Drug use can lead to seizures, a serious health concern that can impact individuals regardless of whether they have a pre-existing seizure disorder. This highlights a significant risk associated with various substances, from illicit drugs to prescription medications. Understanding how and why these seizures occur is important for recognizing the dangers.
How Drugs Trigger Seizures
Seizures result from abnormal, uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain. Drugs can disrupt the brain’s normal electrical balance, leading to these sudden surges. This disruption often involves neurotransmitters, chemical messengers in the brain.
Many substances interfere with gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a primary inhibitory neurotransmitter that helps calm brain activity. A decrease in GABA’s inhibitory effects can lead to overexcitation of brain cells, increasing the likelihood of a seizure. Similarly, drugs can enhance the effects of excitatory neurotransmitters like glutamate, tipping the balance towards overactivity. Some drugs might also directly damage brain cells, causing neurotoxicity that contributes to seizure activity.
Substances Linked to Seizures
A wide range of substances can cause seizures, either during intoxication or withdrawal. Stimulants, such as cocaine and amphetamines, are known for their seizure-inducing potential. Cocaine can cause seizures and can be especially dangerous due to associated heart problems. Methamphetamine and MDMA (Ecstasy) also fall into this category, with high doses potentially leading to severe seizures.
Depressants, while often used to treat seizures, can paradoxically cause them during withdrawal. Alcohol withdrawal seizures are common, often occurring after an individual stops drinking. Benzodiazepine withdrawal can also precipitate seizures, especially after prolonged or high-dose use, as the brain struggles to readjust without the drug’s inhibitory effects.
Opioids, including heroin and certain prescription pain relievers like oxycodone, can also cause seizures. While some opioids might not directly cause seizures at typical doses, high amounts or withdrawal can lead to seizures, sometimes due to lack of oxygen or interactions with other brain chemicals. Certain hallucinogens, particularly newer synthetic types like synthetic cannabinoids (e.g., Spice) and some designer amphetamines, have been associated with seizures, whereas traditional hallucinogens like LSD or psilocybin are less commonly linked.
Risk Factors for Drug-Induced Seizures
Several factors can increase an individual’s susceptibility to drug-induced seizures. The dosage of the drug plays a significant role, with higher doses increasing the risk. The purity of illicit substances can vary, making effects unpredictable and increasing seizure risk. Combining different substances (poly-drug use) greatly elevates the risk of seizures due to complex and unpredictable interactions.
Pre-existing medical conditions, such as a history of epilepsy, head injuries, or other neurological disorders, make individuals more vulnerable to drug-induced seizures. Age can also be a factor, with very young and older individuals more susceptible. Metabolic differences can affect how drugs are processed, influencing drug concentrations and seizure potential.
What to Do During a Drug-Induced Seizure
If someone experiences a drug-induced seizure, take immediate action to ensure their safety. Guide them gently to the floor if possible, and move any nearby objects that could cause injury. Turn the person onto their side to help keep their airway clear and prevent choking, especially if they vomit.
Time the seizure. Call for emergency medical help if the seizure lasts longer than five minutes, if another seizure quickly follows, if the person has difficulty breathing or appears to be choking, or if it is their first known seizure. Do not attempt to restrain the person or place anything in their mouth. Once the seizure subsides, remain with the person until medical help arrives and they have recovered consciousness. Honesty with medical professionals about substances used is important for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.