“Can Taking Cocaine Cause Seizures?”

Taking cocaine, like many recreational drugs, can have a number of negative health effects. For cocaine, one of the concerns that many people often ask is “can taking cocaine cause seizures?”.

In short, yes, cocaine can cause seizures and can also be associated with heart attacks. In fact, cocaine is one of the leading sources of drug and toxin related seizures. Cocaine has been known to cause seizures in people who have no history of seizures, and can be particularly dangerous for people who have epilepsy and a history of seizure activity. 

Why does this happen? 

Seizures from cocaine use are usually generalised in nature, but can also be focal. It is believed that they may result directly as a response to toxicity within the central nervous system (CNS). 

Toxic exposure can reduce blood flow to the brain and increase or decrease the heart rate, all of which can have an indirect effect on brain perfusion and oxygenation or cause a metabolic disturbance. 

Is it just cocaine that causes seizures? 

Although cocaine is one of the leading recreational drugs that’s known to cause toxin induced seizures, it’s by no means the only one. Many recreational drugs have been associated with seizures in both people with and without epilepsy. This includes:

• Amphetamines
• Ecstasy and MDMA 
• Heroin
• Alcohol 
• Cannabis

It is not advised for anyone to take recreational drugs, including but not limited to the ones above, but for people with epilepsy or a history of seizures, this can be particularly dangerous and have serious consequences. 

What to do if someone has a seizure from cocaine

If someone in your presence has a cocaine induced seizure, it’s important that you know what to do. Follow the steps below to ensure their safety: 

• Clear the immediate area of anything that they could injure themselves on.
• Do not put anything in their mouth or move them.
• Don’t leave them.
• When the seizure has stopped, turn the person onto their side into the recovery position to protect their airway.
• Put something soft, such as a pillow or folded jacket under their head. 
• Make any effort to ensure the person is comfortable and safe from danger during the seizure. 

Most seizures will end within minutes or even seconds, however, if the seizure lasts for 5 minutes, call emergency services and ask for an ambulance to attend. 

Once the person has recovered from a seizure, don’t attempt to move them. Stay with them and talk calmly and comfort them. Seek medical help if you think it’s required. If it’s the person’s first seizure, they should make an appointment to see their GP. 

Click here for more detailed advice on first aid for seizures