CBD reduced seizures in children with severe epilepsy beyond just Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes
Among 78 children and young adults with refractory epilepsy, 31% achieved 50% or greater seizure reduction at 3 months, with Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut patients responding best (70%) and clobazam co-medication improving outcomes.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
At 3 months, 31.4% of patients achieved 50% or greater seizure reduction and 68.6% showed some improvement. Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut patients had much higher response rates (70% achieving 50% reduction) compared to other epilepsies (22%). Clobazam co-medication increased seizure reduction. Response rates declined over time: 20% maintained 50% reduction at 24 months.
Key Numbers
Patients: 78. With seizure registration: 51. 50% reduction at 3 months: 31.4%. At 6 months: 31.1%. At 12 months: 28.1%. At 24 months: 20.0%. Dravet/LGS at 3 months: 70%. Other epilepsies: 22%. Any reduction at 3 months: 68.6%.
How They Did This
Retrospective cohort study of 78 patients treated with off-label cannabidiol at the Filadelfia Epilepsy Hospital, Denmark from 2016-2019. Assessed seizure frequency registration or perceived effect over up to 24 months.
Why This Research Matters
While CBD is approved for Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes, this study shows it may also benefit children with other severe epilepsies, though the waning response over time needs monitoring.
The Bigger Picture
The declining response over time (from 31% to 20% achieving 50% reduction) suggests tolerance may develop, reinforcing the need for ongoing evaluation and willingness to discontinue if benefits fade.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Retrospective, uncontrolled design. Off-label use with varying doses. Only 51 of 78 patients had seizure frequency registration. No placebo comparison.
Questions This Raises
- ?Is the declining response over time due to tolerance or natural disease progression?
- ?Would higher CBD doses maintain efficacy?
- ?What factors predict which non-Dravet/LGS patients respond?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 70% of Dravet/LGS patients achieved 50%+ seizure reduction at 3 months
- Evidence Grade:
- Real-world clinical data with up to 24 months follow-up, but uncontrolled retrospective design.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2021 with data from 2016-2019.
- Original Title:
- Cannabidiol treatment of severe refractory epilepsy in children and young adults.
- Published In:
- Danish medical journal, 68(5) (2021)
- Authors:
- Zilmer, Monica, Olofsson, Kern
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03644
Evidence Hierarchy
Looks back at existing records to find patterns.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does CBD work for epilepsies other than Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut?
In this study, 22% of patients with other severe epilepsies achieved 50% or greater seizure reduction at 3 months, lower than Dravet/LGS (70%) but still meaningful.
Does CBD effectiveness last over time?
Response rates declined from 31% at 3 months to 20% at 24 months, suggesting some tolerance development and the importance of ongoing monitoring.
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-03644APA
Zilmer, Monica; Olofsson, Kern. (2021). Cannabidiol treatment of severe refractory epilepsy in children and young adults.. Danish medical journal, 68(5).
MLA
Zilmer, Monica, et al. "Cannabidiol treatment of severe refractory epilepsy in children and young adults.." Danish medical journal, 2021.
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabidiol treatment of severe refractory epilepsy in child..." RTHC-03644. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/zilmer-2021-cannabidiol-treatment-of-severe
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.