An Update on Epidiolex—Medical Marijuana

GW Pharmaceuticals is in Phase 3 of testing Epidiolex, their form of cannabis (medical marijuana) especially for children with a rare form of epilepsy called Dravet syndrome.  This is the kind of epilepsy that Charlotte Figi, of “Charlotte’s Web” fame had. 

In the British study, results are positive.  There was a reduction of 39% of convulsive seizures with the treatment versus 15% with the placebo.

GW will soon request a meeting with the Food and Drug Administration to seek approval as an officially recognized drug to treat Dravet syndrome.  Currently, no treatments are approved by the FDA.

Resources 

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-gw-pharma-cannabis-idUSKCN0WG16Z

http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/types-epilepsy-syndromes/dravet-syndrome

http://time.com/3264691/medical-marijauna-epilepsy-research-charlottes-web-study/

http://soosepilepsycorner.blogspot.com/2014/09/medical-marijuana-and-reminder-about.html