Cannabinoid Use in Pediatric Epilepsy

Robyn Whitney; Prashant Jauhari; Puneet Jain

doi:10.1007/s13312-025-00015-7

Cannabinoid Use in Pediatric Epilepsy

Indian Pediatr. 2025 Apr;62(4):300-305. doi: 10.1007/s13312-025-00015-7.

Authors

Robyn Whitney¹, Prashant Jauhari², Puneet Jain³

Affiliations

¹ Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
² Child Neurology Division, Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India.
³ Epilepsy Program, Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children (HSC), University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. puneet.jain@sickkids.ca.

PMID: 40244307
DOI: 10.1007/s13312-025-00015-7

Abstract

Cannabidiol has shown promising effects on reducing seizure frequency in children and adults with selected epilepsy syndromes. In this narrative brief review, we provide an update on the use of cannabidiol in pediatric epilepsy including the indications for its use, clinical efficacy, adverse effects, requirements for monitoring and regulations.

Keywords: CBD; Dravet syndrome; Lennox Gastuat syndrome; Tetrahydrocannabiniol; Tuberous sclerosis complex.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Anticonvulsants* / adverse effects
Anticonvulsants* / therapeutic use
Cannabidiol* / adverse effects
Cannabidiol* / therapeutic use
Cannabinoids* / adverse effects
Cannabinoids* / therapeutic use
Child
Epilepsy* / drug therapy
Humans

Substances

Anticonvulsants
Cannabinoids
Cannabidiol