Cannabinoids for drug-resistant seizures in a critically ill patient-Case report and literature review.

2019 Nov 26. doi: 10.1111/jcpt.13082.

[Epub ahead of print]

Capra S¹, Narayan SW², Parratt K³, Patanwala AE^1,².

Author information

Abstract

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE:

Drug-resistant seizures are life-threatening and contribute to sustained hospitalization. We present the case of a critically ill 28-year-old male with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome who had approximately 30 seizures/day in the intensive care unit.

CASE DESCRIPTION:

Patient required mechanical ventilation and pharmacologically induced thiopentone coma. He was commenced on cannabidiol and subsequently extubated. He remained seizure-free thereafter on a combination of cannabidiol and anti-epileptic medication that predated his critical illness.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION:

Our case report provides a unique perspective on the role of cannabidiol in achieving remission from drug-resistant seizures in critically ill patients.