CBD showed similar effectiveness to standard epilepsy drugs in severe childhood epilepsies
Three randomized controlled trials found CBD produced 38-41% median seizure reduction in Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes, with a 39-46% responder rate, performing comparably to established anti-epileptic drugs.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
CBD produced a 38-41% median reduction in all seizures compared to 13-19% on placebo in three RCTs for Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes. Responder rates (50% seizure reduction) were 39-46% for CBD versus 14-27% for placebo. CBD was well tolerated, with sedation, diarrhea, and decreased appetite as the most common side effects.
Key Numbers
38-41% median reduction in all seizures (vs 13-19% placebo). 39-46% responder rate at 50% seizure reduction (vs 14-27% placebo). Common adverse effects: sedation, diarrhea, decreased appetite.
How They Did This
Review of three randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trials examining pharmaceutical-grade CBD in Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, with additional context on CBD pharmacology and clinical considerations.
Why This Research Matters
This review confirmed that CBD has crossed the threshold from anecdotal remedy to evidence-based treatment for specific severe childhood epilepsies, with efficacy comparable to drugs that have been used for decades.
The Bigger Picture
CBD became the first cannabis-derived compound to receive FDA approval (as Epidiolex). Its demonstrated efficacy in the most rigorous trial designs available set a precedent for cannabinoid therapeutics and shifted the conversation from "Does it work?" to "For which conditions?"
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
The trials focused on only two epilepsy syndromes (Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut). CBD mechanism of action remains unknown. Sedation from CBD-benzodiazepine interaction complicates interpretation of some side effects.
Questions This Raises
- ?Will CBD prove effective for other epilepsy types?
- ?What is its mechanism of action?
- ?How should benzodiazepine doses be adjusted when adding CBD to reduce sedation?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 38-41% seizure reduction
- Evidence Grade:
- Rated strong because the review synthesizes three randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials, the gold standard of clinical evidence.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2019, shortly after FDA approval of Epidiolex. Additional clinical experience has accumulated since.
- Original Title:
- Efficacy of cannabinoids in paediatric epilepsy.
- Published In:
- Developmental medicine and child neurology, 61(1), 13-18 (2019)
- Authors:
- Ali, Shayma, Scheffer, Ingrid E(2), Sadleir, Lynette G
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01905
Evidence Hierarchy
Summarizes existing research on a topic.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
How effective is CBD for childhood epilepsy?
In three major trials for Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes, CBD reduced seizures by 38-41% compared to 13-19% for placebo. About 39-46% of patients achieved at least a 50% reduction in seizures.
What are the side effects of CBD for epilepsy?
The most common were sedation, diarrhea, and decreased appetite. The review noted that sedation is often worsened by interaction with benzodiazepines and can be managed by dose adjustment.
Does CBD work for all types of epilepsy?
The strong evidence is limited to Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes. Whether CBD is effective for other epilepsy types remains to be determined.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01905APA
Ali, Shayma; Scheffer, Ingrid E; Sadleir, Lynette G. (2019). Efficacy of cannabinoids in paediatric epilepsy.. Developmental medicine and child neurology, 61(1), 13-18. https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.14087
MLA
Ali, Shayma, et al. "Efficacy of cannabinoids in paediatric epilepsy.." Developmental medicine and child neurology, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.14087
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Efficacy of cannabinoids in paediatric epilepsy." RTHC-01905. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/ali-2019-efficacy-of-cannabinoids-in
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.