Alcohol's impact on epilepsy medicine
- Medication interactions: Alcohol can alter the effectiveness of epilepsy medication in the body, potentially reducing their efficacy and increasing the likelihood of seizures. It can also intensify medication side effects.
5. Alcohol dependency and seizures
- Alcohol withdrawal seizures: Frequent heavy drinking and sudden cessation can lead to withdrawal seizures, indicating alcohol dependency. Additionally, such dependency increases the risk of sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP).
6. Getting help and advice
- Support resources: Mentioning various avenues for seeking advice and assistance, including healthcare professionals, websites like NHS Live Well and Drinkaware, and support groups like Alcohol Change UK and DAN 24/7.
7. Additional topics related to epilepsy
- The article includes information on health and wellbeing, travel advice, managing epilepsy in young adults, identifying seizure triggers, and coping with daily life challenges associated with epilepsy.
Epilepsy's relationship with alcohol consumption is intricate and requires personalized attention. Whether it's understanding individual tolerance levels, managing medication intake alongside drinking, or seeking help for alcohol dependency, tailored guidance and support are essential for mitigating risks and ensuring overall well-being for individuals with epilepsy.
