Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders in the world, affecting over more than three million Americans. It is a central nervous system disorder that affects the brain by causing frequent seizures, periods of unusual behavior, or loss of awareness.
Currently, there's no cure for this disease, but it’s possible to manage some of its symptoms. A common epilepsy treatment option is Epidiolex for seizures. Epidiolex is a cannabidiol (CBD) oral solution derived from the cannabis plant.Other options include prescription anti-epileptic drugs, special ketogenic diets, and other more invasive procedures.
Epilepsy could potentially be caused by any condition or injury that disturbs the brain, such as head trauma, stroke, dementia, unusually high fever, or infectious conditions like HIV.
Although anyone can develop epilepsy, it most commonly manifests in adults over 60 years old and young children. The most common treatment option, Epidiolex for seizures, is FDA approved for use in patients two years of age and older.
There are two main types of seizures in epilepsy:
Targeted strategies and epilepsy treatment options, such as Epidiolex, can help mitigate the symptoms of seizures and contribute to improved quality of life.
Conventional treatment options for recurrent seizures include anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) that can sometimes cause side effects. Moreover, approximately one-third of patients with epileptic seizures are resistant to AEDs.
Studies have shown that medical cannabis could be a viable alternative to help people significantly reduce the frequency of their seizures. CBD treatments such as Epidiolex are prescribed to help people manage the symptoms of this incurable disease.
Epidiolex is the first cannabis plant based formulation to be approved by the FDA as a treatment. This medicine contains CBD, the primary non psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis.
Epidiolex was approved in June 2018 for the treatment of seizures caused by the Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndromes, both severe forms of epilepsy. This formulation contains plant-extracted and purified CBD.
While the FDA approved only the formulation as a treatment for seizures, the approval suggests that medical marijuana contains active ingredients that may help in managing drug resistant seizures and other conditions
1. Is Medical Marijuana a Good Treatment for Epilepsy?
Studies have shown that CBD, a nonpsychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis, may reduce seizure frequency in people with epilepsy. This has been confirmed in clinical trials that led the FDA to approve Epidiolex for specific forms of epilepsy.
In one of the trials, the researchers found that the medicine, which contains up to 99% CBD, lowered seizure frequency by up to 54% after 12 weeks. Terpenes and other cannabinoids including CBDV, THC and CBN have also displayed potential anticonvulsant benefits in various seizure and epilepsy models.
2. Is Epidiolex Prescribed for Epilepsy and Seizures?
Yes, Epidiolex is a prescription medicine for the treatment of seizures in two forms of epilepsy. This medicine was approved by the FDA and is now available with a doctor's prescription.
If you have epilepsy and are considering medical marijuana, Contact us at Texas 420 Doctors and we’ll supply you with all you need to access medical cannabis at your dispensary.
3. What are the Side Effects of Medical Cannabis for Epilepsy?
One of the main reasons many consumers are seeking medical cannabis is the lack of or mild adverse effects compared to conventional medicines. For regular medical cannabis, effects range from sleepiness, cottonmouth, red eyes and fatigue.
Epidiolex’s most common side effects include sleepiness, fatigue, fever, diarrhea, increase in liver enzymes, and decreased appetite. Consumers are also encouraged to consult their healthcare providers on medical cannabis interactions with other drugs.
4. Can Medical Cannabis Help if Other Medications Have Failed to Treat Seizures?
While your healthcare provider will help you decide if medical marijuana for epilepsy is right for you, keep in mind that Epidiolex was approved to treat hard to treat seizures caused by epilepsy syndromes that have not responded to conventional treatments.
If you have tried all other treatment options, medical cannabis and medicines such as Epidiolex may be viable options for you. Book an appointment with our board-certified and CURT-registered physicians today and get evaluated for medical cannabis in minutes.
5. Can I Get Medical Cannabis for Epilepsy Treatment in Texas?
Yes. Under the Texas Compassionate Act, individuals with epilepsy or a seizure disorder qualify for the medical cannabis program. The program allows for the prescription of low THC cannabis to manage the symptoms of hard-to-treat epilepsy and seizures.
Want to know if you qualify for medical cannabis in Texas? Book an appointment with one of our certified and CURT-registered physicians and get approved in minutes if you qualify.
Is epilepsy affecting the quality of your life? You should consider exploring the merits of a medical cannabis routine. Contact us at Texas 420 Doctors for a telemedicine appointment to discuss your condition.
Each of our physicians is board-certified and CURT-registered. After your evaluation, we'll supply you with everything you need to conveniently access medical cannabis at your dispensary, including your approval letter and dispensary recommendations.
Feel free to contact us with more questions about our services or the merits of medical cannabis for epilepsy.
