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Cannabis and epilepsy

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Rhys ThomasORCiD, Mark Cunningham

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This is the authors' accepted manuscript of an article that has been published in its final definitive form by BMJ Publishing Group, 2018.

For re-use rights please refer to the publisher's terms and conditions.

Abstract

© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2018. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ. The one-third of people who do not gain seizure control through current treatment options need a revolution in epilepsy therapeutics. The general population appears to be showing a fundamental and rapid shift in its opinion regarding cannabis and cannabis-related drugs. It is quite possible that cannabidiol, licensed in the USA for treating rare genetic epilepsies, may open the door for the widespread legalisation of recreational cannabis. It is important that neurologists understand the difference between artisanal cannabidiol products available legally on the high street and the cannabidiol medications that have strong trial evidence. In the UK in 2018 there are multiple high-profile reports of the response of children taking cannabis-derived medication, meaning that neurologists are commonly asked questions about these treatments in clinic. We address what an adult neurologist needs to know now, ahead of the likely licensing of Epidiolex in the UK in 2019.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Thomas RH, Cunningham MO

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Practical Neurology

Year: 2018

Volume: 18

Issue: 6

Pages: 465-471

Print publication date: 01/12/2018

Online publication date: 18/10/2018

Acceptance date: 02/04/2018

Date deposited: 17/12/2018

ISSN (print): 1474-7758

ISSN (electronic): 1474-7766

Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group

URL: https://doi.org/10.1136/practneurol-2018-002058

DOI: 10.1136/practneurol-2018-002058

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