Cannabidiol for Treating LennoxGastaut Syndrome and Dravet Syndrome in Korea
10.3346/jkms.2020.35.e427
- Author:
Chung Mo KOO
1
;
Se Hee KIM
;
Joon Soo LEE
;
Byung-Joo PARK
;
Hae Kook LEE
;
Heung Dong KIM
;
Hoon-Chul KANG
Author Information
1. Division of Pediatric Emergency, Department of Pediatrics, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2020;35(50):e427-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:For the first time in Korea, we aimed to study the efficacy and safety of cannabidiol (CBD), which is emerging as a new alternative in treating epileptic encephalopathies.
Methods:This study was conducted retrospectively with patients between the ages of 2–18 years diagnosed with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) or Dravet syndrome (DS) were enrolled from March to October 2019, who visited outpatient unit at 3 and 6 months to evaluate medication efficacy and safety based on caregiver reporting. Additional evaluations, such as electroencephalogram and blood tests, were conducted at each period also. CBD was administered orally at a starting dose of 5 mg/kg/day, and was maintained at 10 mg/kg/day.
Results:We analyzed 34 patients in the LGS group and 10 patients in the DS group between the ages of 1.2–15.8 years. In the 3-month evaluation, the overall reduction of seizure frequency in the LGS group was 52.9% (>50% reduction in 32.3% of the cases), and 29.4% in the 6-month evaluation (more than 50% reduction in 20.6%). In DS group, the reduction of seizure frequency by more than 50% was 30% and 20% in the 3-month and 6-month evaluation, respectively. Good outcomes were defined as the reduction of seizure frequency by more than 50% and similar results were observed in both LGS and DS groups. Adverse events were reported in 36.3% of total patients of which most common adverse events were gastrointestinal problems. However, no life-threatening adverse event was reported in both LGS and DS during the observation period.
Conclusion:In this first Korean study, CBD was safe and tolerable for use and could be expected to potentially reduce the seizure frequency in pediatric patients with LGS or DS.
