Introduction
Epilepsy, a chronic brain disorder, affects around 70 million people worldwide. While many achieve seizure control through various treatments, a significant portion of individuals suffer from treatment-resistant epilepsy (TRE). This study explores the potential of cannabidiol (CBD) oil as an adjunct therapy for TRE.
The Potential of CBD
Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound derived from cannabis, has shown promising antiseizure properties. Unlike THC, CBD does not produce a high and has been demonstrated to be effective in various epilepsy syndromes through clinical trials.
Study Overview
This retrospective study evaluated the effectiveness of a standardized 24% CBD-based oil as an add-on therapy in patients with refractory epilepsy of different etiologies. The goal was to assess seizure frequency reduction and tolerability of the treatment.
Methods
Patients with refractory epilepsy, who had not achieved seizure control with at least two antiepileptic drugs, were included. They were administered CBD oil sublingually, starting at a dose of 5-10 mg/kg/day and titrated up to 50 mg/kg/day based on clinical response.
Results
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Participants: 37 patients (20 males, 17 females) with a median age of 16.1 years.
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Epilepsy Types: 60% had epileptic encephalopathy, 24% had focal epilepsy, and 16% had generalized epilepsy.
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Follow-up: Median duration was 68 weeks.
Efficacy
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Seizure Reduction:
- 19% of patients became seizure-free.
- 73% experienced more than a 50% reduction in seizure frequency.
- 5% had less than a 50% improvement.
- One patient discontinued due to lack of efficacy.
Tolerability
- Adverse Events: Mild and temporary side effects, such as somnolence and loss of appetite, were reported in 25% of patients.
- Drug Interactions: No significant changes in blood or liver enzyme levels were observed.
Discussion
The study supports the effectiveness of CBD oil in managing TRE. Most patients experienced significant seizure reduction, with minimal side effects. These findings align with other research, emphasizing CBD’s role as a viable adjunctive therapy in epilepsy management.
Conclusion
CBD oil, administered sublingually, shows promise in reducing seizures in patients with TRE. Its favorable safety profile and significant efficacy highlight its potential as a supplementary treatment for refractory epilepsy.
