CBD reduced seizures by 60% in children with severe epilepsy syndromes in the UK | Research

The takeaway

Children with Lennox-Gastaut or Dravet syndrome treated with pharmaceutical-grade CBD in a UK early access program showed a median 60% reduction in motor seizures at 12 months.

Pediatric neurologists, families managing treatment-resistant epilepsy, and researchers tracking real-world outcomes of CBD therapy.

60% median seizure reduction at 12 months; 40% achieved 75%+ reduction

What the researchers found

At 12 months, median motor seizure reduction was 60%, with 67% of patients achieving at least 50% reduction and 40% achieving at least 75% reduction. The 12-month retention rate was 74%.

Why it matters

Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndromes are among the most treatment-resistant epilepsies in children. Real-world data from early access programs complements clinical trial evidence by showing how treatments perform in routine practice.

The numbers in context

26 patients enrolled (mean age 11.8 years). Median CBD dose at 12 months: 7.3 mg/kg/day. Seizure reduction: 56.7% at 6 months, 60% at 12 months. 50% responder rate: 65% at 6M, 67% at 12M. GI side effects most common.

How the study worked

Retrospective chart review of 26 patients aged 2-17 with LGS (n=17) or Dravet syndrome (n=9) treated with plant-derived CBD (Epidyolex) in the UK Early Access Program, tracked for up to 12 months.

What this study cannot tell us

Small sample (26 patients) with no control group. Retrospective design with 27% lost to follow-up at 12 months. Missing data for some timepoints limits completeness.

How to read the evidence

Retrospective chart review without controls provides real-world efficacy data, supported by prior RCT evidence for this indication. Small sample and loss to follow-up limit conclusions.

When this study was published

Published in 2025.

The bigger picture

CBD was approved for these conditions based on controlled trials, but real-world data on how well it works outside of carefully controlled study settings is still accumulating.

Questions still open

What predicts which patients will be the 40% who achieve 75%+ seizure reduction? How do these real-world results compare to the pivotal clinical trials?

Common questions

Does CBD work for children with severe epilepsy?

In this UK program, 67% of children with Lennox-Gastaut or Dravet syndrome saw at least 50% fewer seizures after 12 months of CBD treatment, and 40% saw 75% or greater reduction.

What were the side effects of CBD in these children?

Gastrointestinal issues were the most common adverse events. 53% of patients reported at least one side effect of interest at 12 months, down from 70% at 6 months.

Read the original research

The use of cannabidiol in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome in the UK Early Access Program: A retrospective chart review study.

Epilepsy & behavior reports, 29, 100731

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Eltze, Christin; Alshehhi, Shaikha; Ghfeli, Aisha Al; Vyas, Kishan; Saravanai-Prabu, Seeta; Gusto, Gaelle; Khachatryan, Artak; Martinez, Marta; Desurkar, Archana. (2025). The use of cannabidiol in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome in the UK Early Access Program: A retrospective chart review study.. Epilepsy & behavior reports, 29, 100731. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebr.2024.100731