The Long-Term Effectiveness and Safety of Cannabidiol-Enriched Oil in Children With Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

Background: Several retrospective studies on pediatric epilepsy reported positive effects of cannabidiol-enriched artisanal cannabis oil and pure cannabidiol oil on seizure reduction.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of children and adolescents with refractory epilepsy caused by various etiologies who were treated with artisanal cannabis oil during January 2014 to June 2019, with at least one year follow-up.

Results: Of 114 patients, 84 (73.3%) reported some improvement in seizure frequency at some point during treatment. Fifty-one (59%) of the 86 patients who continued treatment for at least one year showed >50% improvement in seizure frequency. Seizure etiology, seizure type, and patients’ age and sex were not found to be associated with the response to cannabidiol-enriched cannabis oil. Side effects were minor, and positive effects beyond seizure reduction were noted.

Conclusions: Artisanal cannabidiol-enriched cannabis may be an effective and safe long-term treatment for refractory epilepsy.