Recent studies have shown promising results that cannabidiol (CBD) helps relieve different forms of epileptic seizures like those from Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.
Lennox–Gastaut syndrome (LGS) is particularly severe, childhood form of epilepsy. Dravet syndrome is a lifelong seizure disorder.
Any form of relief that seems promising, especially one that is affordable, would make any family eager to try it. Sometimes, patients and support persons hope and pray for just a few hours without these horrible seizures.
As exciting as of a prospect that CBD seems, recent research suggests that CBD can have more than just an augmentation effect on antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). It might negatively interact with some AEDs. This obviously creates a potential complication for families and patients searching for treatment of their form of epilepsy.
What the research says: The study observed children and adults who were on AEDs and also Epidiolex, i.e. CBD. Results showed that in patients taking the AED concomitant valproate, liver function changed.
What the research means: It highlights the importance of physician-monitored AED levels and liver function levels for patients undergoing both that particular AED treatment and CBD treatment for epileptic seizures.
This research also means that more research needs to be done to truly understand how CBD helps or hurts the treatment plan for patients trying to manage their rare disease.
To learn more about this research in Medscape, click here. To read the study in Epilepsia here.
