Cannabidiol as an adjuvant treatment in adults with drug-resistant focal epilepsy

Epilepsy Behav. 2023 Jul:144:109210. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109210. Epub 2023 May 15.

Abstract

Cannabidiol oil (CBD) has been approved as an anti-seizure medication for the treatment of uncommon types of epilepsy, occurring in children: Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex. There are few publications in relation to use the CBD in adult patients with focal drug-resistant epilepsy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy, tolerability, safety, and quality of life, of adjuvant treatment with CBD, in adult patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy for at least 6 months. An open, observational, prospective cohort study was conducted using a before-after design (time series) in adult patients undergoing outpatient follow-up in a public hospital in Buenos Aires, Argentina. From a total of 44 patients, 5% of patients were seizure-free, 32% of patients reduced more than 80% of their seizures and 87% of patients reduced 50% of their monthly seizures. Eleven percent presented a decrease of less than 50% in seizure frequency. The average final dose was 335 mg/d orally administered. Thirty-four percent of patients reported mild adverse events and no patient reported severe adverse effects. At the end of the study, we found in most patients a significant improvement in the quality of life, in all the items evaluated. Adjuvant treatment with CBD in adult patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy was effective, safe, well tolerated, and associated with a significant improvement in their quality of life.

Keywords: Adults; Cannabidiol; Drug-resistant epilepsy; Focal epilepsy.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anticonvulsants / adverse effects
  • Cannabidiol*
  • Child
  • Drug Resistant Epilepsy* / chemically induced
  • Drug Resistant Epilepsy* / drug therapy
  • Epilepsies, Myoclonic* / drug therapy
  • Epilepsies, Partial* / chemically induced
  • Epilepsies, Partial* / drug therapy
  • Epilepsy* / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Lennox Gastaut Syndrome* / drug therapy
  • Prospective Studies
  • Quality of Life

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Cannabidiol