Retrospective Multicenter Chart Review Study of Adjunctive Cannabidiol for Seizures Associated with Lennox–Gastaut Syndrome, Dravet Syndrome and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Effectiveness and tolerability of plant-derived highly purified cannabidiol (CBD) in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), Dravet syndrome (DS), or tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)-associated epilepsy in clinical practice in Germany were evaluated. METHODS: 100 mg/mL oral solution). Treatment characteristics, seizure outcomes, physician-rated Clinical Global Impression of Change (CGI-C), treatment retention rates, and adverse events (AEs) were analyzed ≤ 12 months. RESULTS: Among 202 patients identified (159 LGS; 34 DS; 9 TSC), median (interquartile range; range) age was 18.0 (7.9-32.0; 0.3-72.0) years, and median (range) number of prior and concomitant antiseizure medications was 6 (1-24) and 3 (1-7), respectively. Median target CBD dose was 11.1 mg/kg/day (17.6, 15.2, and 9.9 mg/kg/day in the < 6, 6-17, and ≥ 18 years subgroups, respectively). Responder rates (≥ 50% seizure reduction) for total seizures at 3 (n = 194) and 12 (n = 168) months were 43.3% (37.0-50.0% across ages) and 44.0% (37.0-52.5% across ages), respectively, and for generalized tonic-clonic seizures 54.3% (n = 94) (50.0-66.7% across ages) and 47.7% (n = 88) (37.8-66.7% across ages), respectively. Median (range) number of seizure days per month significantly decreased from 30 (0.3-30) to 18 (0-30) in the 3 months before the last 3 months of CBD treatment (p < 0.001). Any improvement in CGI-C was observed in 62% of patients. Of those with available data at 3 and 12 months, 89.6% and 67.1% remained on CBD, respectively. Retention was similar across age groups. AEs reported in ≥ 5% of patients were sedation and diarrhea. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with LGS, DS, or TSC-associated epilepsy, adjunctive CBD was associated with a reduction in seizure frequency across age groups. CBD demonstrated tolerability consistent with its known profile, and 67% of patients remained on treatment at 12 months.
Source: Neurology and Therapy
Institutions: Goethe University Frankfurt, University of Freiburg, University Hospital Bonn, University Medical Center Freiburg, Epilepsiezentrum Kleinwachau Gemeinnützige, Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, Universität Greifswald, Philipps University of Marburg, St. Bonifatius Hospital, University Hospital Frankfurt
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $7,400
Funder: Jazz Pharmaceuticals
OpenAlex ID: W4412363031
