Can I drink alcohol?

Having epilepsy and taking anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t drink alcohol, but there are some facts to bear in mind.

• AEDs can make you more sensitive to the effects of alcohol, so you might get drunk more quickly than if you don’t take AEDs. (This doesn’t mean you should stop taking your AEDs when you want to have a drink – this would put you at greater risk of seizures).
• Alcohol can exaggerate some side-effects of AEDs. If your AEDs make you feel sleepy, dizzy or light-headed for example, alcohol might make this worse.
• Drinking a lot can cause you to have ‘withdrawal seizures’. These could begin within seven to 72 hours of stopping drinking.
• It’s important not to miss taking your AEDs. There’s more chance you’ll have a seizure from missing your AEDs than by having the odd drink.
• More information about epilepsy and alcohol.

More in this section:

• Introduction
• What is epilepsy?  
• Living with epilepsy
  • Is there anything that will make my seizures more likely to happen?
  • Can I drink alcohol?
  • Can I smoke tobacco?
  • Will illegal drugs affect my epilepsy?
  • Will I have to give up my job?
• Treatment
• Visiting your doctor
• Sex and sexuality
• Becoming a father
• SUDEP
• Support