Effectiveness of Highly Purified Cannabidiol in Refractory and Super-Refractory Status Epilepticus: A Case Series

Title:Effectiveness of Highly Purified Cannabidiol in Refractory and Super-Refractory Status Epilepticus: A Case Series

Volume: 23

Author(s): Giovanni Di Mauro, Giovanni Vietri, Loreta Quaranta, Fabio Placidi, Francesca Izzi, Alessandro Castelli, Andrea Pagano, Francesca Leonardis, Viviana De Angelis, Ciro Bianco, Maria Grazia Celeste, Nicola Biagio Mercuri and Claudio Liguori*

Affiliation:

• Epilepsy Centre, Neurology Unit, University Hospital Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford 82, 00133, Rome, Italy
• Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Viale Oxford 82, 00133, Rome, Rome, Italy

Abstract: Introduction: Refractory and super-refractory status epilepticus are medical emergencies that must be promptly treated in consideration of their high mortality and morbidity rate. Nevertheless, the available evidence of effective treatment of these conditions is scarce. Among novel antiseizure medications (ASMs), highly purified cannabidiol (hpCBD) has shown noteworthy efficacy in reducing seizures in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), Dravet syndrome (DS), and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC).

Case Presentation: Here, we present two cases of effective use of hpCBD in both refractory and super- refractory status epilepticus. The administration of the nasogastric tube permitted the resolution of status epilepticus without adverse events. At 6-month follow-up, both patients were on hpCBD treatment, which continued to be efficacious for treating seizures.

Conclusion: According to our experience, hpCBD should be taken into consideration as an add-on therapy of RSE and SRSE while also considering the possibility of maintaining this treatment during the follow-up of patients. However, more studies and real-world experiences are needed to better understand its effectiveness in this setting and the interaction with other ASMs.

Cite this article as:

Di Mauro Giovanni, Vietri Giovanni, Quaranta Loreta, Placidi Fabio, Izzi Francesca, Castelli Alessandro, Pagano Andrea, Leonardis Francesca, De Angelis Viviana, Bianco Ciro, Celeste Grazia Maria, Mercuri Biagio Nicola and Liguori Claudio*, Effectiveness of Highly Purified Cannabidiol in Refractory and Super-Refractory Status Epilepticus: A Case Series, CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets 2024; 23 () . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0118715273304077240603115521