J Korean Med Sci.  2020 Dec;35(50):e427. 10.3346/jkms.2020.35.e427.

Cannabidiol for Treating LennoxGastaut Syndrome and Dravet Syndrome in Korea

• Koo CM
• Kim SH
• Lee JS
• Park BJ
• Lee HK
• Kim HD
• Kang HC

• KMID: 2509756
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2020.35.e427

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.

Keyword

Cannabidiol; Lennox Gastaut Syndrome; Dravet Syndrome

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Cannabidiol schedule.CBD = cannabidiol, EEG = electroencephalogram.

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  Fig. 2 Study participants' flow chart.LGS = Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, DS = Dravet syndrome.

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  Fig. 3 Outcome of seizures with cannabidiol treatment. (A) At 3 and 6 months of evaluation in LGS. (B) At 3 and 6 months of evaluation in DS.LGS = Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, DS = Dravet syndrome.

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