,

Real-World evidence on the use of cannabidiol for the treatment of drug resistant epilepsy not related to Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome or Tuberous Sclerosis Complex

Authors

Camilo Espinosa-Jovel, Sandra Riveros, Carlos Bolaños-Almeida, Mateo Ramírez Salazar, Leidy Ceballos Inga, Laura Guío


Published

September 15, 2023

Abstract


Introduction

Highly purified cannabidiol (CBD) has a broad spectrum of action and could be useful for the treatment of drug resistant epilepsy regardless of etiology or syndrome.

Materials and Methods

Multicenter retrospective study that evaluated the efficacy and safety of CBD for the treatment of drug resistant epilepsy of different etiologies in patients >2 years of age.

Results

Seventy-eight patients with a median age of 24 years and a wide spectrum of mainly structural and genetic etiologies were included. Patients were using a median of 3 antiseizure drugs (IQR=2-4) and had a median of 30 monthly seizures (IQR=12-100) before starting CBD. The median treatment time with CBD was 14 months (IQR=10-17). The efficacy analysis at the last available visit showed that mean percent reduction in seizures, ≥50% reduction in seizure frequency and seizure freedom was 67.8%, 68.8% and 11.5% respectively. We found no significant impact of concomitant clobazam use on the efficacy and safety of CBD. In the safety analysis, 28.2% (n= 22) of patients presented adverse events related to CBD and drug-retention rate was 78.2%.

Conclusions

In a real-world setting, highly purified CBD has been shown to be safe and effective for the treatment of drug resistant epilepsy not related to Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome or Tuberous Sclerosis Complex. Based on these findings, highly purified CBD should be considered as an adjuvant therapy for drug resistant epilepsy, regardless of its underlying cause or specific syndrome. Nevertheless, this assumption should be validated through further controlled trials.


DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2023.09.015

Citations

Espinosa-Jovel, C., Riveros, S., Bolaños-Almeida, C., Salazar, M. R., Inga, L. C., & Guío, L. Real-World evidence on the use of cannabidiol for the treatment of drug resistant epilepsy not related to Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome or Tuberous Sclerosis Complex. Seizure-European Journal of Epilepsy.