Real-world CBD prescriptions reduced seizures in about half of epilepsy patients over 12 months
In a real-world retrospective study of CBD-prescribed epilepsy patients, about half achieved meaningful seizure reduction at 12 months, with most adverse events being mild and manageable.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
In routine clinical practice, CBD produced clinically meaningful seizure reduction (>30%) in a substantial proportion of patients. Super-responders (>80% reduction) were also identified. Most adverse events were mild.
Key Numbers
Patients prescribed CBD from March 2019 to November 2022. Evaluated at 3, 6, and 12 months. Responders: >30% seizure reduction. Super-responders: >80% reduction. Most adverse events mild.
How They Did This
Retrospective observational study of epilepsy patients prescribed CBD between March 2019 and November 2022 with at least 3 months follow-up. Assessed at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. Responders defined as >30% seizure reduction; super-responders as >80%.
Why This Research Matters
RCT data shows CBD works for specific epilepsy syndromes, but real-world effectiveness across broader epilepsy populations is less documented. This study fills that gap.
The Bigger Picture
Real-world data complements clinical trials by showing how treatments perform in diverse patient populations with varying comorbidities and co-medications. CBD appears to maintain effectiveness outside the controlled trial setting.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Retrospective design with no control group. Cannot attribute improvement to CBD versus natural seizure fluctuation or other treatment changes. Varied epilepsy etiologies and co-medications. Follow-up completeness may vary.
Questions This Raises
- ?Which epilepsy types beyond Dravet, LGS, and TSC respond best to real-world CBD?
- ?Are there predictive markers for super-responders?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Substantial proportion achieved >30% seizure reduction; some >80% (super-responders)
- Evidence Grade:
- Retrospective real-world study. Complements RCT evidence but lacks control group and randomization.
- Study Age:
- Published 2023. Prescriptions from March 2019 to November 2022.
- Original Title:
- Real-world experience with cannabidiol as add-on treatment in drug-resistant epilepsy.
- Published In:
- Seizure, 111, 39-41 (2023)
- Authors:
- Vicino, Walter, Muccioli, Lorenzo, Pondrelli, Federica, Licchetta, Laura, Stipa, Carlotta, Mostacci, Barbara, Vito, Lidia Di, Ferri, Lorenzo, Cancellerini, Chiara, Sold, Martina, Tinuper, Paolo, Bisulli, Francesca
- Database ID:
- RTHC-04999
Evidence Hierarchy
Looks back at existing records to find patterns.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does CBD work for epilepsy in real patients?
This real-world study found a substantial proportion of epilepsy patients prescribed CBD achieved meaningful seizure reductions over 12 months. Some were super-responders with 80% or greater reduction. However, without a control group, some improvement could be due to natural seizure fluctuation.
What side effects did epilepsy patients have from CBD?
Most adverse events were mild and manageable. This is consistent with clinical trial data showing CBD is generally well-tolerated, though interactions with other seizure medications (particularly clobazam) require monitoring.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-04999APA
Vicino, Walter; Muccioli, Lorenzo; Pondrelli, Federica; Licchetta, Laura; Stipa, Carlotta; Mostacci, Barbara; Vito, Lidia Di; Ferri, Lorenzo; Cancellerini, Chiara; Sold, Martina; Tinuper, Paolo; Bisulli, Francesca. (2023). Real-world experience with cannabidiol as add-on treatment in drug-resistant epilepsy.. Seizure, 111, 39-41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seizure.2023.07.009
MLA
Vicino, Walter, et al. "Real-world experience with cannabidiol as add-on treatment in drug-resistant epilepsy.." Seizure, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seizure.2023.07.009
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Real-world experience with cannabidiol as add-on treatment i..." RTHC-04999. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/vicino-2023-realworld-experience-with-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.