Alcohol and Epilepsy
Imagine going to a party, talking, laughing with your friends, having some beers, and after being intoxicated, you come back home and sleep. If you have a history of epilepsy and are on anti-epileptic drugs, do you think taking alcohol would be wise? Is there any association between alcohol and epilepsy? In this article, we will talk about the relationship between alcohol and epilepsy.
What is Epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a brain disorder that diagnosed after having two or more unprovoking seizures. A seizure is a sudden uncontrolled electrical activity between the nerves in the brain causing temporary abnormalities in muscle tone or movements, behaviors, sensations, or states of awareness. Many trigger factors can provoke an episode of seizure. A specific time of day, sleep deprivation, drug abuse, and photosensitivity are some of the common triggers which can cause a seizure. Apart from these common seizure triggers, alcohol also plays a role as a trigger factor for seizures.
Alcoholism and Seizures
According to the research, it has been found that drinking a small amount of alcohol now and then is unlikely to cause any seizures. It doesn’t change the concentration of anti-seizure medications in the body. But having more than 3 alcoholic beverages in a short period puts the patient at significant risk of developing a seizure. Binge drinking would substantially increase the risk of seizure which can even lead to a condition called status epilepticus. Status epilepticus is when a patient experiences a seizure episode that lasts longer than 5 minutes or when there are 2 or more seizure episodes within 5 minutes in which the patient had not regained consciousness between episodes. This is a life-threatening condition that may lead to permanent brain damage.
So, should an Epileptic Patient Give up Drinking at Once?
Similar to alcohol drinking, alcohol withdrawal can also have a significant adverse effect on the patient. Chronic alcoholic patients have a higher chance of developing seizures when the drinking is stopped suddenly. It usually manifests between 6 and 72 hours after the last drink. Sometimes some people may experience a severe form of alcohol withdrawal resulting in profound confusion, autonomic hyperactivity, and cardiovascular collapse. This is defined as alcohol withdrawal delirium, more commonly known as delirium tremens (DT). It may need hospitalization and ICU monitoring and sometimes leading to death So, for an epileptic patient, it is better to consult a doctor to get advice on how to safely reduce and stop drinking.
Are there any Interactions between Anti-epileptic Drugs and Alcohol?
Both alcohol and anti-epileptic drugs get metabolized in the liver. Alcohol can change the metabolism of the anti-epileptic drugs which causes a change in the concentration of anti-epileptic drugs. If increased it can lead to toxicity, while the decrease in anti-epileptic drugs can lead to its inefficacy. Also, when alcohol is taken with benzodiazepines it can lead to depression of the central nervous system, along with memory loss.
How can an Epileptic Patient get Rid of the Alcohol Abuse Problem?
Zonisamide and topiramate are some of the anti-epileptic drugs available that can reduce the alcohol craving along with the withdrawal symptoms even though their main action is to prevent seizures. But one of the side effects associated with these is loss of appetite. As alcohol abusers are mainly thin and malnourished, loss of appetite can lead to further malnourishment. Therefore, it is highly recommended to stop drinking alcohol gradually with the advice of a doctor. If it is impossible to stop completely, drinking in moderation and slowly is better.