Cannabidiol in adults with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome: real-world experience

Researchers at a London neurology centre reviewed the records of 79 adults with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy, who received cannabidiol as an add-on treatment.

At the last follow-up, 86% of patients were still on treatment. Across all seizure types, 67.1% achieved at least a 50% reduction in seizures, and seizure-free days rose from 5.7 to 12.5 per month. Seizure-related hospital admissions and injuries declined, and 60.8% of patients showed cognitive or behavioural improvements.

Drowsiness and diarrhoea were the most frequent side effects, often linked to interactions with other anti-seizure medicines, and were usually managed by adjusting those medicines. Fourteen patients were able to stop one or more of their other anti-seizure medicines.