Dr. Orrin Devinsky of NYU Langone Medical Center gave a wonderful lecture at CannMed 2017 about using Cannabidiol as a possible seizure treatment. His studies were funded by Epidiolex (99% pure oil based CBD extract) and focused primarily on both Dravet Syndrome and Lennox Gaustaut Syndrome. Because most of these patients were having an average of 60 seizures per month, they were able to use US Expanded Access to study this drug. Adverse reactions included somnolence, decreased appetite, diarrhea, fatigue in 10-20% of the patients. 36.5% median reduction of seizures over a 12 week treatment period (49.8% in DS patients). 39% with > 50% reduction, 21% with >70% reduction and 9% with >90% reduction.
In general there is a linear increase in reduction of seizures with an increase in CBD. The dose administered was 20mg/kg/day of CBD. This is the Phase III study for DS published in December 2016. 120 pediatric patients in this study – again with severe DS and LGS. He stated that he seems to have the most success with a 10mg/kg/day, sometimes using as little as 2-5mg.
Another study included in his lecture was for FIRES (Febrile Infection Related Epilepsy Syndrome) : here.
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Studies related to DRUG-DRUG interactions and do they play a role???
- Clobazam and Cannabidiol
- Cytochrome P450 2C19
- Inhibition of human cytochrome p450 3A isoforms by cannabidiol
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Summary of studies:
provided by Fabricio Pamplona, Ph.D
Exploring Medical Cannabis 