CBD reduced seizures by 60% in children with severe epilepsy syndromes in the UK
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.
Quick Facts
What This Study 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%.
Key Numbers
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 They Did This
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.
Why This Research 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 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.
What This Study Doesn't 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.
Questions This Raises
- ?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?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 60% median seizure reduction at 12 months; 40% achieved 75%+ reduction
- Evidence Grade:
- 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.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2025.
- Original Title:
- The use of cannabidiol in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome in the UK Early Access Program: A retrospective chart review study.
- Published In:
- Epilepsy & behavior reports, 29, 100731 (2025)
- Authors:
- Eltze, Christin, Alshehhi, Shaikha, Ghfeli, Aisha Al, Vyas, Kishan, Saravanai-Prabu, Seeta, Gusto, Gaelle, Khachatryan, Artak, Martinez, Marta, Desurkar, Archana
- Database ID:
- RTHC-06402
Evidence Hierarchy
Looks back at existing records to find patterns.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked 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.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-06402APA
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
MLA
Eltze, Christin, et al. "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, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebr.2024.100731
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "The use of cannabidiol in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndr..." RTHC-06402. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/eltze-2025-the-use-of-cannabidiol
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.