Cannabidiol
About Cannabidiol
Cannabidiol belongs to a class of medications called 'anticonvulsants,' primarily used to treat seizures (fits) caused by conditions like Dravet syndrome (a severe type of seizure that starts in infancy), Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (a severe type of seizure that starts in early childhood), and tuberous sclerosis complex (a rare genetic condition that causes benign tumours in various body parts). Seizures occur due to a sudden surge of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, leading to temporary changes in movement, emotions, behaviour, and consciousness.
Cannabidiol contains Cannabidiol, which works by calming down overactive nerve cells by controlling calcium levels through specific receptors in the brain. It also enhances the effects of adenosine, a natural brain chemical that promotes relaxation. Thereby, Cannabidiol effectively aids in the treatment of seizures.
Your doctor will advise you on how often you need to take this medicine based on your medical condition. In some cases, Cannabidiol may cause common side effects such as drowsiness, diarrhoea, fever, cough, rash, vomiting, weakness, tiredness, decreased appetite, weight loss, insomnia (inability to sleep), infection, and elevated liver enzymes. Most of these side effects will gradually resolve over time without the need for medical attention. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Before taking Cannabidiol, inform your doctor if you are allergic to any of its ingredients or have elevated liver enzyme levels. Also, let your doctor know if you have/had any medical conditions, such as mood disorder, depression, suicidal thoughts, Parkinson's disease (a brain disorder affecting movement and balance), alcohol or drug addiction, glaucoma (increased eye pressure), or liver problems. Please consult your doctor before taking Cannabidiol if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Cannabidiol is not recommended for use in children under 1 year old. Cannabidiol may cause drowsiness, so avoid driving or operating machinery until you are mentally alert.
Uses of Cannabidiol
• Seizure Treatment: Cannabidiol helps to treat seizures in conditions like Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis complex by reducing neuronal excitability and exhibiting anticonvulsant properties.
Medicinal Benefits
Cannabidiol is an anticonvulsant medication used to treat seizures caused by conditions like Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis complex. It contains Cannabidiol, which helps calm overactive nerve cells by controlling calcium levels through specific receptors in the brain. Additionally, it enhances the effects of adenosine, a natural brain chemical that promotes relaxation. Thus, Cannabidiol effectively aids in the treatment of seizures.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Cannabidiol
- Drowsiness
- Diarrhoea
- Fever
- Cough
- Rash
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Tiredness
- Decreased appetite
- Weight loss
- Insomnia (inability to sleep)
- Infection
- Elevated liver enzymes
Drug Warnings
Do not take Cannabidiol if you are allergic to any of its ingredients or sesame seed oil, or if you have elevated liver enzyme levels. Before taking Cannabidiol, tell your doctor if you are taking any prescription or non-prescription medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements to rule out any side effects and interactions. Additionally, inform your doctor before taking Cannabidiol if you have/had any medical conditions, such as mood disorder, depression, suicidal thoughts, Parkinson's disease (a brain disorder affecting movement and balance), alcohol or drug addiction, glaucoma (increased eye pressure), or liver problems. Do not stop taking Cannabidiol abruptly without consulting your doctor to minimize the risk of increased seizure episodes. Please consult your doctor before taking Cannabidiol if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Cannabidiol may pass into breastmilk, so avoid breastfeeding while using Cannabidiol unless advised by your doctor. Cannabidiol is not recommended in children under 1 year old. Cannabidiol may cause drowsiness, so avoid driving or operating machinery until you are mentally alert.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Cannabidiol may interact with certain medications, such as other seizure medicines (carbamazepine, clobazam, lorazepam, phenytoin, valproate), immunosuppressants (tacrolimus, everolimus), medicines used to treat heartburn (omeprazole), anticancer drugs (mitotane, enzalutamide), pain killers (morphine), antivirals (efavirenz), asthma medications (theophylline), general anaesthetics (propofol), cholesterol-lowering drugs (simvastatin, gemfibrozil, fenofibrate), antibiotics (rifampin, erythromycin, clarithromycin), and a herbal supplement for treating depression (St. John's wart).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid consuming alcohol while taking Cannabidiol, as it may increase the risk of drowsiness and sedation. Limit or avoid consuming grapefruit and grapefruit juice, as it may increase the effects of Cannabidiol.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor before taking Cannabidiol if you have/had any medical conditions, such as mood disorder, depression, suicidal thoughts, Parkinson's disease (a brain disorder affecting movement and balance), alcohol or drug addiction, glaucoma (increased eye pressure), or liver problems.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consuming alcohol while taking Cannabidiol, as it may increase the risk of drowsiness and sedation.
