Question 1

can certain types of alcohol effect epilepsy more than others?

Accepted Answer

Doubtful: Alcohol is alcohol. Drinking and epilepsy just don't go together. Amount of alcohol and potency of alcohol may have some impact but back to first lline.

Question 2

do certain types of alcohol affect epilepsy more?

Accepted Answer

In general, no: Alcohol is alcohol, and the brain just gets the pure stuff - the other things in the beverage that give it flavor and color dont play a role.  12 oz./beer has the same amount of ethyl alcohol as 5 oz/table wine and 1 1/2 oz/ distilled 80 proof spirits.  Alcohol can itself cause seizures, addiction to alcohol will cause serious seizures if you stop drinking, alcohol interferes with seizure medicine.

Question 3

i'm just wondering, if you have epilepsy and are not taking any medication can you drink alcohol?

Accepted Answer

Not advised: I would not drink alcohol with a history of seizures.

Question 4

should alcohol induced seizures receive the same long term care as epilepsy?

Accepted Answer

No: If truly alcohol induced, abstaining from alcohol should solve the problem, with no need for anti-epileptic drugs.  The problem is that sometimes alcohol may just be the trigger (eg "the straw that breaks the camel's back") in someone with a tendency  to have seizures even without alcohol.

Question 5

if you have epilepsy and are not taking any medication can you drink alcohol w/o going into a seizure?

Accepted Answer

At risk: Untreated epilepsy, if active, always provides a risk of a seizure, and subsequent injury or death.  This needs an effective and well tolerated medication.  Alcohol ingestion may well increase risk, especially at excess.  Furthermore, you should not drive a motor vehicle if you are experiencing seizures.  Discuss with your physician asap.

Question 6

can you drink if you have epilepsy? what does epilepsy have to do with alcohol consumption? why do the police ask if you have epilepsy when conducting dui checks?

Accepted Answer

Drinking : Drinking alcohol makes it more likely to have seizures, both while you are drinking and as the alcohol wears off.  Some people who don't even have epilepsy will have seizures if they drink too much. Some seizure medications do not react well with alcohol, and can make people much more impaired than they expect.  As for why police ask, I am not sure, but possible good reasons are 1) to see if there could have been another reason for the driver to drive poorly 2) to explain why their dui exam looks bad even if alcohol level is low (seizure drugs can make people dizzy) 3) to explain why their drug test shows certain chemicals that should not be there (if they are taking seizure medicines that have those drugs in them).

Question 7

can i drink alcohol while taking keppra (levetiracetam)? i don't have epilepsy. taking this medicine because i had eclampsia after i gave birth which caused 2 seizure

Accepted Answer

Same issues: Using levETIRAcetam together with ethanol may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination. Don't drink and take Keppra together please.  Ref: https://www.drugs.com/interactions-check.php?drug_list=1034-14582,1448-858

Question 8

i have epilepsy. i quit drinking alcohol. i couldn't sleep last night and kept having seizure auras, shakes, panic. i feel if i do not just drink, that i won't sleep and will have a grand mal seizure. should i taper off instead of cold turkey?

Accepted Answer

Stay off alcohol: Alcohol is a poison that never did anybody any good, ever, so stay away from it.
Consult a neurologist for your epilepsy.
Wish you good health!

Question 9

why are epileptic seizures usually harmless, but alcohol withdraw seizures can be fatal? whats the difference? they are both seizures

Accepted Answer

Somewhat complicated: Briefly, alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. It oth benhances inhibitory tone and inhibits excitatory tone. Abrupt cessation results in overactivity of the CNS. Untreated alcohol withdrawal seizures can lead to delerium tremens defined by hallucinations, disorientation, tachycardia, hypertension, hyperthermia, agitation, and diaphoresis which can have fatal complications.

Question 10

at least twice a day i lose control of my hands (usually when im typing) and they just go everywhere for about 10 seconds. my sister has epilepsy.

Accepted Answer

Thoughts: You could have bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, which is caused by typing, or keyboard activities.  Your sister's epilepsy would likely have no relationship to your issues.  Since this can easily be reversed, contact your doctor.

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Doctor answers about:

Can certain types of alcohol effect epilepsy more than others

A member asked:

Can certain types of alcohol effect epilepsy more than others?

A member asked:

Do certain types of alcohol affect epilepsy more?

A member asked:

I'm just wondering, if you have epilepsy and are not taking any medication can you drink alcohol?

A member asked:

Should alcohol induced seizures receive the same long term care as epilepsy?

A member asked:

If you have epilepsy and are not taking any medication can you drink alcohol w/o going into a seizure?

A member asked:

Can you drink if you have epilepsy? what does epilepsy have to do with alcohol consumption? why do the police ask if you have epilepsy when conducting dui checks?

A member asked:

Can i drink alcohol while taking keppra (levetiracetam)? i don't have epilepsy. taking this medicine because i had eclampsia after i gave birth which caused 2 seizure

A member asked:

I have epilepsy. i quit drinking alcohol. i couldn't sleep last night and kept having seizure auras, shakes, panic. i feel if i do not just drink, that i won't sleep and will have a grand mal seizure. should i taper off instead of cold turkey?

A member asked:

Why are epileptic seizures usually harmless, but alcohol withdraw seizures can be fatal? whats the difference? they are both seizures

A member asked:

At least twice a day i lose control of my hands (usually when im typing) and they just go everywhere for about 10 seconds. my sister has epilepsy.

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