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Navigating daily life with epilepsy or other seizure disorders often means balancing seizure control with everyday activities. Levetiracetam (Keppra) is a commonly used anti-seizure medication. If you take it, you may wonder: Can you drink alcohol with Keppra?
“Has anyone ever drank beer or a cocktail while taking Keppra?” one MyEpilepsyTeam member asked. Another replied, “I’m turning 21 soon and want to be prepared when drinking/trying alcoholic beverages.”
Here’s what to know about levetiracetam and alcohol, including how drinking may affect seizures and medication side effects and how to lower your risks.
Levetiracetam belongs to a class of drugs known as anti-seizure medications, formerly called anticonvulsants. This medication helps control abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
Seizures can happen when there’s a sudden burst of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Levetiracetam helps prevent certain types of seizures and may be used alone or with other seizure medications.
Levetiracetam dosing depends on a person’s age, weight, kidney function, and type of seizures. For many adults taking immediate-release Keppra, the starting dose is 500 milligrams twice a day.
Children may receive doses based on their weight. People with kidney problems might need a different dose.
The drug can be taken with or without food. As with all medications, levetiracetam must be taken exactly as prescribed.
Don’t suddenly stop taking levetiracetam unless your doctor tells you to. Stopping an anti-seizure medication suddenly can increase the risk of seizures.
Levetiracetam can cause some common side effects. These include:
Levetiracetam may also cause mood or other behavior changes, including aggression and anxiety.
More serious side effects are possible. Current prescribing information warns about:
These side effects can occur while taking levetiracetam even without drinking alcohol. Note: If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988 or using the online chat.
What Are the Risks of Mixing Levetiracetam and Alcohol? When it comes to seizures, knowing how alcohol interacts with medications is important. Alcohol is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, which means it affects the brain and can slow down some brain activity.
There’s no specific levetiracetam-alcohol interaction listed in current U.S. prescribing information, but mixing the two may still have risks.
Alcohol’s effects on the CNS can worsen some side effects of levetiracetam, particularly drowsiness. Drinking alcohol while taking this drug may also make dizziness and coordination problems worse, raising the risk of falls or accidents.
Alcohol itself can also trigger seizures in some people with epilepsy. This risk may be higher after heavy drinking or during alcohol withdrawal.
Drinking can interfere with sleep or make it easier to forget seizure medication. Both lack of sleep and missed medication can trigger seizures in some people.
The effects of alcohol on people taking levetiracetam vary. Common concerns include:
Some people with epilepsy may be more sensitive to alcohol than others. How much and how quickly you drink, your seizure history, and other medications you take can all affect your risk.
It’s important to have an open dialogue with your neurologist or pharmacist about drinking and epilepsy treatment. They can provide personalized advice based on your health, seizure history, medications, and alcohol use. Below are some questions you can ask.
Ask what, if any, amount of alcohol may be safe for you.
No single amount is safe for everyone taking levetiracetam or living with epilepsy. Your risk can depend on several factors, including your seizure type, seizure control, other medications, and how alcohol has affected you before.
The Epilepsy Foundation notes that one or two alcoholic drinks at a time usually don’t cause meaningful changes in seizure control for many adults with epilepsy. However, three or more drinks may increase the risk of seizures in some people.
The Epilepsy Society also notes that alcohol can disrupt sleep. Poor sleep can lead to tiredness, which can trigger seizures in some people.
These recommendations are general and may not apply to your situation. Your healthcare provider can offer guidance based on your health and seizure history.
Ask if alcohol could affect your specific treatment plan.
Alcohol isn’t listed as a specific interaction in current U.S. prescribing information for levetiracetam, but it may add to side effects. Heavy alcohol use or withdrawal may also make seizures more likely.
Levetiracetam isn’t the only medication that can be affected by alcohol. Have an honest conversation with your doctor or pharmacist about your alcohol consumption and all the medications you take, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements.
Don’t skip or change your levetiracetam dose because you plan to drink. Missing doses can increase the chance of having a seizure.
Discuss any lifestyle changes that could support your treatment and overall well-being. Ask if there are other substances, such as caffeine, or medications you should avoid when taking levetiracetam.
Getting enough sleep, taking your medication on time, and knowing your seizure triggers can also help with epilepsy management. Tracking possible triggers may help you notice patterns over time.
So, can you drink alcohol with Keppra? There isn’t one answer for everyone. Talk with your healthcare provider about whether drinking alcohol is safe for you based on your seizure history, medications, and overall health.
If you have alcohol dependence or an alcohol use disorder, it’s especially important to work with your healthcare team. If you drink heavily or regularly, don’t suddenly stop drinking without medical advice. Alcohol withdrawal can cause seizures and, in severe cases, can be life-threatening.
A healthcare professional can help you reduce or stop alcohol safely. Some people may need medical monitoring and medication during withdrawal.
Whether or not you drink alcohol, keep taking levetiracetam as prescribed. Don’t change your dose or stop taking it without talking with your healthcare provider.
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I'm on keppra 1500mg twice daily and just started on Epilim 200mg once a day and I didn't drink alcohol much anyway but as soon as I was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2015 I stopped completely, I'd… read more
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