Pregnancy
cautionThere is limited information on how Cannabidiol affects pregnancy. Therefore, avoid taking Cannabidiol if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant unless advised by your doctor or the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionCannabidiol may pass into breastmilk, so it is not recommended for breastfeeding women unless advised by your doctor or the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
unsafeCannabidiol may cause drowsiness, so avoid driving or operating machinery until you are mentally alert.
Liver
cautionCannabidiol should be used with caution in patients with liver impairment. Please inform your doctor if you have a history of liver disease. Your doctor may have to adjust the dose of Cannabidiol based on the severity of your condition.
Kidney
consult your doctorPlease consult your doctor before taking Cannabidiol if you have a history of kidney disease. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and potential risks before prescribing Cannabidiol.
Children
unsafeCannabidiol is not recommended for use in children under 1 year old, as its safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Get sufficient sleep each night to avoid triggering seizures.
- Exercise regularly to improve your overall health and reduce anxiety.
- Drink enough water to stay hydrated.
- Maintain a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.
- Avoid excessive alcohol consumption and quit smoking.
- Do not use heavy machinery or work on ladders during a seizure.
- Practice stress-relief techniques like yoga, meditation, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.
- Always follow your doctor's instructions and talk to them before changing your medicine.
Special Advise
- Cannabidiol may cause harm to the liver. Therefore, it is important to monitor liver function before and during treatment with Cannabidiol.
- When taking Cannabidiol, monitor your mental health closely. If you notice any significant changes in your mood or have suicidal thoughts while taking Cannabidiol, seek immediate medical attention from your doctor.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Seizures (fits): They occur due to a sudden surge of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, leading to temporary changes in movement, emotions, behaviour, and consciousness. They typically last for 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
Dravet syndrome (DS): It is a type of epilepsy (seizure disorder) that starts in infancy or early childhood (usually before 15 months of age) and can cause mild to severe symptoms. Seizures can last for more than 5 minutes, affecting one side of the body and sometimes switching to the other side later.
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS): It is a severe type of epilepsy that typically starts before the age of four. People with LGS experience different types of seizures, delays in learning and development, and unusual brain activity, that can be seen in a test called electroencephalogram (EEG).
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC): It is a rare genetic condition that causes harmless tumours to grow in various body parts, including the brain, nerves, spine, eyes, heart, lungs, kidney, and skin. TSC lasts a lifetime, and most people with it will experience seizures at some point in their lives.
FAQs
Cannabidiol is an anticonvulsant medication used to treat seizures (fits) caused by conditions like Dravet syndrome (a severe type of seizure that starts in infancy), Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (a severe type of seizure that starts in early childhood), and tuberous sclerosis complex (a rare genetic condition that causes benign tumours in various body parts).
Cannabidiol contains Cannabidiol, which works by calming down overactive nerve cells by controlling calcium levels through specific receptors in the brain. It also enhances the effects of adenosine, a natural brain chemical that promotes relaxation. Thereby, Cannabidiol effectively aids in the treatment of seizures.
The common side effects of Cannabidiol include drowsiness, diarrhoea, fever, cough, rash, vomiting, weakness, tiredness, decreased appetite, weight loss, insomnia (inability to sleep), infection, and elevated liver enzymes. Most of these side effects will gradually resolve over time without the need for medical attention. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Do not stop taking Cannabidiol until instructed by your doctor. Stopping Cannabidiol abruptly may cause withdrawal symptoms, such as increased seizure episodes and seizures that last too long (status epilepticus). Your doctor may lower the dose gradually to prevent these symptoms.
Cannabidiol is generally safe when taken as prescribed by your doctor. However, it may cause side effects such as drowsiness or sleep problems. Always follow your doctor's instructions to minimize risks.
No, Cannabidiol is not an opioid. It is an anticonvulsant, a class of medications primarily used to treat seizures. Opioids, on the other hand, are pain-relieving medications.
No, Cannabidiol is not recommended for patients with abnormal liver function, as it may cause harm to the liver. Therefore, inform your doctor before taking Cannabidiol if you have any liver problems. It is important to monitor liver function before and during treatment with Cannabidiol.
