Medical Cannabis For Epilepsy In The UK

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Did you know around 600,000 people in the UK have epilepsy? This makes it a common neurological condition. Medical cannabis is becoming a popular choice for some. In 2018, the UK government allowed specialist doctors to prescribe cannabis-based medicines, including those for tough-to-treat epilepsy legally. Epidyolex, a medicine with only pure CBD and no THC, is one option. It is now available on the NHS in England, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland for certain epilepsy types.

This move shows that using cannabis for managing seizures is gaining ground in our healthcare system. Groups like Epilepsy Action are working hard to make more options, including THC-inclusive marijuana, available in the UK. It’s a step towards using cannabis more in treating epilepsy³.

Key Takeaways

Approximately 600,000 people in the UK are affected by epilepsy.
Medical cannabis is legally permitted under certain conditions for epilepsy treatment in the UK.
Epidyolex, containing pure CBD, is an NHS-approved treatment for Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
Research and advocacy are ongoing for the inclusion of THC in medical cannabis treatments for epilepsy.
Epilepsy Action continues to support initiatives for better access to cannabis-based epilepsy treatments.

Understanding Medical Cannabis

The use of medical cannabis has changed a lot. It is now helping significantly with relieving epilepsy symptoms. This type of medicine uses different cannabis compounds like CBD and THC to help people feel better.

CBD is particularly interesting to scientists because it can help with epilepsy without making you feel high like THC does, making it a good choice for patients. In the UK, Epidyolex is the only approved cannabis-based medicine for epilepsy, containing only CBD and no THC. This medicine is suggested for people who still have seizures after trying many other epilepsy medicines. It is recommended for adults and children over the age of 2 with certain epilepsy types. For other types, doctors will decide if it’s a good choice based on each case. This careful approach reflects the medical field’s emphasis on research and regulation when selecting cannabis treatments.

THC is the part of cannabis that makes people high. Its use in epilepsy needs careful monitoring. Some children with very severe epilepsy have tried cannabis oil that contains both CBD and THC, but the research on its effectiveness is limited. Also, over-the-counter CBD products are not regulated as medicines, so their quality and strength can vary significantly. These products can also interact with epilepsy medications, which can be dangerous.

While Epidyolex is a clear choice for epilepsy treatment, the effects of THC need careful observation. Especially in young people, THC’s impact on brain development and mental health raises serious concerns. Therefore, more rigorous research on THC and CBD’s use for epilepsy is crucial. Groups like Epilepsy Action aim to ensure that safe and effective cannabis medicines are available to everyone who needs them³.

The Legal Status of Medical Cannabis in the UK

The 2018 legal rescheduling of cannabis-based medicines in the UK was a significant milestone. Now, specialist doctors can prescribe these treatments, with guidance from NICE. This mainly allows products like Epidyolex to be prescribed. It’s the only cannabis-based medicine approved by the NHS for epilepsy treatment. Epidyolex, with pure CBD, works well for specific types of epilepsy like Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndromes. However, access to it on the NHS is limited to a small number of patients who meet specific criteria.

The NHS’s endorsement of Epidyolex demonstrates a cautious acceptance of CBD-based medicines. However, drugs containing THC are reserved for very rare and severe cases, raising questions about the fairness of the UK’s cannabis laws, particularly as THC products require more research.

Even with legalisation, medical cannabis carries risks. Side effects can include reduced appetite, diarrhoea, and fatigue. Nevertheless, the evolving laws represent a gradual yet steady movement towards integrating medical cannabis into epilepsy treatment. Specialist doctors play a crucial role, working within the changing regulations to provide the best care for their patients³.

How Medical Cannabis Can Help with Epilepsy

Research shows that CBD oil benefits people with epilepsy. It is now legal in the UK for specialist doctors to recommend it for epilepsy, especially when other treatments are ineffective. Epidyolex, a THC-free CBD medicine, is recommended by the NHS for conditions like Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes.

Studies suggest CBD can help with severe forms of epilepsy in children. However, NICE states that there is still limited evidence for other types of epilepsy. Ongoing research aims to better understand how CBD can aid in epilepsy treatment.

Doctors exercise caution when using CBD oil. Epidyolex may cause side effects like fatigue, reduced appetite, or gastrointestinal issues. In severe cases, unlicensed oils containing both CBD and THC might be used, but NICE has not fully endorsed these due to concerns about THC’s impact on young brains³.

medical cannabis for epilpesy

Getting a Prescription for Medical Cannabis

In the UK, obtaining a prescription for medical cannabis follows strict guidelines from health authorities. Epidyolex is allowed for epilepsy on the NHS, specifically for severe epilepsy types like Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut, particularly when other treatments have failed.

Specialist doctors are essential in prescribing medical cannabis. They carefully assess whether a patient is suitable for this treatment. For those with hard-to-treat epilepsy, if conventional drugs do not help, medical cannabis may be considered. However, only a small number of patients can access this treatment on the NHS due to the stringent process.

NICE guidelines assist doctors in determining when to prescribe Epidyolex. It is recommended for adults and children over two with severe seizures. This medicine also receives support in Scotland for similar conditions. Despite these guidelines, obtaining a prescription for medical cannabis remains challenging due to the specific criteria.

Doctors favour Epidyolex because of its CBD-only formulation, without THC. The BPNA supports the use of Epidyolex for severe epilepsy cases in children, highlighting its safety and effectiveness compared to THC products. This cautious yet open approach reflects the NHS’s commitment to using Epidyolex in epilepsy treatment⁵.

Clinical Trials and Research

Clinical trials are crucial in demonstrating how cannabis-derived CBD benefits epilepsy patients, leading to the approval of medicines like Epidyolex. One study showed positive results in 92% of cases with treatment-resistant epilepsy. Another trial found that adding CBD helped with seizures in tuberous sclerosis, resolving 78% of them.

Epilepsy Action and other groups advocate for more research, especially into the combined use of THC and CBD. A 30-year study on people with new epilepsy found 75% had successful treatment outcomes. Globally, epilepsy remains a major health issue, affecting about 88% of cases, underscoring the need for effective treatments.

The UK Medical Cannabis Registry’s report on 129 patients indicated positive outcomes, adding credibility to the potential benefits of cannabis-based treatments. Experts from the University of Alabama and Sydney emphasise the need for further studies to expand treatment options for epilepsy effectively⁶.

Availability and Types of Medical Cannabis for Epilepsy

In the UK, Epidyolex is the primary medical cannabis treatment for epilepsy, containing pure CBD without THC. The NHS approves its use for specific epilepsy types in adults and children over 2, particularly for conditions like Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut syndromes, after other treatments have failed.

There are tight restrictions on THC-based cannabis oil due to insufficient evidence of its effectiveness and safety for epilepsy. Some patients may access it through special permissions, but it remains difficult for most to obtain. Patients might consider private cannabis clinics for CBD treatments. However, many over-the-counter CBD products are not well-regulated, potentially lacking quality and safety standards.

It is crucial to be aware of the potential adverse effects of unregulated CBD products, which could interact with other epilepsy medications. Even Epidyolex can cause side effects like drowsiness, diarrhoea, or reduced appetite. Ongoing research aims to ensure the safety of these treatments and explore new options for patients who do not respond to standard treatments.

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