43% of German Epilepsy Patients Achieved 50%+ Seizure Reduction with CBD in Real-World Practice
In a German multicenter chart review of 202 patients with LGS, DS, or TSC, adjunctive CBD achieved 50%+ seizure reduction in 43% at 3 months and 44% at 12 months, with 67% remaining on treatment at 1 year.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Responder rates (>=50% seizure reduction) for total seizures: 43.3% at 3 months, 44.0% at 12 months. For generalized tonic-clonic seizures: 54.3% at 3 months, 47.7% at 12 months. Median seizure days decreased from 30 to 18 per month (p<0.001). CGI-C improvement in 62%. Treatment retention: 89.6% at 3 months, 67.1% at 12 months. Common AEs: sedation and diarrhea.
Key Numbers
202 patients (159 LGS, 34 DS, 9 TSC). Median age: 18 years. Median prior ASMs: 6. Target dose: 11.1 mg/kg/day. 50%+ response: 43% (3 mo), 44% (12 mo). GTCS 50%+ response: 54% (3 mo), 48% (12 mo). Seizure days: 30 to 18/month (p<0.001). 67% still on CBD at 12 months.
How They Did This
Multicenter retrospective chart review of 202 German patients with LGS (159), DS (34), or TSC (9) receiving adjunctive CBD (Epidyolex). Assessed treatment characteristics, seizure outcomes, CGI-C, retention rates, and AEs up to 12 months.
Why This Research Matters
Real-world evidence complements clinical trial data by showing how CBD performs in typical clinical practice with broader patient populations and less controlled conditions. These German results confirm trial findings translate to practice.
The Bigger Picture
The consistency of response rates between 3 and 12 months suggests sustained benefit rather than a honeymoon effect. The 67% retention rate at 1 year is encouraging for a heavily treatment-resistant population.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Retrospective chart review with inherent limitations. No control group. Selection bias possible. Variable follow-up completeness. German healthcare system specifics may affect generalizability.
Questions This Raises
- ?Do response rates remain stable beyond 12 months?
- ?Which patient subgroups benefit most from adjunctive CBD?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Evidence Grade:
- Multicenter real-world data confirming clinical trial findings in a treatment-resistant population supports strong evidence.
- Study Age:
- German real-world clinical data up to 12 months.
- Original Title:
- Retrospective Multicenter Chart Review Study of Adjunctive Cannabidiol for Seizures Associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, Dravet Syndrome and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex.
- Published In:
- Neurology and therapy, 14(5), 1935-1959 (2025)
- Authors:
- Strzelczyk, Adam(4), Klotz, Kerstin Alexandra(3), Mayer, Thomas(3), von Podewils, Felix, Knake, Susanne, Kurlemann, Gerhard, Herold, Luise, Immisch, Ilka, Buhleier, Elisa, Rosenow, Felix, Schubert-Bast, Susanne
- Database ID:
- RTHC-07737
Evidence Hierarchy
Watches what happens naturally without intervening.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
How well does CBD work for severe epilepsy in real clinical practice?
43% of patients achieved at least 50% seizure reduction, and seizure days dropped from 30 to 18 per month on average. These real-world results are consistent with clinical trial findings.
Do patients stay on CBD long-term?
67% of patients remained on CBD treatment at 12 months, suggesting sustained tolerability and perceived benefit in a heavily treatment-resistant population.
Read More on RethinkTHC
- CBD-oil-quality-guide
- anxiety-medication-after-quitting-weed
- cannabis-chemotherapy-nausea
- cannabis-chronic-pain-research
- cannabis-epilepsy-CBD-Epidiolex
- cbd-anxiety-research-evidence
- cbd-for-weed-withdrawal
- cbd-vs-thc-difference
- medical-benefits-of-cannabis
- quitting-weed-before-surgery
- quitting-weed-medication-interactions
- quitting-weed-pregnancy
- quitting-weed-pregnant
- seniors-older-adults-cannabis-risks-medications
- weed-breastfeeding-THC-breast-milk
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-07737APA
Strzelczyk, Adam; Klotz, Kerstin Alexandra; Mayer, Thomas; von Podewils, Felix; Knake, Susanne; Kurlemann, Gerhard; Herold, Luise; Immisch, Ilka; Buhleier, Elisa; Rosenow, Felix; Schubert-Bast, Susanne. (2025). Retrospective Multicenter Chart Review Study of Adjunctive Cannabidiol for Seizures Associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, Dravet Syndrome and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex.. Neurology and therapy, 14(5), 1935-1959. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40120-025-00788-w
MLA
Strzelczyk, Adam, et al. "Retrospective Multicenter Chart Review Study of Adjunctive Cannabidiol for Seizures Associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, Dravet Syndrome and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex.." Neurology and therapy, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40120-025-00788-w
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Retrospective Multicenter Chart Review Study of Adjunctive C..." RTHC-07737. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/strzelczyk-2025-retrospective-multicenter-chart-review
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.