Epidiolex: Information on its form, dosage, administration, and additional details
Epidiolex is a brand-name drug that is prescribed for certain types of seizures in adults and some children. The active ingredient in Epidiolex is cannabidiol (CBD), a component of cannabis that does not produce the psychoactive effects associated with marijuana.
Epidiolex comes as a strawberry-flavoured oral liquid solution and is meant to be taken as a long-term treatment. It belongs to a drug class called cannabinoids.
The Epidiolex dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors, including your body weight and the specific type of seizure disorder you have. For seizures due to Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome, the typical starting dosage is 2.5 mg/kg of body weight twice per day, increasing after one week to 5 mg/kg twice daily. The maximum recommended dose can be increased up to 10 mg/kg twice daily, with weekly increments. For seizures due to tuberous sclerosis complex, the typical maintenance dosage is 12.5 mg/kg of body weight twice per day.
If you have certain liver problems, your doctor may prescribe a lower dosage of Epidiolex. It's important that you do not take more Epidiolex than your doctor prescribes. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember.
Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech to make the medication easier to use. If you're having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Epidiolex in an easy-open container.
Before starting treatment, liver function tests (ALT, AST, bilirubin) should be obtained due to the risk of hepatocellular injury. People taking Epidiolex in clinical trials didn't experience withdrawal symptoms when the trial ended.
If you have questions about your or your child's Epidiolex dosage or treatment plan, talk with your doctor. It's crucial to discuss any concerns you may have to ensure the best possible treatment.
Lastly, if you believe you've taken too much Epidiolex, call your doctor right away.
[1] FDA. (2018). FDA approves first drug comprised of an active ingredient derived from marijuana to treat rare, severe forms of epilepsy. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-drug-comprised-active-ingredient-derived-marijuana-treat-rare-severe-forms [3] FDA. (2020). Epidiolex. Retrieved from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2020/209804s000lbl.pdf [5] Orr, J. R., et al. (2018). Cannabidiol in patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy: an open-label interventional trial. The Lancet Neurology, 17(3), 270-278. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(17)30345-8
- Despite being derived from cannabis, the drug Epidiolex, which is prescribed for certain types of seizures, does not produce psychoactive effects associated with marijuana, positioning it as a potential treatment for neurological disorders like epilepsy and other medical-conditions.
- Scientific research on CBD, the active ingredient in Epidiolex, has shown promising results in managing health-and-wellness issues, such as epilepsy seizures and possibly even other neurological-disorders, given its status as an FDA-approved drug for specific epilepsy syndromes.
- While CBD is being explored for its effectiveness in treating health issues, it's essential to discuss dosage and treatment plans with healthcare professionals, considering the importance of the right dosage based on factors like body weight and specific medical-conditions, such as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome, for which Epidiolex has been specifically approved.
